Rear diff fluid

[4gfun]

I have seen a number of posts on here advising that you should use Redline Heavy Shockproof in the rear diff. It gets well below 45 degrees here. What fluid(s) might I use if I plan on running it hard when it is below 45 degrees out?

Redline MT90?

Thanks

 

[Calan]

Redline Heavy Shockproof

 

[SlickPyro]

I live in north east Ohio and I use redline heavy shock proof in the rear diff. I don't daily drive the car in the winter due to sooo much salt but I took it out for a whomp around town a few weeks ago when it wasnt salty and it was below 45 and didnt hear any ill affects. That's what's been in my car since before I got it. Just my .02 probably doesnt help much.

 

[4gfun]

So then the stuff is safe below 45 degrees?

Hmmmm......so I can romp on it when it is 0 degrees Farenheit out? It can get to be below 0 degrees here but not very often. The car is winter driven and hardly ever beat on...but under the right circumstances I'd like to be able to know that everything is ok if I romp on it or it would be purpose defeating to put the shockproof in at all. I know that Northeast Ohio is generally far colder than it is here...but still.

 

[Calan]

Hmmmm......so I can romp on it when it is 0 degrees Farenheit out?

Well you shouldn't be romping on it until it's thoroughly warmed up anyway, but the rear diff is "splash" lubricated...which is much more forgiving to cold, heavier viscosity fluids than a pump system.

I use HSP year round in the rear end and transfer case, including several sub-freezing trips to work and back during the winter. I've never had any issues once everything gets some heat in it from friction.

YMMV

 

[4gfun]

I don't romp on it when it is cold...I thought that using it was a no go strictly based upon ambient temps below 45 degrees. My commute to work is about 70 miles each way. Your post is encouraging though.

Well you shouldn't be romping on it until it's thoroughly warmed up any way... but I've never had any issues once stuff gets some heat in from friction. (I use HSP year round, including several sub-freezing trips to work and back during the winter).

YMMV

 

[Calan]

I thought that using it was a no go strictly based upon ambient temps below 45 degrees.

I really don't know what the official word on it is, and I don't find any temperature data on Redline's site. Maybe Tim Z can pop in here and enlighten us.

Seems to have always worked for me though.

 

[Ninharu]

I live in Edmonton Canada... Look it up on a map, its pretty far north. I have used heavy shockproof in my t-case and diff for 3 years now and I have changed the fluid twice. I dont put too many miles on the car but I have driven it every winter where it has seen -40 C for weeks at a time. My seals are not leaking and each time I changed the fluid it looked pretty good. I definitely take it very easy on the initial start up. Hope that reassures you.

 

[4gfun]

This all sounds good enough for me....I'll just go ahead and use it.

 

[twicks69]

If you are going to abuse your stuff, or run higher than stock power levels, Redline Heavyweight Shockproof. The gear oil needs to warm up before going under load; it is just like warming up your engine and transmission before beating on it.

If you are closer to stock power levels, 80W90 works just fine. (Coastal 80W90, Redline MT90, or lightweight shockproof would all be fine for extreme cold temperatures).

 

[4gfun]

Thanks for the addition. I love Coastal and I have some MT90 laying around. Looks like a tossup for me. I have tons to go on now.

Appreciate you all!

If you are going to abuse your stuff, or run higher than stock power levels, Redline Heavyweight Shockproof. The gear oil needs to warm up before going under load; it is just like warming up your engine and transmission before beating on it.

If you are closer to stock power levels, 80W90 works just fine. (Coastal 80W90, Redline MT90, or lightweight shockproof would all be fine for extreme cold temperatures).

 

[1fastlaser]

I always ran a mix of 80 90 and 80-120

 

[4gfun]

Thanks all...I am happy with it overall. Just a note....if you are using the "funnel method" in the VFAQ it takes like 2 hours to get this stuff in the diff...was a little annoying especially for the family (we all took turns holding the funnel until I decided to wedge it against a stationary object and leave it).

 

[TrevorS]

FWIW -- I just had to refill my transfer case and used a hand oil pump ("Powerbuilt" brand from an auto parts store) that threads into the oil container. Took a lot of presses on the plunger, but lots less than 2 hrs . Also used it for my differential a few years back.

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Here's the same kind of thing on Amazon !

http://www.amazon.com/Plews-55001-F...W5LK/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1331578793&sr=8-5

 

[4gfun]

Good to know, thank you.....I may be trying your trick sooner than anticipated.

I took the car for a 140 mile round trip and the rear diff is more noisy than before. Doesn't sound like anything is grinding in there and there are no visible leaks. My Galant VR-4's driveline has always been noisy as all heck on decel but the noise and vibration seems to be transferring to the rear diff now. Not sure if it is my imagination. I could care less about any of the decel noise, I just want to make sure that I am not wrecking anything. Thanks for any thoughts!

FWIW -- I just had to refill my transfer case and used a hand oil pump ("Powerbuilt" brand from an auto parts store) that threads into the oil container. Took a lot of presses on the plunger, but lots less than 2 hrs . Also, used it for my differential a few years back.

 

[twicks69]

The thinner the gear oil, the louder it is going to be if you have excessive gear lash from worn out bearings. It sounds like the diff bearings have some side-to-side play and the ring gear is spaced too far away from the pinion gear if the pinion gear depth is correct.

 

[4gfun]

Do you think that shockproof HeavyWeight would be substantially thinner than Coastal 75w-90? I don't know if that is what was back there, but I would guess it was based upon the previous owners choices in Fluids. I believe Shockproof acts a 75w-90 Synthetic when warmed up fully. I also think the rear diff might be overfilled because looking closer at the VFAQ I was supposed to wait for it to completely stop dripping fluid before closing the fill plug. I just closed the fill plug the first second I saw it dripping. (Not so sure if that makes a difference)

Also thinking I didn't put the mustache bar and bushings on correctly since it all fell on the ground when I took the rear diff cover off to do the job.

The thinner the gear oil, the louder it is going to be if you have excessive gear lash from worn out bearings. It sounds like the diff bearings have some side-to-side play and the ring gear is spaced too far away from the pinion gear if the pinion gear depth is correct.

 

[Spanky_DSM]

just want to get the green light from you guys.

is Valvoline SAE 80w-90 gear oil fine for my 95 rear diff?