differential leaking
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 798
Likes: 116
From: OAKLEY CA
differential leaking
I have an 88 coupe A4, and I was changing my exhaust when I noticed the differential is leaking. I cleaned it all up and tightened all of the bolts I could reach. The next morning I got under it, and it it still seeping a little. The joint of the cases has a shiny line of fluid along the bottom. Just enough so that I could wipe it off with my finger. The sealant is bright orange, probably RTV. I have the exhaust off now,but I wonder:
Is there any solution other than tearing the whole thing apart. It seems like I would have to remove the spring, batwing, ect. to get at it. I've read that Permatex "Right Stuff" is a better gasket maker. This sure seems like a lot of work to get at a differential cover. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Is there any solution other than tearing the whole thing apart. It seems like I would have to remove the spring, batwing, ect. to get at it. I've read that Permatex "Right Stuff" is a better gasket maker. This sure seems like a lot of work to get at a differential cover. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
Originally Posted by ED HEISER
I have an 88 coupe A4, and I was changing my exhaust when I noticed the differential is leaking. I cleaned it all up and tightened all of the bolts I could reach. The next morning I got under it, and it it still seeping a little. The joint of the cases has a shiny line of fluid along the bottom. Just enough so that I could wipe it off with my finger. The sealant is bright orange, probably RTV. I have the exhaust off now,but I wonder:
Is there any solution other than tearing the whole thing apart. It seems like I would have to remove the spring, batwing, ect. to get at it. I've read that Permatex "Right Stuff" is a better gasket maker. This sure seems like a lot of work to get at a differential cover. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Is there any solution other than tearing the whole thing apart. It seems like I would have to remove the spring, batwing, ect. to get at it. I've read that Permatex "Right Stuff" is a better gasket maker. This sure seems like a lot of work to get at a differential cover. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
If it was my car I would pull the diff and fix it right. (You are correct the RIGHT STUFF will seal that puppy
Mike
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
If you drop the exhaust, remove the C beam and driveshaft, unbolt the halfshafts and lower control arm brackets at the differential end, you can remove the differential and leave the batwing in place, saving a bunch of work. Clean up the surfaces, apply The Right Stuff and stick it back in. No more leak! 
