Differential Fluid question

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Wild one

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OK, thanks. Weird how I keep seeing red loctite on so many YT videos for these plugs.
If you want to use thread sealant/aka pipe dope you can,but i wouldn't use red loctite.50+ years of changing fluid in diffs/transmissions/right angle drive gearboxes etc,and i've never once used a sealer on the plugs,but if it makes you more comfortable to use a thread sealant go for it.
 
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greywolf2112

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If you want to use thread sealant/aka pipe dope you can,but i wouldn't use red loctite.50+ years of changing fluid in diffs/transmissions/right angle drive gearboxes etc,and i've never once used a sealer on the plugs,but if it makes you more comfortable to use a thread sealant go for it.
Just want to do things right, and I guess seeing all these tutorials with them all suggesting using red loctite . . . made no sense to me since the NEXT time you need to do it . . . . good luck. Sort of like with boats - we always called 5200 adhesive "F*&k the next owner" adhesive.
 

nlambert182

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IF.... and a big IF.... I were going to use a threadlocker I "might" use blue Loctite 242... but never red. Red isn't meant to come back out, whereas blue will keep a bolt from backing out on its own but you can remove it with hand tools.

I wouldn't use threadlocker on it at all. If installed correctly, it won't leak.
 

pscarbor

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Just want to do things right, and I guess seeing all these tutorials with them all suggesting using red loctite . . . made no sense to me since the NEXT time you need to do it . . . . good luck. Sort of like with boats - we always called 5200 adhesive "F*&k the next owner" adhesive.
If you use red locktite you will never be able to remove the plug again. As for blue - why? If the plug is a pipe thread, doesn't need to be locked and if not there's a sealing washer. I have pipe threads and use ptfe pipe sealant on mine, but even without that you probably won't have an issue.

You didn't mention this but do you have one plug or two (or more)? If you have only one you'll need to remove the cover to drain it. There is a relatively simple procedure for doing that; cleaning it and using sealer. Several BoobTube videos on that.

One caution: Don't get the plug too tight, you will strip it. Look up the torque; I usually do around 12 ft-lbs on mine.
 

patricktxfl

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Just drain and fill. Wipe things clean and check for leaking after next long drive. I think you'll be good.
 

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