yes, the rubber gasket that is between the two separated plates.

 

......just your pocket book.

 

Pull the cover to drain and use ATF for the gasket.I've used ATF for diff gaskets for years and it works great.Be sure to wipe down the gears and inspect them for broken teeth and wear.Manutacturer recommends 75-90 for both front and rear diffs.Jack up the back and spin one tire ,if the other spins in the same dirrection then its lsd if it don't then it's open.

 

You can use RTV to seal the diff cover up. Many people use it and no leaks. I'll be doing this in the next week or so. Just called the dealer and they don't even carry a diff cover gasket.

 

In the pic I posted on page 1, that's a FelPro gasket, Chrysler 8.25" specific, laying in the drain pan. About $4 IIRC at Advance Auto Parts. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN THE COVER BOLTS....SNUG IS PLENTY GOOD.

 

Just checked with my dealer and they said use silicone sealant as there is no gasket!

They said that there is genuine Mopar tubes available ex stock as used by the workshop at the dealer.

Stuart

 

your dealer sucks i did mine a few weeks ago and got gaskets for both me 30 and 35 from advanced auto but rtv is just as good

 

Yeah there is gaskets for the D30 and the D35.
http://www.4wd.com/jeep-parts.aspx?c...=97&plID=10351
I use these. Worth it in my eyes as they are reusable. Open the diff from the bottom bolts working your way up and leave the top two or three in part of the way, enough that you can drain the fluid out slowly. Clean good inside and reinstall the same way it came off and you will have good times. It was mentioned here also not to over tighten and that snug is good. Blue locktite is also a nice thing to put on.

 

I realize that the book was correct, and with our older models, 96/98 good gear synthetic was not common. The 75/140 is recommended for limited slip/posi applications, but it may also be to be used if nothing more than protection from heat. It is hot here, and we go to Florida often. Synthetic oil is much more adpatable that regular. Using Valvoline, it states that it my be used on both applications.

Another example is the transfer case. I have a 05 LJ and my 96 Cherokee both have the NP231 transfer case. Chrysler says of the 96 use MerconIII, and on the 05 use ATF-4. Why, ATF-4 was not out in 96, thus I used ATF-4 in both cases.

 

Thanks guys for your thoughts on the gaskets situation but can you enlighten me what is RTV - do you me instant gasket?

I went to the dealer today and have bought some 75W90 Mopar oil and additive as they confirmed I have a Dana 35 LSD on the rear.

The mechanic and the parts guy said there is no gasket listed on the system and they have always used instant silicone gasket!

I will be doing the job this weekend so will take some pics etc.

Thanks for all your help so far and patience with me being a newbie to Jeep and 4x4.

Stuart

 

rtv is just a brand of silicone gasket maker
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...23nC2lKYUQzibw

 

No, RTV stands for room temperature vulcanizing

 

ok my bad

 

Permatex 1 Minute RTV works great. Though I wait a good hour until I put any gear oil in there. Mobil 1 75w-140.

 

buy the lube locker gaskets, one for the dana 30 and the other for the dana 35 and just put royal purple diff oil in. thats what i did with no problems. you might wanna clean out the diffs with brake cleaner too before you put it back together. but make sure the brake cleaner is out,as dried up evaperated.