Axle HSG Cover Differential Seal Review

Just check the bolt pattern before you buy a differential seal. After cleaning the surface of the body and lid I recommend using a light coat of RTV sealant to ensure it is oil and heat resistant. Be sure to zigzag when tightening the bolts and tighten them fully and then a quarter turn and you're done, add the correct gear oil. I usually leave my trucks for an hour to let the RTV dry.

Installed with new diff cover and perfectly cleaned diff surface. Installed this with Permatex silicone sealant on both sides of the gasket. Tightened and saw that it was leaking. Pulled out the torque wrench and tightened the bolts to 25 ft-lbs and finally stopped the leak. Very thin felt lining. I'll probably use two of these pads together if I ever do it again.

Saves me time screwing at my local parts store if I order ahead and I really like being able to fill it with fluid immediately after tightening the head bolts unlike the RTV -Sealant that lasts at least 4 hours. Incidentally, I cut the Permatex Gear Lubricant's 24-hour cure time by about 20 hours, and it lasted long enough to get me to and from errands without leaks. I would only use this if your sealing surfaces are not dented or have deep scratches.

Most parts are the same on all Buick Rainier 4.2L SUVs EXCEPT 2004. I discovered this the hard way. The rear diff on my 2004 has a larger bolt pattern and unfortunately I didn't find out until I was in the process of installing this spacer. The problem is, if you don't put the tape measure on the lid and gasket, you won't find out until you put the gasket on the lid. At this point you have already canceled your option to return the pad because as I found out later when trying to repackage the…