What you need for a rear differential fluid change - Page 6

005sti · 03-08-2007, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 005sti

just talked to the parts and service guys at the dealership when i picked up my diff fluid, they were out of the gasket sealer for the rear diff and they said that they often don't use it, they just torque it down and that it works fine. they did my rear diff last time and i have had no leaks. any thoughts, experiences?

anyone care to comment on this?

Mykl · 03-08-2007, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 005sti

anyone care to comment on this?

I don't use sealant on my engine drain plug.

005sti · 03-08-2007, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mykl

I don't use sealant on my engine drain plug.

...was referring to the rear diff, not the engine oil drain plug.

Mykl · 03-08-2007, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 005sti

...was referring to the rear diff, not the engine oil drain plug.

But they both hold oil. Engine oil is thinner than rear end oil and the drain plug on my engine keeps the fluid in. So why should I think it'll leak through the plugs on the diff?

005sti · 03-09-2007, 03:40 AM

because there are no crush washers for the rear diff. the crush washer for the oil pan drain plug expands when hot and prevents leaks.

Mykl · 03-09-2007, 05:46 AM

Then use a bit of copper RTV.

005sti · 03-09-2007, 07:05 AM

thanks, it just so happens tha the friend whose lift i will use has some rtv

Mykl · 03-09-2007, 10:03 AM

That's what I used for the gearbox drainplugs... I don't think it's leaking.

scoob · 03-10-2007, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 005sti

because there are no crush washers for the rear diff. the crush washer for the oil pan drain plug expands when hot and prevents leaks.

I just changed my rear diff fluid an hour ago & I didn't use sealant (dealer didn't have it). I drove the car around for 15 minutes to give everything time to heat up then came back & checked for leaks and its fine. There are a lot of threads on the plug so I don't see why it would leak if the plugs are torqued correctly. I'll check it daily over the next week to report if anything changes though.

scoob · 03-10-2007, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 005sti

because there are no crush washers for the rear diff. the crush washer for the oil pan drain plug expands when hot and prevents leaks.

I just changed my rear diff fluid an hour ago & I didn't use sealant (dealer didn't have it). I drove the car around for 15 minutes to give everything time to heat up then came back & checked for leaks and its fine. There are a lot of threads on the plug so I don't see why it would leak if the plugs are torqued correctly. I'll check it daily over the next week to report if anything changes though.

On a side note, one of the sales guys saw me leaving with the fluid and asked me if I was changing it myself. When I told him I was, he gave me a

like it was a serious issue. Weird.

005sti · 03-10-2007, 10:19 AM

thanks for the info. i'm changing mine today. not sure if i will use sealant.

005sti · 03-10-2007, 10:20 AM

thanks for the info. i'm changing mine today. not sure if i will use sealant.

Mykl · 03-10-2007, 05:02 PM

Eh, if you've got some copper RTV sitting around you may as well. Can't hurt anything.

005sti · 03-11-2007, 06:22 AM

i decided not to after i took it out to drop the fluid because it was pretty hard to remove and 33 ftlbs made the bolt feel pretty damned snug. i didn't want to be stuck trying to remove it next time. i'll post here if i notice any leaks

***Digitalfiend*** · 03-16-2007, 12:05 PM

Add this thread to the "Drivetrain Threads of Interest" thread. Good info.

03-16-2007, 12:05 PM	#90
*Digitalfiend* Super Moderator Car: 08 DGM STI Fav Mod: My wife :) Location: Brooklin, Ontario Posts: 5,842 IWSTI Addict since: Oct 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	Add this thread to the "Drivetrain Threads of Interest" thread. Good info. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

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03-09-2007, 03:40 AM	#80
005sti Senior STI Driver Fav Mod: Agile protune Location: vahbeach Posts: 394 IWSTI Addict since: Dec 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	because there are no crush washers for the rear diff. the crush washer for the oil pan drain plug expands when hot and prevents leaks.

03-09-2007, 05:46 AM	#81
Mykl S204 Racer Car: '04.5 STi Fav Mod: Whiteline steering rack bushings Location: Montgomery, Al Posts: 3,149 IWSTI Addict since: Apr 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Then use a bit of copper RTV.

03-09-2007, 07:05 AM	#82
005sti Senior STI Driver Fav Mod: Agile protune Location: vahbeach Posts: 394 IWSTI Addict since: Dec 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	thanks, it just so happens tha the friend whose lift i will use has some rtv

03-09-2007, 10:03 AM	#83
Mykl S204 Racer Car: '04.5 STi Fav Mod: Whiteline steering rack bushings Location: Montgomery, Al Posts: 3,149 IWSTI Addict since: Apr 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	That's what I used for the gearbox drainplugs... I don't think it's leaking.

03-10-2007, 10:19 AM	#86
005sti Senior STI Driver Fav Mod: Agile protune Location: vahbeach Posts: 394 IWSTI Addict since: Dec 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	thanks for the info. i'm changing mine today. not sure if i will use sealant.

03-10-2007, 10:20 AM	#87
005sti Senior STI Driver Fav Mod: Agile protune Location: vahbeach Posts: 394 IWSTI Addict since: Dec 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	thanks for the info. i'm changing mine today. not sure if i will use sealant.

03-10-2007, 05:02 PM	#88
Mykl S204 Racer Car: '04.5 STi Fav Mod: Whiteline steering rack bushings Location: Montgomery, Al Posts: 3,149 IWSTI Addict since: Apr 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Eh, if you've got some copper RTV sitting around you may as well. Can't hurt anything.

03-11-2007, 06:22 AM	#89
005sti Senior STI Driver Fav Mod: Agile protune Location: vahbeach Posts: 394 IWSTI Addict since: Dec 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	i decided not to after i took it out to drop the fluid because it was pretty hard to remove and 33 ftlbs made the bolt feel pretty damned snug. i didn't want to be stuck trying to remove it next time. i'll post here if i notice any leaks