WARN Gasket

Can I use black RTV in place of the paper gasket on my WARN locking hubs? Also can I use the same RTV where the entire hub bolts to the spindle hub? I really dont want to drop $25 on the warn hub service kit, and after reading up on it WARN suggests those paper gaskets should be replaced every time they are submerged
That just seems crazy... so I come to the gurus for insight yet again.

 

Well I'm no guru but I did use black RTV instead of buying the warn service kit. I did use new seals for the hub to spindle only because the local Jeep guy had them.

 

I just applied black RTV on my Superwinch (Milemarker) hubs with the thin paper gasket.
You can get the gaskets for less at other places like Quadratec.
http://www.quadratec.com/products/52413_50.htm
http://www.quadratec.com/products/52413_51.htm

 

Other possibilities are 1) reuse your old gaskets with a little RTV, and 2) make new paper gaskets with scissors and a paper punch. A 12"x36" sheet of gasket paper is $2.45 (McMaster-Carr) and you can get at least 6 pair of gaskets from one sheet.

 

FWIW, I've always had better luck with the Grey RTV rather than the black on stuff like this.

 

My toyota hubs are put together using the grey RTV and they dont leak...so far anyways. But I do agree with timgr on buying a gasket sheet and making your own. It would be an easy one to make and like he said, for under $3 you can have more then one set.

 

I've never used gaskets on the hubs themselves, just the inner bearing seal. No leaks so far.

 

I think the gaskets are to keep moisture & water from getting inside the locking hub mechanism. There isn't much grease in there to leak out so to speak.

 

That might explain the milkshake in the front axle.

 

Ha Ha