Gaskets & Seals
About Gaskets & Seals
Gaskets and seals keep gear oil inside the transmission, differentials and axle housings, and keep water and dirt out. They cost little compared with the parts they protect, and a leak is the usual reason owners shop here: oil weeping at an axle, a damp differential, or gear oil that looks milky or has dropped below the fill mark.
Most listings are sold as seal kits for one area of the machine. Differential seal kits are listed for the front or rear differential and for makes including Polaris and Yamaha. Transmission and trans-axle seal kits are listed by model, such as the Ranger, Sportsman and RZR 800. You will also find single axle seals and clutch gaskets. Match the kit to the front or rear position and to the exact model and year, because seal sizes differ.
If a seal has failed, inspect the shaft or axle surface it rides on and the bearings beside it, since a groove or play there will ruin a new seal. Afterwards, refill with the fluid and level your manual calls for.
Brands here include Hot Rods, EPI, All Balls, Trask and Cometic. Pick your machine in the Ride Finder at the top of the page to see kits made for it. Related categories are Bearings, Differential Parts, Axles and CV Axle Assemblies, all within Transmission & Drivetrain. For help matching parts to your machine, read why a part may not fit.
FAQs on UTV and ATV gaskets and seals
How can I tell if a differential or axle seal is leaking?
Look for an oily film or wet residue around the seal, gear oil on the inside of the wheel or brake parts, and a fluid level that keeps dropping. Wipe the area clean, ride briefly and look again to see where fresh oil appears.
Why do differential and transmission seals fail?
Common causes are age, which hardens the rubber, a worn or grooved shaft, worn bearings that let the shaft move, and water or dirt getting in. A blocked breather can also build pressure and push oil past a seal.
What is the difference between a seal kit and a single seal?
A seal kit bundles the seals for one assembly, and some kits add o-rings or gaskets, so everything for that job comes in one box. A single seal suits a repair where only that one part failed. Check each listing for what is included.
Do I need to change the gear oil after replacing a seal?
Usually you will drain some or all of it to reach the seal, so refill to the level and with the fluid type your manual specifies. If the old oil looked milky, which suggests water got in, replace it rather than reuse it.
Can I use sealant instead of a gasket?
Only if your manual says so. Some covers are designed to seal with a gasket alone, others call for sealant, and too much sealant can squeeze into oil passages. Use the gasket listed for your model and follow the maker's directions.
