# Differential drain -- gasket?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/differential-drain-gasket/61762>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** montero, mitsubishi\
**Created:** [February 23, 2011, 2:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/differential-drain-gasket/61762 "2011-02-23T02:39:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![SpecialEd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@SpecialEd](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SpecialEd)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 2:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/differential-drain-gasket/61762/1 "2011-02-23T02:39:33Z")

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While changing the lube in the front and rear differentials this weekend, I noticed that the rear had a plug but no gasket. I would have expected a crush washer or some sort of gasket. I tried to see if it was just stuck to the housing, but I couldn’t get one off. Shouldn’t there be one?  
  
  
  
 I put it back without one, and it’s not oozing, but …

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**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 2:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/differential-drain-gasket/61762/2 "2011-02-23T02:47:33Z")

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My Ford explorer also didn’t have a gasket. But, it was put on at the factory with RTV. I scraped off all the ‘gorilla snot’ and replaced it with a real gasket from Fel-Pro for $6.00 at Autozone.

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**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 2:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/differential-drain-gasket/61762/3 "2011-02-23T02:53:32Z")

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The plug has pipe threads which are tapered and seal when tight just like water and natural gas pipes.

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**Author:** ![SpecialEd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@SpecialEd](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SpecialEd)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 2:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/differential-drain-gasket/61762/4 "2011-02-23T02:53:44Z")

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I plan to find one for next time, but that’s a long time away. I’ll keep it watched for a while. I hate to drain it again to put a gasket in; it’s got $20 worth of gear oil in it 😉

Thanks for the reply.

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**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 2:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/differential-drain-gasket/61762/5 "2011-02-23T02:57:46Z")

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Could be worse. My truck requires 75W-140 synthetic gear lube plus a limited slip additive. Best price I found was $67 just for lube and additive.

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**Author:** ![SpecialEd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@SpecialEd](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SpecialEd)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 12:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/differential-drain-gasket/61762/6 "2011-02-23T12:01:52Z")

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I wondered about that, but the underside of the head appears to seat against a finished surface on the housing. The front differential does have a short plug with what appears to be a copper gasket.

Nonetheless, it doesn’t appear to be seeping.