When pulling and re-installing a rear 3rd is it better to use the OEM paper gasket or is it preferable to use silicone gasket? Any Pros and Cons of each or are they pretty much the same.

 

i use silicone. Its better then paper, and should last alot longer.

 

Toyota Orange FIPG.

 

I'd use silicone too.

 

ditto the FIPG. Better than either alternative...

 

And where do you get this? dealer i assume.

And what does FIPG stand for?

 

Sorry I take that back, skimmed your question too quickly....I'd use the FIPG too.....

Also from 4X4wire:
I prefer Form in Place Gasket (FIPG) and Toyota RTV products in particular. The orange FIPG is for transaxles and differentials, the black is for locations that could introduce chemicals into the intake and affect your O2 sensor. Remember, when using the orange FIPG the same amount oozes on the inside as oozes on the outside, use only enough to seal. Too much is not better, and can break off on the inside. Just enough is just right.

 

Sounds a lot like Goldilocks!

I would assume "just enough" would be a small 1/8" bead right in the middle of the mounting surface on the axle side would be good. Sound about right?

 

though in general its not a great idea to get sloppy with RTV, a diff doesn't really have any oil passages to clog up...

i use ultra copper on anything hot/covered with gear oil, and ultra gray for everything else.

 

I used Toyota, but not the orange stuff, it was black.

 

So I went by my local Toyota Dealership on my way home from work and the guy gave me a price of 31 bucks for a tube of that stuff, does that sound about right or are they way off on their price?

 

$14.12 at www.trdparts4u.com

 

Or you can spend $3-4 on a tube of RTV silicone from any auto parts store. I've had my rear diff sealed up for almost 3 years with the blue stuff. and i dont have any leaks. It's really up to you. but the cheap stuff works just as good as the FIPG from Toyota...

 

The paper gaskets work best only if the two mating surfaces are perfectly smooth and flat. Unless you're willing to put the housing and the third on a mill to remove any blemishes/warping get silicone.

 

Silicone.

I bought a paper gasket at toyota for 10 flippin bucks, a rip off for a thin piece of paper, and it ripped in a million different places (more like 2 or 3) when I tried putting it on. Yes, I was careful.

Silicone's cheaper, easier, and goes further.

 

Go for the cheap autoparts store orange silicone, it resists any heat well and there's about another million uses for the rest of the tube when you get done