Differential Installation

I am getting ready to reinstall my front diff and I have two questions from the FSM section O-13. I didn’t take apart the differential but I have thoroughly cleaned it. The FSM says to lubricate the bearings, then place the differential assembly into the carrier. Is this a different lubricant from the MIL-L-2105-B equivalent listed in the lubrication section? I have used NAPA 80W-90 gear oil in the past.
Second question is the FSM says to apply “sealing compound” to the threads of the bearing cap screws. What is sealing compound? I don’t think it would be the same as thread lock or gasket compound.
Thanks.

 

Gear oil you’ve been using is fine. Not threadlocker but the same as RTV, gasket maker, or sealant of your choice. I like to use “The Right Stuff” or RTV Ultra Black. It’s worked well for me for 30 plus years. The key is any surface it’s used on must be clean, dry, and oil free like most sealants.

 

What is the purpose of gasket maker on those screws? Aren’t they completely sealed inside the pumpkin?

 

No one or two of the bearing cap bolts go all the way through. you have to put sealant on these bolts or it will drip oil eventually .

 

This.
On later Dana axles the bolt holes don’t go all the way through but early ones they do.

 

I use Permatex Form-A-Gasket 300 sealant on gasket surfaces and on screw threads that need to be sealed. Use denatured alcohol for cleaning your fingers of the gooey sticky stuff.

 

I put the rear diff (D44) carrier back in today and used Permatex black as suggested. Before assembly, I checked the housing and can’t see any way that any of the holes go all the way through the pumpkin. There is no exit wound. Everything went well, so I’m not worried, but slightly confused…