Differential cover, gasket or RTV silicone?

[Jorge6.5]

I got a new differential cover for my rear end. It came with a new gasket. Ive never used a gasket there before. Am I safe to just use the gasket alone or use the gasket with RTV? Should I just use RTV alone?

Thanks

 

[jrsavoie]

I've never gotten a gasket before. I always just use RTV

 

[Will L.]

Never used a gasket, never had a leak.

 

[THEFERMANATOR]

I have always used grey RTV. Be careful to make sure and use RTV as regular silicone will break down with gear oil. Also a lot of the black RTV will not hold up to gear oil.

 

[WarWagon]

I've never gotten a gasket that fits properly before. I always just use RTV

Fixed it for you. RTV will always work. Most of the time I can't get a diff gasket that is the proper one. One of the few parts my parts store hasn't figured out.

 

[great white]

I have used both with equal success, but i usually just use rtv.

If going that route, make sure your bolt holes in the cover aren't "dimpled". I put my covers on a flat anvil and then gently hammer them flat before reinstalling.

I'll usually blast and paint the exterior too, but thats optional depending on condition of your cover. I use engine enamel and bake it hard.