VW gave up on the cork based gasket for this application many years ago. They also updated the screws with a flange head. The new gasket is a stiff fiberboard material. Using silicone sealer just made things worse as you eliminated the friction on the gasket surface. I use the "Right Stuff" with no gasket at all.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Robert Clemmer
Sent: Tuesday, August 8, 2017 10:51 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Final Drive pan gasket

I changed the pan gasket on the final drive section of my automatic transmission today.  When I torqued it down to 7 lb. ft. per Bentley the gasket split at one of the bolt holes and was squeezed out. I don't know if the inside has also torn and was pushed out.  I did use a thin film of RTV formulated for gear lube and I did flatten the sealing surface that was deformed around the bolt holes.  The instruction say to wait 24 hrs. before adding lube oil so I do not know if it leaks yet.  However if it does not leak, I still question the integrity and will wonder if it will start to leak at an inopportune time. So I guess it is back to Bus Depot for another gasket.

Does anyone have any suggestions to prevent this from happening on the next gasket.

Thanks for your input.

Bob C