The 10 copper washers for the 10 nuts that hold the center section into the housing, it took me about 1 1/2 hours to get those things off.  Once those were off, the center section finally budged and was out easily.

My shop manual isn't much use.  Do I really have to use more of those or will normal washers and thread sealer do the job?  I know I'm going to have it out at least a few more times for gear changes and I don't want to deal with those copper washers every time, if I don't have to.

The housing is powder coated.  That'll get messed up the first time I take it off with the copper washers.  It'll also be more difficult with the extra ribbing on the aftermarket carrier.



Lawrenceville, GA

We change 9" pumpkins constantly in our dirt track car and use normal lock washers. We grease the gasket on the housing side and nothing on the pumpkin side. Never noticed a leak. Good luck.

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

I've changed dozens over the years and have never used the copper washers.

We used to put them on at the dealer I worked. If you didn't, every once in a while you would get a leak on one.

Dan      Kingman Az.      86409

Awesome, then I'll just try normal washers. If one leaks, there are more modern sealing washers with a rubber center I can try that don't crush around the threads.



Lawrenceville, GA

I very rarely put the copper washers back in place when replacing the 9” third members.  I'll add that I'll not install any type of washer at that location.  If there ever was a seep from one of those studs, it would be easy enough to put the washer on after the fact but leaks are rare as long as both surfaces are clean and a new gasket is being used.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Same here, although I lice to use washers to keep from turning the nuts into the case material.

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

When I was an apprentice and a crate cam in to be pulled down the most effective way was to punch the studs in.
This made it easier to clean the old gasket surface and wash the housing and studs. Then simply tap them back in once done.
It was rare for us to fit a gasket and used a silicone generally, however gasket goo and a gasket works great.

The only part I didn't like about diffs was the smell.