Sealant Recommendations Ideas Ham Case to Frame Final Drives D7E

As far as the ham cases don't be so cheap. Go to Cat and buy the gaskets. I use a healthy application of spray on "Hi-tack" (permatex brand) on both sides of a gasket I'm not taking apart again. Th spray goes on even and will not squeeze out like silicone. Snug the bolts. Leave overnight and do the final torque. Be sure the surface where the cases mate up is perfect. No high spot of gouged metal. Take a flat file and take off any burrs. On things that need to come apart like the inspection doors on the steering clutch only put the spray on one side of the gasket. Glue the gasket to the cover. Put a real thin amount of grease on the case so any over spray glue won't stick. That way you don't tear the gasket when you need to get in there. As far as building up the cases I'd use 7018 and then hard surface over where it wears at the very end. My experience with hard surface is it''s not all position friendly. Depends how thin things are worn. Might take a long time but use small rod to control heat. Be sure everything is bolted up or you might warp it. Best to do a little at a time and allow to cool. I have a parts donar 14a that has had the lower cases seriously built up and hard surfaced for rock work. Also be sure your ground is as close as possible and not crossing any bearing.

Some get pretty serious about welding and adding a wear plate (on D6).