couple of questions about rear differential fluid change

[Black03Limited]

Long story short, was trying to fill the rear differential after draining and cleaning it, and dropped an L-shaped tube i was using to fill the fluid into the snow. It got some dirt/sand/grit stuff on the tube which was soaked in gear oil. I managed to wipe most of it off and then proceded to put the tube back into the fill hole and add more oil.

I started to get scared about some possible grit that may have gotten into the differential. My initial thought was "those gears are rugged and will crush any little tiny stone specks that get in its way". Then i started worrying, "or would it mess up my differential?"

Well, would it? Do you think that if a few specks of grit got into it, it would be ok? This is the stuff they put on the roads in the winter. Its not salt, but sand. I dont even think it was very much at all, if any.

I dont want to have to take it apart again and this cold weather takes forever for the rtv to cure. Which leads me to my next question: How long should i wait for that stuff to cure? I've read some other sites where people put rtv on intake manifolds and then tighten bolts and drive immediately with no problems. Is that possible with this? How do YOU guys do it when re-sealing the differential cover? Can i just apply a good bead, tighten it to specs and drive as long as no oil is leaking?

 

[JeepJeepster]

It really depends on the amount you think got in there. If you looked at the tube good and it had nothing on it before you started putting more fluid in then dont worry about it. If it visibly had grit in the tube that went into the diff then i would be worried. I wouldnt want any amount of grit at all around those bearings.

Personally I would just change it out again. It is a hassle with all that RTV but the extra oil isnt that expensive.

I usually wait over night before driving it.

 

[Black03Limited]

I was afraid someone would say that. Well, i bought more fluid because i figured that it might be a good idea to change it again. If i were to guess how much may have gotten in there, it would be like 2-5 little specks. Not too much, but more than i want.

 

[Dave]

I was afraid someone would say that. Well, i bought more fluid because i figured that it might be a good idea to change it again. If i were to guess how much may have gotten in there, it would be like 2-5 little specks. Not too much, but more than i want.

If you are worried about it just change it again. Otherwise you will be continually worrying about it. That's what I would do anyway.

Dave