Best oil to use in diffs???

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by JakeBrakeChampion, Jun 11, 2011.

  1. JakeBrakeChampion

    JakeBrakeChampion Light Load Member

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    I have been workin a job where we are hauling 30 ton of clay 10 hours a day. My truck is a tri axle kw with eaton rears. We are grossing between 85 and 90k and crawling outa some deep deep mud so lots of wear and tear on our parts. Anyways i noticed my diffs are runnin hotter than normal. I would expect that somewhat due to its been 100 degrees all week plus the added weight. They usually run hot enough that you can only hold your hand to them for 3 or 4 seconds which i dont think is to bad.. Anyways whats the best weight gear oil and addatives i can run in them? There 46k full locking rears!
     
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  3. REDD

    REDD The Legend

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    when you change them, Use the same oil your using now. But motorkote them!
     
  4. lostNfound

    lostNfound Road Train Member

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    What does the axle manufacturer recommend? That's what I would use.
     
  5. Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

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    A quality name brand of 75W90 synthetic.
     
    Diesel Dave Thanks this.
  6. xTHANATOPSISx

    xTHANATOPSISx Light Load Member

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    This.

    Adding thickeners to oil that is distributed by sling is pretty backwards thought. Anything that makes it more difficult to sling the oil onto the components may prevent proper lubrication.

    If these additives people recommend were really necessary, the oems would recommend them as well. The engineers that come up with the requirements kinda know the products they are dealing with.
     
  7. xTHANATOPSISx

    xTHANATOPSISx Light Load Member

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    I will add that the name brand is less important than you might think. If a lubricant meets the standards the oem requires, it will provide sufficient lubrication.

    Sorry to double, I'm on my phone...
     
  8. Hardlyevr

    Hardlyevr Road Train Member

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    I would recommend synthetic too, not so much from the slight mileage increase that you might see, but that the manufacturers allow much long drain intervals to stay in warranty.
     
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  9. Hammer166

    Hammer166 Crusty Information Officer

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    Another plus with synthetic is much better protection when the gears are cold in the winter. Mineral oil can be like taffy when cold, an equivalent synthetic is more like room temp syrup. Much like cold starts are hard on engines, a significant amount of the wear on a diff comes before the oil is warmed up.
     
    Diesel Dave Thanks this.
  10. SHO-TYME

    SHO-TYME Road Train Member

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    Plus, the rearends may also run slightly cooler with synthetic.
     
  11. lilillill

    lilillill Sarcasm... it's not just for breakfast

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    I'm a believer in synthetic. My wife's '96 Dodge has a 360 with 400,000 km on it... It does not smoke and runs like new.

    It's had Mobil 1 from day one.
     
    SHC Thanks this.
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