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rear end cover question

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Old 04-27-2011, 05:35 PM
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Hi guys, There is something I was hoping might be cleared up for me here. Putting on the differential housing cover, I have seen it recommended in one place to make sure the openings indicated in the picture are not covered by a gasket, saying it is important for axle bearing lubrication. In the Haynes manual, and in other write-ups this is never mentioned. Looking at it, the factory cover and my aftermarket cover (girdle), neither have any channels fluid could flow through. It just mates up flush with the housing. I don't see how fluid could get through in any case through the openings indicated. If I am wrong, I'm wrong. I am just trying to avoid damage or premature wear because of something simple and easy to avoid.
Old 04-27-2011, 05:51 PM
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those holes are for factory OEM assembly of the rear. A 'spreader' tool is inserted in them to slightly warp open the housing to allow easy insertion of the carrier,bearings,shims.
Old 04-27-2011, 06:16 PM
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ahh, thanks. Made me wonder because no gasket I have ever seen had holes there. Good to know, thanks
Old 04-27-2011, 06:21 PM
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Old 04-27-2011, 06:37 PM
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Originally Posted by ZForce1
ahh, thanks. Made me wonder because no gasket I have ever seen had holes there. Good to know, thanks
gasket? i didn't even know they made gaskets for the 10 bolt.
Old 04-28-2011, 04:51 PM
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oh, I know there are two schools of thought on the gasket issue - some prefer to just put a gasket in, while others swear by rtv. I don't believe either is wrong. If it leaks, you'll know. If you look for it, of course.
Old 04-30-2011, 06:24 PM
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I've even heard of guys swearing buy laying RTV down on the housing than the paper gasket, than RTV on the cover and assemble. Sounds like overkill to me and almost too must RTV but who am i to question?
Old 04-30-2011, 06:45 PM
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i swore by RTV..........but after leak after leak........no matter HOW clean i got the mating surface.......finally went back to a gasket.......HAPPY DAYS
Old 05-03-2011, 07:36 AM
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SLP/I use RTV on the 10 bolt in 76 k miles/8-10 time off/on never a single leak
do not remenber the # on the RTV, it is made/used by one of the bike makers
for Head gasket replacement
Johnny
Old 05-03-2011, 11:05 AM
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we use gaskets on all the sheetmetal(stock style) covers. if you are installing and aluminum girdle type cover, then they do not want a gasket used in that application- just rtv only.

when installing a used sheetmetal type cover, make sure the area around the bolt holes is flat so there is less chance of leakage between the bolts. you can use a hammer and lightly massage the material so its flat again. doesn't hurt to use a little rtv sealer on this as well.




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