Are the diff gaskets reusable?

[dcs1968]

I am getting ready to do the first front and rear diff and transfer case service on my signature truck since purchasing and I have a question about the diff cover gaskets. Are they reusable gaskets? I priced them out on Geno's Garage and they are around $30 a piece! For that price they can't be a standard paper gasket right??? In the past on my 2nd gen gasser Ram I used the Mopar flange sealant and never had problems with leaks. I wanted to see what others were doing. Thanks for any input.

Dave

 

[Killgore]

Yes, they are reusable; a good rubber gasket.

 

[Jared Herzog]

Reusable. I know Ram wants the gears inspected but since i was changing the fluid at 8800 miles due to fluid failure and diff chatter i just used a fluid pump. I will probably open the diff cover at the recommended fluid change interval. But, the changes that are between those recommendations i just use the pump.

 

[Cummins12V98]

IMHO the fluid RAM uses is JUNK! I did a Blackstone test and at 24K the two Viscosity tests were out of range.

 

[Dasmoeturhead]

What may I ask caused the dilution of your rear end gear oil, for the viscosity to drop?

 

[TCDiesel]

IMHO the fluid RAM uses is JUNK! I did a Blackstone test and at 24K the two Viscosity tests were out of range.

I'm with 12V98, I changed My rears at 10-12K miles and the factory lube is ugly, the front BC I rarely use 4x4 for lengthy time periods is good at 50-70K miles

I'm always pulling ,So I think the shear break down of factory lube is link to this. Yep if I don't rotate tires every 5K My rears at done @ 25K miles when the front look like they could make 40-45K miles....

 

[Cummins12V98]

What may I ask caused the dilution of your rear end gear oil, for the viscosity to drop?

For one I did run the fluid 24K that was too long. The gears started grabbing at 20K, my mistake was the manual said 24 KM NOT 24K. But I can guarantee you the AMZ/OIL 75/110 Severe gear will be perfectly fine in 24K when I replace it. I will have the fluid tested and post results.

I towed almost 1/2 of those miles at 33K combined. It's supposed to be synthetic factory fill but it is sure not a high quality!

There was no dilution the diff was full as I broke the drain plug loose before cover removal. I have never had fluid LOOK so bad at such a short drain interval.

My 11 Dually I went with the AMZ/OIL at about 10K and removed my MagHytec cover at 65K and re used the fluid with replacing the stock cover. The gears and fluid looked GREAT.

 

[Jared Herzog]

My diff started grabbing like crazy at 5000 miles. Dumped fluid at 8811. Fluid looked bad but had no water. Here are some photos. I am now over 17,000 miles and no more grabbing yet. #ad

 

[DonFitzwater]

I want a better explanation of "Grabbing" by the differential that some of you are using? These diffs have no clutches to grab so please enlighten me. I've run all my 3rd and 4th gen Rams beyond 20k mile diff lube changes and have never noticed any problems with the oil or lubrication of components.

 

[Jared Herzog]

Maybe i should use the word chatter. But, my truck would sort of crow hop any time i was turning going forward or backwards. It was worse with a trailer. It was a sort of shake from the rear diff. Pretty odd feeling. It was gone immediately with new fluid. It could be compared to being in four wheel drive and turning on too grippy of a surface.
Edit: my truck is a drw so it may be made worse by the outer tires needing to travel further in turns.

 

[sag2]

The factory fill fluid has looked like it has water in it for years. It's been a while since I covered it at May Madness but it looks milky from the paste that is used at the factory to check the gear pattern. They don't wash it off before filling the differential and it is a tan color that makes the fluid look contaminated. It's nothing wrong with the fluid and does not harm anything. Too bad they don't make red lead paste any longer!

 

[Cummins12V98]

I want a better explanation of "Grabbing" by the differential that some of you are using? These diffs have no clutches to grab so please enlighten me. I've run all my 3rd and 4th gen Rams beyond 20k mile diff lube changes and have never noticed any problems with the oil or lubrication of components.

From taking off with the wheel turned either right of left it has a binding grabbing sensation somewhat like having 4wd engaged and turning on pavement. Cold fluid no issue but when towing it was very noticeable.

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[kthaxton]

I think Jared's theory (see above) may play a part in this....it would seem logical that a DRW is more prone to a "chatter" sensation when combined with a limited slip, while turning.

 

[Jared Herzog]

Mine was worse as the diff heated up. It was hard to notice cold but very obvious when hot and after towing. I have not had any issue with the new fluid.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Mine was worse as the diff heated up. It was hard to notice cold but very obvious when hot and after towing. I have not had any issue with the new fluid.

Did you use the SevereGear?

 

[Jared Herzog]

Did you use the SevereGear?

I mixed half amsoil severe gear 75w90 and half valvoline 75w140 both gl-5 oils to get it a bit thicker hoping it would help with the grabbing feeling. I did not use friction modifier as some have done that they report helped. I just had the amsoil on hand so bought the valvoline to thicken to a 75w115 approximate mix. Next time i will just go amaoil severe gear 75w90 and see how it does. The bad looking stuff was the factory fill with 8811 miles. The mix i used has been great so far.

 

[Cummins12V98]

If you are towing a lot or heavy 75-110 is the way to go.

 

[dcs1968]

Lots of good info here.... Thanks!

 

[rynosback]

If you are towing a lot or heavy 75-110 is the way to go.

Is that what you are using? Wouldn't a good synthetic like Mobil 1 75w90 work well?

 

[Cummins12V98]

Is that what you are using? Wouldn't a good synthetic like Mobil 1 75w90 work well?

I use AMZ/OIL 75/110 Severe Gear. The first pic has 65K on gears towing more than 1/2 of its miles 28-29K combined on 11 RAM. The AMZ/OIL had 55K+ the gears still have machining marks.

Second pic is my 15 with 24K with 1/2 miles towing 33K combined. The OE fluid was TRASHED per Blackstone report. Gears were VERY polished.

The Severe Gear is considered to be one of the top GL's on the market.

Third pic results of OE with Viscosity and flashpoint off the chart, BAD!!!

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