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Differentials, SAE 50 Wt Oil & Micro Blue

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Jerry12, Sep 9, 2014.

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  1. Sep 9, 2014 #1
    Jerry12

    Jerry12 Heavy Load Member

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    Has anyone previously or currently using a SAE 50 Wt Oil in their Semi-trucks differentials or any Wt. oil lower than a SAE 75 wt.?

    (Myself,what im thinking about is buying a set of rear differentials, treated for anti friction by Micro Blue Racing. eh, the thinking goes, the decreased friction that decreases part wear will tolerate a lower weight oil, there by increasing MPG.)
     
    Jerry12, Sep 9, 2014
    Jerry12, Sep 9, 2014
    #1
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  3. Sep 9, 2014 #2
    allan5oh

    allan5oh Road Train Member

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    Are you talking transmission fluid? The viscosity is actually very similar to gear oil. You will see no gains, but you will lose a lot of the additives that differentials need.
     
    allan5oh, Sep 9, 2014
    allan5oh, Sep 9, 2014
    #2
  4. Sep 9, 2014 #3
    allan5oh

    allan5oh Road Train Member

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    allan5oh, Sep 9, 2014
    allan5oh, Sep 9, 2014
    #3
    Jerry12 Thanks this.
  5. Sep 9, 2014 #4
    Jerry12

    Jerry12 Heavy Load Member

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    Allan5oh: No, i wasnt referring to transmission fluid. SAE 50 oil is mfg. Here is one mfg. selling there product: http://www.penngrade1.com/Products/Racing-Oils.aspx The web site for micro blue racing has noted some of their users are working with a 5o Wt. in the differentials. i was curious, if a user w/thetruckersreport had done this and what their results were.
     
    Jerry12, Sep 9, 2014
    Jerry12, Sep 9, 2014
    #4
  7. Sep 9, 2014 #5
    allan5oh

    allan5oh Road Train Member

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    That stuff is still quite a bit thicker and lacks even more additives needed in our diffs. I wouldn't even consider it.
     
    allan5oh, Sep 9, 2014
    allan5oh, Sep 9, 2014
    #5
  8. Sep 9, 2014 #6
    Jerry12

    Jerry12 Heavy Load Member

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    Thank you for the web link...alot of reference points to work thru.
     
    Jerry12, Sep 9, 2014
    Jerry12, Sep 9, 2014
    #6
  9. Sep 9, 2014 #7
    allan5oh

    allan5oh Road Train Member

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    Pay attention to the viscosity and viscosity index, pour point isn't as important. That's your thickness. Remember *ALL* oils (engine,transmission and differential) are too thick at below operating temperatures. Even the highest quality synthetic. The difference is it isn't as thick as regular oil.

    Gear oil has EP (extreme pressure) additives that do not worth with syncronizers such as the range splitter, that's why the oil is quite a bit darker than the transmission or engine variety.

    For your application I would recommend a high quality 75w90 synthetic. It's too bad they don't make lighter ones, you could probably get away with that since your diffs will likely run cooler.
     
    allan5oh, Sep 9, 2014
    allan5oh, Sep 9, 2014
    #7
  10. Sep 9, 2014 #8
    Longhood379

    Longhood379 Medium Load Member

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    you need a Api gear oil to counteract the hypoid wiping effect of the crown and pinion, SAE 50 whether synthetic or dino, is the same operating temperature viscosity as API 90, so someone is full of fluff with the SAE 50 being thinner than 75W90 which should be a lot thinner at cooler temps, as well as being designed for differential applications.

    It would save a whole bunch of hassle if the SAE and API could use the same viscosity index, but then the snake oil salesmen wouldn't be able to sneak as much crap through.
     
    Longhood379, Sep 9, 2014
    Longhood379, Sep 9, 2014
    #8
  11. Oct 8, 2014 #9
    Jerry12

    Jerry12 Heavy Load Member

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    Following up: I've contacted Micro Blue Racing and spoke with Craig, whom is adamant to not use the 50wt Oil. On MicroBlueRacing web site: Cut n pasted "...While the jury is still out on differential requirements, at this point we're recommending sticking with a 75/90 synthetic for two reasons. The first is for shock loads. The second is that the commonly available brands have additives designed to provide additional "cushioning", thus offering additional protection to the gears and bearings. However, we do have a number of customers using a 50 wt. with no problems..." Apparently, some of there information is dated or misleading. Again, to eliminate confusion Craig, (Micro Blue Racing) is adamant do not use 50 wt in the differentials.
     
    Jerry12, Oct 8, 2014
    Jerry12, Oct 8, 2014
    #9
  12. Oct 8, 2014 #10
    rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    Why consider using an oil not recommended for the application? Do you know something the manufacturers and engineers that design differentials don't?
     
    rollin coal, Oct 8, 2014
    rollin coal, Oct 8, 2014
    #10
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