Fluid change on GM 10 bolt and 14 bolt

[DBear]

Hey guys, I am about to change fluid on both axles, front GM 10 bolt and rear 14 bolt. Do I need to buy gaskets or do I just use RTV gasket maker...or do I use both??? Probably dumb question but needed to ask. Thanks in advance.

[b454rat]

I use just RTV. if yah got the gasket, do both sides with a thin layer and will be OK.

[Redcap]

I never bother with the gaskets on front/rearends, just a good bead of RTV. No leaks.

[DBear]

Cool....I was hoping that i wouldnt need a gasket, but just RTV.

I plan on spraying the inside of the carrier with brake kleen....is that the best way to clean out all the excess oil and junk? Thanks again guys!

[76k10]

I've never understood using RTV on rear end covers. The gasket is cheaper, easier, more likely not to leak, and it can often be reused after servicing. Also, a gasket does not require the surfaces to be perfectly oil free.

When I had my car's 10 Bolt built the builder used RTV, LEAKED. Replaced with a proper gasket, no leak. I was unhappy when I saw my truck's rear end had RTV used on the cover. Now it's going to be double the work when I need to change the fluid scraping all that crap off.

[willett]

I also use RTV.

I have never had a problem.

[DBear]

If you guys are using RTV obvisously.....what color? Red, Blue......Thanks again.

[b454rat]

don't really matter, but I've used blue and black and never had any problems....

[Stocker]

My new favorite. It's made specially for use with gear oil. No gasket needed, but I like a thin coat on each side of a gasket.

[Rubble]

RTV,because more times than enough.I have the cover off on a sat eve or Sunday & I live out in the country 30 miles from any parts store.I always have 2 or 3 tubes in the shop.Make sure surfaces are clean & your good....
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[Redcap]

Originally Posted by 76k10

I've never understood using RTV on rear end covers. The gasket is cheaper, easier, more likely not to leak, and it can often be reused after servicing. Also, a gasket does not require the surfaces to be perfectly oil free.

When I had my car's 10 Bolt built the builder used RTV, LEAKED. Replaced with a proper gasket, no leak. I was unhappy when I saw my truck's rear end had RTV used on the cover. Now it's going to be double the work when I need to change the fluid scraping all that crap off.

If you can't make it seal up with RTV, you are doing it wrong. Not only that, but the RTV solution is often free...most of us have 2-8 tubes of the stuff laying around. And really...how hard is it to wipe a rag across the mating surfaces before putting the cover on?

[andrewmp6]

A box of razor blades and tube of RTV are cheap and have a million uses.In a pinch i needed a water pump gaskets and didn't get them.Well i used the cardboard box from the water pump as a gasket but covered it in RTV.I was going to replace it when it leaked but it lasted 3 years like that so i never bothered yet.

[Rubble]

When I was still trucking in mid 90s,there were three of us running together across Saskatchewan,my buddy's drive axle flange started to leak & we were hours away from a truck shop.We ran the inside dual up on a 2x4,pulled axle out & cleaned,sealed up with RTV,topped up diff.Back on road under an hour...no gasket needed,no more leaky..
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[76k10]

Originally Posted by Redcap

If you can't make it seal up with RTV, you are doing it wrong. Not only that, but the RTV solution is often free...most of us have 2-8 tubes of the stuff laying around. And really...how hard is it to wipe a rag across the mating surfaces before putting the cover on?

A tube of RTV runs about $7-8 here and a gasket is $5. Hardly free. I prefer to purchase a gasket once and be to take the cover on and off with minimal work. Not scraping RTV off and reapplying each time.

If you can't make it seal with a dry gasket, you are doing something wrong.

[argonaut]

I don't know about you guys but every dry gasket I've tried to remove after it has been baked on has not been a fun experience. It is always a pain to get the caked on residue off of the mating surfaces. Many OEMs use solely RTV material for cover gaskets like this. I use the ultra black only on my covers. Use a thin bead, snug the bolts, then final torque after a couple hours. No leaks so far. And when I do pull a cover I can rub and peel the RTV off with my fingers and a rag.

I'm not saying dry paper gaskets don't seal well. Its just easier to clean up and replace rtv, especially in uncomfortable positions underneath a pickup.
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[bilfman]

Neither is right or wrong. You can get both to seal and both have their pros and cons. Its a matter of preference. The OP wanted to know if he can just use RTV, the answer is yes.

Now if we were talking head gaskets...........