I was wondering if anybody out there knew the ft. lbs. torque on diff. cover bolts? Does the factory use RTV w/ re-useable rubber gasket? I am doing my 15,000 mile fluid change and was concerned on doing it right. Repair Manual=$110.00 yikes. So i was hoping for knowledge input, thanks.





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2003 HO 6-speed QC, Lt. Almond Pearl, SB w/ Fiberglass cap and running boards to match. 2500 4x4 3:73 Limited slip BFG 245/70/17R= Hard to find locally( need more aggresive ones)

 

I used an RTV sealant on mine and tightened the bolts down tight enough to where it wouldn't leak. Been that way for 15k hard miles and haven't had a leak yet.

 

Dealers don't use RTV sealant, I had my dealer pull the diff cover at 1k because the diff was 1/4 full and gear lube was black. They pulled cover with me there, cleaned completely out, checked gears for damage, cleaned gasket, replaced and torg. Unfortunately I didn't ask how much. But they definately didn't use sealant. Service manager did tell me however that some 03 trucks he's seen didn't have gasket, but used RTV? If you remove and tear the gasket, use RTV instead of buying an expensive gasket.

 

30 ft-lbs for the 11.5" and 10.5" AAM. Also 30 ft-lbs for the 9¼" front.

 

Thanks for the input. This is the last part to do on my 15k check-up. I have'nt let the dealers touch her since I drove away on pick up day. Not one problem has come up, just proformed regular maintenance. I,m considering changing air filter sooner then perscribed in manual. Was quite dirty, fuel filter was fine for 15k. I have friends in Colorado with CTD's, but I bought a gas job (opps) in 2000, since it was a 9-month wait back then. After putting up with 11.5mpg on that 2500 for 3 years I traded it . The wife was'nt happy at first, I won her over with 18mpg on winter fuel and 19.5 in summer. Mixed driving and 1000lbs of carpentry tools.

 

Do not use RTV on a third gen truck. The gasket is reusable and requires no sealant of any kind.

 

Edit - tony is correct with the specs below. I was looking at the wrong axle, my bad. 24 for plug and 30 for bolts =]

 

I have the 2003 service manual and 2004 service manual, both list the same torque values. In the 2004 service manual the following values are given:

Page 3-63 9¼" Front Axle
Differential Cover Bolts - 30 ft-lbs
Fill Hole Plug - 24 ft-lbs

Page 3-120 10½" Rear Axle
Differential Cover Bolts - 30 ft-lbs
Fill Hole Plug - 24 ft-lbs

Page 3-148 11½" Rear Axle
Differential Cover Bolts - 30 ft-lbs
Fill Hole Plug - 24 ft-lbs

The torque values listed in these "Torque Specifications" tables also match the torque values given in the body of the various repair procedures, so I don't think it is a typo. In addition, the torque values are also given in metric units. Converting the metric units to english units also results in a match in the torque values. The torque values are also reasonable based on the fastener size and material.

I try to be careful, and I don't give input without something to back it up.