Differential Gasket vs RTV Black

[cuda-cable]

folks, when you put your diff back into the axle housing should you use the
gasket' provided  or just use RTV black and assemble steal to steal? Also how much torq to the nuts? ..........thx........

[74 340 4speed]

I assume this is a 8 3/4 rear?  I don't know about the exact torque, but I would use both, the gasket and the silicone.  I've changed the gear oil in several vehicles and haven't had problems with leaks when both the gasket and the silicone was used.  I would let it cure for a full day before driving the vehicle though.

[Bullitt-]

Service manual gives 45 foot pounds for Carrier to Axle Housing Bolt Nuts on 8 3/4 rear

[tactransman]

I don't recommend using silicone with a gasket unless there are imperfections deeper than what the gasket can seal.(and then only where the imperfection is)
When you put silicone on a gasket,you lubricate the gasket to where it wants to squeeze out from between the two surfaces instead of being compressed in between. I've seen it on tranny pan gaskets hundreds of times.    

[Moparal]

I have never used a gasket on the rear since 1975. Get it clean use rtv, let it fly. Oh and if you don't have a tq wrench, A 3/8ths 8" wratchet and 9/16ths socket will get the tq you need.  You would have to pull godzilla hard to snap a stud/bolt off at 45ft tq . Pull em very tight and pull em all the same by hand. A mechanic after a while has a built in tq wrench in his pulls and knows his or hers limits.

[ShelbyDogg]

I don't use a torque wrench on those either.  If you go too tight with those, they don't snap. they strip the threads, then you have to pull every nut and axle back off to channge it.

I don't use a gasket either just lots of brake clean on the surfaces first.  Also, clean out the remaining gear lube at the bottom of the housing. It's that remaining lube that gets on your surface then causes the leak at the bottom.

[vinb]

Gasket for 8 3/4, Ratech #5101R. no need for silicone,  gasket is a little thick than more others..