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Topic: Oil Recomended for the Rear Axle-Synthetic (Read 1203 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Oil Recomended for the Rear Axle-Synthetic

Reply #1
This list is in line with the one Allison have on "their recommended oils" (not including Amsoil) and saying that it does not meet their specs. I had a discussion with Amsoil about this and they said their oil exceeds the guidlines that Castrol/Allison have and I got a personal written guarentee from them that covers the use of their oil with no if or buts that would either replace or repair the tranny should it be proved that this oil caused a failure. My Allison has around 50k miles on Amsoil oil for it and runs cool and good. It seems that to be a member of the"  approved club" requires some monetry consideration and Amsoil refuses to be a part of it as their technical side has already decifered the requirements of the oils and have exceeded them as usual. Old game no new tricks. I stay with proven technowledgy(spelling) and the fact my oil tests are excellent.FWIW
John
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Oil Recomended for the Rear Axle-Synthetic

Reply #2
Dave,

Your Differential/Rear Axle may be different from that in my smaller Granvilla and thus require different grade of synthetic. In November I told Keith Risch at MOT that I wanted to switch over to synthetic in the differential; he recommended I go to NAPA and buy a 5 gallon bucket of Texaco Synthetic 75W-140, which I did. My 280's rear end only took about 3 1/2 gallons of the 5 gal.
Don Hay
'92 Grandvilla, U-280
The Hayfever Express
Build #4055
'97 GEO Tracker
Life is like licking honey off a thorn.

Re: Oil Recomended for the Rear Axle-Synthetic

Reply #3
Don, It is my understanding that NAPA would use a well approved gear oil, I have no idea what brand name, but I would assume it would be fine.

John, I have no idea of the cost of the synthetic engine lubes, but know it is not competitive to non synthetic price.  I do not have a dog in the Amsoil race, I have nothing against Amsoil, I just can not see the BIG advantage to the synthetic motor oils where the non synthetic have proven to work so well.  There are applications for synthetic oils for sure.  Filtering is not a new idea, why most filter outfits work & test for new and better products.  Most HD engine companies have the dual filtering Full flow & bypass in one filter now.
Engines that run 1 million miles on non synthetic oils, are common.

My feelings are simple, If you like it, then use it.

I do like the idea of synthetic gear oil, fully understand it has worked great in that area.  And the Allison synthetic from Castrol must have a good track record too.
Experimenter, I am not when it comes to lube, Others do good in that area, I can sit back and wait.

Cheers
Dave M



Re: Oil Recomended for the Rear Axle-Synthetic

Reply #4
I have gone full synthetic (AMS oil) throughout my 1996 U320.
Also a bypass filter which filters down to 2 microns while the combo venturi filters which do essentially bypass some oil only filter down to 5 - 10 microns.
My engine oil remains almost clear after 4000 miles.
The five gallons of differential oil was not all used, 4 gallons in diff and a quart in front wheel bearings, however, buying smaller containers would have cost more and I have top up oil.
I even put synthetic engine oil in the hydraulic system.

My justification for going synthetic was based on my experience with my former 1986 P30 gas motorhome. The engine continued to ran quieter and pull harder for about 6 months after intalling synthetic.
I am sold on AMS oil Synthetic.
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: Oil Recomended for the Rear Axle-Synthetic

Reply #5
Just like Don said, rear axle synthetic 75 or 85/140 not thinner 75/90

Re: Oil Recomended for the Rear Axle-Synthetic

Reply #6
Dave M, it is more a case of worry for people that if  you "do not use the oil we recommend then dont come to us if you have problems with the tranny or other parts"
Good way for the manufacturer to get out of any later costs.
Amsoil have a 100% guarantee to cover any problems that using their oils should they be the culprit.
I read a lot of paperwork before I was sold on it, believe me.
The few dollars more it costs is totally repaid by the fact it does not need to be replaced as often as the basic stuff, and that means for some less labour and oil/filter costs.
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Oil Recomended for the Rear Axle-Synthetic

Reply #7
That 3 year change requirement for low mileage applications(like us) really hurts the pocketbook going to synthetic in the differential.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Oil Recomended for the Rear Axle-Synthetic

Reply #8
That 3 year change requirement for low mileage applications(like us) really hurts the pocketbook going to synthetic in the differential.
You can always run a sample through a lab.  That would be cost effective at 3 year intervals.  And if it does not become contaminated it should be okay.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Oil Recomended for the Rear Axle-Synthetic

Reply #9
I'm switching my rear end oil out to synthetic in my 2000 U320 that has a Meritor RS21-145 rear end.  I just spoke with Meritor's technical service department and they said use 75W140 or 75W90, but did not recommend a brand.  I'm going with the 75W140 as its gets quite warm where I drive 95% of the time, and seldom drops below +20 F.
Dan
2000 U320 40'

Re: Oil Recomended for the Rear Axle-Synthetic

Reply #10
That's what we did several years ago. Synthetic 75w140 from NAPA. Who knows when we will next drain & refill, but it will be many years.

Re: Oil Recomended for the Rear Axle-Synthetic

Reply #11
spoke with Meritor's technical service department and they said use 75W140 or 75W90, but did not recommend a brand.
They told me that the most important thing was the proper GL rating.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Oil Recomended for the Rear Axle-Synthetic

Reply #12
I did some further research and found out Meritor also has a web site that deals exclusively with their rear ends and recommended oils, both petroleum based and  synthetic.  It's at http://www.meritorhvs.com/MeritorHVS_Documents/tp9539.pdf.  Once on the site, one thing I immediately noted was that if you're a "lot of mileage" type, you can go to 150,000 miles instead of 100,000 prior to changing the rear end oil, although most of us will hit the 4 year change recommendation before we hit the 150K mile mark.
Based on that web site and my personal experience with Castrol synthetic lubricants in not only my  street legal cars and trucks, but also my race cars (formula and sports), I will go with Castrol Syn-Gear 80W/140, if I can get it shipped in here and I should know tomorrow (when you live in rural New Mexico, you can't always get your first choice).
Like others, I have no problem with Amsoil products and have friends that have been using them in street/racing vehicles similar to mine for over 30 years with great results.  However, I tend to be a creature of habit, and don't change unless I see a real potential advantage.

Dan
Dan
2000 U320 40'