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Gear oil- GL4/GL5

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Howard Eisenhauer, Oct 27, 2012.

  1. Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    OK, I've been doing some research & found that, generally speaking, 90W GL4 is recommended for trannys (OOPS! I mean 'transmissions" :) ) and GL5 for differentials (Diffys?) . I've also read that using GL5 in the... gear box- can cause problems with the synchros ( I of course mean "synchronizers", sorry, won't happen again :( ).

    All I can seem to find locally is Lucas synthetic 75w-90w with both a GL4 & a GL5 rating. Plus, for good measure, it has a limited slip modifier.

    Is this stuff OK to use in the ... gear ratio adjusting thingy?

    Tanks,

    H.
     
  2. bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    Wow, no Napas in your area,,,,, if it was me I'd hold out even if it meant ordering it in....... can you get the local auto parts to bring it in?
     
  3. djbutler

    djbutler Sponsor

    From what I am beginning to think I'm understanding, it is exactly the limited slip modifier that causes part of the problem with using GL-5 in transmissions. I am about to dump and refill my T14/D18/Warn OD combination with some GL-4, that is as soon as I can find some. I have had problems with shifting without that 'crunch' sound ever since I put in the fresh Herm rebuilt combination (yes I had Herm go through all 3 gear boxes).

    The OD especially is difficult to get a clean shift without the momentary grinding noise that I called the 'crunch' sound. I have learned to shift by slipping the stick into neutral before stepping on the clutch, then adjusting engine RPM to what I think is about right for the next ratio I want to select, then completing the shift. Essentially this is the same thing as 'double clutching', I just get into neutral by slacking power enough to let the gears disengage.

    This is kind of a long-winded way of saying I think I am experiencing the same thing others have described, the GL-5 lube I am using is too slick to allow the synchronizer blocking rings to do their job.

    Don
     
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2012
  4. 1960willyscj5

    1960willyscj5 Well-Known Member

    What did Herm tell you to put in them?
     
  5. 1955CJ-5

    1955CJ-5 Member

    If someone has a source, specific brand name and part # of a GL-4 gear oil I'd order some.

    I checked with all the local parts stores, Napa, Carquest, O'Rielly's etc., and GL-5 is all they carry.

    I'm using Chevron RPM Universal Gear Lubricant..SAE 80-90W, API GL-5/MT-1..seems to work just fine....got it at a Chevron station....
     
  6. djbutler

    djbutler Sponsor

    I don't recall him giving a recommendation, but then I didn't ask. I had just bought a 5 gal bucket of Valvoline GL-5 85-140 and planned to use that.

    From now on, that stuff gets used only in an axle for me.


    Don
     
  7. 1955CJ-5

    1955CJ-5 Member

  8. 1955CJ-5

    1955CJ-5 Member

    Found this note on the Novak web site concerning the T-90 and it's variants...

    "When filling your T90 with gear oil, we recommend that you select a conventional mineral oil or a para-synthetic in lieu of a full synthetic oil. Properly assembled manual gearboxes do not have the thermal strains seen by combustion engines or hypoid gears. Synthetic fluid in these gearboxes, while not harmful, is probably an economic waste.

    Hypoid gear oil is sulphurized higher than transmission oil and can be mildly corrosive to the non-ferrous alloys used for synchros, bushings and thrust washers in these transmissions.

    An 80W-90, API-GL5 or MT-1 rated fluid is very good. Some claim faster shifts from using a 50W engine oil in their transmission and we do not consider this to be contraindicated unless you operate your vehicle in a very warm environment."
     
  9. jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Not in anyones lifetime that's reading this thread.
     
  10. 1955CJ-5

    1955CJ-5 Member

    I thought that too....My old jeep did not have the best of routine care, as far as fluid changes etc. over it's life so far...In fact I would guess we never drained and refilled the transmission..we have owned it since 1962.....and it really shifts just fine. I've drained and refilled it twice since June, and drove it some in between just to loosen and get rid of some of the crud...I filtered the draining oil with a fine mesh paint filter, and caught next to nothing....and it still shifts just as well as it always has.....
     
  11. 1960willyscj5

    1960willyscj5 Well-Known Member

  12. 1955CJ-5

    1955CJ-5 Member

    Yes I know, but it is not a blood transfusion....:D
     
  13. 1960willyscj5

    1960willyscj5 Well-Known Member

    Spicer axle manual (D-30 and D-44, but I bet it will cover the 25/27 also)
    http://www.scribd.com/doc/47507492/Spicer-Axle-Maintenance-Manual

    In the section before tools are the lubrication specs.

    Also, find a good API GL1 oil for the Tranny/TC. The higher the GL number the more Extreme Pressure modifiers are put in. Trannys and TC don't need them because they are not under high pressure loads.
    80w-90. Unless you are running around the Yukon or northern Canada, where you want to run 50w in the winter time.
     
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2012
  14. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    DO NOT USE FULL SYNTHETIC LUBE IN THESE TRANSMISSIONS.
    Yes, I shouted on purpose. Have not seen parts degradations caused by using it but have seen lots of shifting issues caused by it. I've seen many instances if customers using synthetic then complaining of shifting/grinding issues (after they were told to NOT use it. Disassemble transmission, nothing wrong. Switch to the correct oil, no problem. Several times I've seen the same issue and the customer flushed out the synthetic and switch to proper lube and gee, problem went away..

    Most GL-5 gear lubes say limited slip compatible. Few actually have limited slip friction modifiers added. What that means is the lube won't attack and degrade the clutch friction material, not that you don't need to add the friction modifier.


    Sent from my iPhone
     
  15. mwinks-jeep

    mwinks-jeep I still love snow, Godspeed, Barney! 2024 Sponsor

  16. 1955CJ-5

    1955CJ-5 Member

    That looks like the stuff!! I just ordered some CRC 140w GL-4 for the steering box and knuckles, didn't see this though....

    I see Carquest carries it..if found it through their website using the SL 24239 number...I suppose any auto parts store that carries CRC products would be able to get it...

    http://www.carquest.com/webapp/wcs/...es+-+1+gal__10151_-1_10651_1423172_?acesApp=0

    Thanks for the post!
     
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2012
  17. 1955CJ-5

    1955CJ-5 Member

  18. colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    That's the same stuff I bought at the local NAPA
     
  19. mikieboy

    mikieboy Member

    The last I bought was from NAPA, Sta-Lube, API/GL-4, Part No. SL24239, One gallon container.
     
  20. Dandy

    Dandy Member 2024 Sponsor

    Try a farm store, implement dealer,ect.