eaton third cork gasket question

[shelby987]

I put my eaton rear back together last night. When i went to get the gaskets for the third and the rear diff I was told all they had access to anymore was the felpro paper gaskets (much thinner than the original cork gasket for the third member to axle flange). I used the felpro paper gasket for both the rear cover and the third member, I applied a good bead of silicone around the bolt holes and axle mating surface and to my surprise, even filled with synthetic after 20 miles of driving no leaks.

My question is this though (it came to me after I had buttoned everything up) am I going to be in trouble with the thickness difference between the cork and paper gasket (possible binding of the axles or wear on the wheel bearings). I would rather not pull a non-leaking assembly apart, but I stuffed a 4.10 locker back in there, and if I have to pull it apart to spare any wear/damage to it, I will do it.

[Longhorn Man]

That's actually a good question, however, I think you'll be fine. Here's a bump so anyone else who may know a bit more on rears can say it's cool or uncool.
On a side note... did you put sealant on the bolt threads too? They will seep oil.

[shelby987]

Yes, I did, I put sealent on each and every one of those darn things and circled each hole with a good bead of silicone (VERY pleased to see that it didn't leak at all during my initial run.......I also painted the rear cover gloss black and installed stainless bolts and washers......looks pretty good!

I forgot to mention, I also jacked the wheels of the truck off the ground completely and spun the wheels by hand and didn't feel any binding (a little friction between the drums and pads likely from dirt) but the wheels spun freely and I didn't hear any "unusual" noises, and this was before I installed the rear cover.

The only noise I heard while driving was the metal ratcheting I was told is typical of a locker.

[Longhorn Man]

Still spculation... but I'd imagine you are OK.

[GREASEMONKEY72]

i dont think theyre close enough to the cover to touch without the cork which is like 1/8 thick but when you tighten it ends up almost as flat as the paper is before and after you tightin it, just my thoughts

goodluck and hope you dont have to pull it apart for nothin

[shelby987]

cover to gear clearance isn't my concern, I know I have almost 1/2" there (had to pound a dent out of th cover, almost 1/2" and there was only a small scoring from the gear). My concern was any possible binding of the axles from the differential being 1/8" further back than the factory position, and possibly binding the axles up or worse, putting stress on my axle bearings.

[airdale94]

Some silicones aren't compatible with synthetic gear oil.