Leak with a Rockcrusher cover and lubelocker...

dgeist · **Posted:** Fri Dec 24, 2010 5:38 pm

So, I finally got around to putting on my rockcrusher diff cover that I've had for nearly a year. It's cold here and my garage is full, so I paid someone else to do the service rather than lay in the driveway. They installed my diff cover and re-used the lube-locker that was already there and filled with my provided gear oil.

A day later, I noticed a oily spot on the driveway after a short rain. No big deal... I'm sure there's a little oil on the outside of the diff and it'll drip off. Well, a week later and it's still dripping. I've never had a leak before, so I'm wondering what the likely suspects are so I don't burn too much time troubleshooting (have a newborn and VERY little spare time).

- Do the RockCrushers tend to be non-flat and require RTV to seal well?
- Do the 8.25 housings warp and not mate to another piece of steel like the new cover?
- Are the lubelocker gaskets not really re-usable if you change diff covers (slightly different shape)?
- Did the shop likely just not torque things right (what should the torque on the diff bolts be)?

Dan

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 24, 2010 5:41 pm

dgeist wrote:

- Are the lubelocker gaskets not really re-usable if you change diff covers (slightly different shape)?
-

Your issue right there.Heard and seen many issues with those gaskets,no matter what they say they are really only a one time use only gasket.Better off using Permatex's Ultra Gray RTV.

CIMARRON13 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 24, 2010 6:12 pm

I had them on my Rubicon and they sucked! I had Rockcrusher diff covers as well. I don't recommend Lubelockers to anyone.

dgeist · **Posted:** Fri Dec 24, 2010 6:19 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

dgeist wrote:

- Are the lubelocker gaskets not really re-usable if you change diff covers (slightly different shape)?
-

Your issue right there.Heard and seen many issues with those gaskets,no matter what they say they are really only a one time use only gasket.Better off using Permatex's Ultra Gray RTV.

Yeah.. I switched to lubelocker mostly for convenience, not for performance, I've never had RTV leak. I DO have a spare. Y'all think if I switch it out for a fresh gasket I'll be in business? Worst case, I waste some gear oil figuring out the problem and end up with some good RTV as mentioned.

Dan

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 25, 2010 5:51 am

on my 5th or 6th change with my LL on my KJ and 3rd on the LL on my ranger

my guess is it was a "PEBKAC" or more so problem between the surface and the installer

if it's leaking either they didn't clean the surface of old rtv, or didn't torque it right

drop it, reseal it with ultra grey like troy said, and see if you can't get your money back is all I know to tell ya aside from dropping it, making sure they cleaned it and reinstalling it and torquing it correctly

i also hose off the cover/diff with brake cleaner after i'm done.. neither of them are even damp in the crease from seepage

dgeist · **Posted:** Sat Dec 25, 2010 4:42 pm

JeepinJarhead03 wrote:

my guess is it was a "PEBKAC" or more so problem between the surface and the installer

if it's leaking either they didn't clean the surface of old rtv, or didn't torque it right

drop it, reseal it with ultra grey like troy said, and see if you can't get your money back is all I know to tell ya aside from dropping it, making sure they cleaned it and reinstalling it and torquing it correctly

i also hose off the cover/diff with brake cleaner after i'm done.. neither of them are even damp in the crease from seepage

Yeah, I agree on the "general user error" suspicion, but I don't want to blame the shop immediately until I checked with you folks. It didn't have any RTV previously (I did a GOOD job cleaning it before the lubelocker was installed, and it wasn't leaking or moist before). Just need to find some time to work on it, now.

Dan

m_volyrakis · **Posted:** Sun Dec 26, 2010 3:25 pm

I was locking into lube-locker last night and I'm quite sure that I read in some fine print... that reusing it was not recommended... I was like "WTF!"

dgeist · **Posted:** Tue Dec 28, 2010 3:47 pm

m_volyrakis wrote:

I was locking into lube-locker last night and I'm quite sure that I read in some fine print... that reusing it was not recommended... I was like "WTF!"

Well, the gaskets are designed to make the process fast, easy, and clean, not cheap

CRD Joe · **Posted:** Tue Dec 28, 2010 4:34 pm

Hey guys what torque spec should those cover bolts be torques to? That might have something to do with these failing.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Tue Dec 28, 2010 5:33 pm

pretty sure the lubelocker torque specs are in the 15-20 range, stock cover w/ rtv FSM says 30

Leak with a Rockcrusher cover and lubelocker...

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