Differential Oil
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 22
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From: madison al
Differential Oil
89 L-98 Coupe 81,000 miles.
I want to change my differential oil. I plan to pump it out...Should be no problem. The problem I have is I have serched the forum to the point on this subject where I am saying WHATS UP!!! Redline, Mob 1, GL4, GL5, 4oz additive, 1 pt. additive, no additive. I went to the local dealer and asked what they use when they do a differential oil change. They said stright GL4. They only put in and additive if there is a problem with slippage or the owner requests it. He also said sybthetics can be used if you race your car, better heat disapation, but on a daily driver all synthetics do is make your rear end louder. Can someone with real experience help me with this?
I want to change my differential oil. I plan to pump it out...Should be no problem. The problem I have is I have serched the forum to the point on this subject where I am saying WHATS UP!!! Redline, Mob 1, GL4, GL5, 4oz additive, 1 pt. additive, no additive. I went to the local dealer and asked what they use when they do a differential oil change. They said stright GL4. They only put in and additive if there is a problem with slippage or the owner requests it. He also said sybthetics can be used if you race your car, better heat disapation, but on a daily driver all synthetics do is make your rear end louder. Can someone with real experience help me with this?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 2
From: Latham NY
Re: Differential Oil (sidewinder)
I did this last week. After reading all the posts and emailing the companied that make the synthetics, I decided on Royal Purple www.royalpurple.com. It has the slip additive built in. The price of the additive from GM was the same as a quart of the differential fluid. I bought 2 quarts here with free shipping www.karlracing.com I also bought the transmission fluid and power steering fluid.
[Modified by Bluevette85, 10:56 PM 4/16/2003]
[Modified by Bluevette85, 10:56 PM 4/16/2003]
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,507
Likes: 0
From: Easton CA
Re: Differential Oil (sidewinder)
Here's another option to ponder. BBA recommended using VP Racing's GL100 (75W-90) in the differential. I did the switch monday with no additional additives. The differential runs much quieter. Will let you know how things go as I put more miles on it. It is a synthetic blend gear oil. I ordered online, it took about 5 days to get here.
Good luck. :seeya
[Modified by Oly, 7:47 AM 4/17/2003]
Good luck. :seeya
[Modified by Oly, 7:47 AM 4/17/2003]
Moderator Emeritus
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 46,133
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From: Maryville Tn
CI 5 thru 12 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '23
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Re: Differential Oil (sidewinder)
VP Racing GL-100 Semi synthetic gear lube. Works great and no additive needed! :yesnod: :chevy
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 89
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From: GatyCity VA
Re: Differential Oil (Oly)
I used VP GL100 gear oil in my 96 LT4 after 1500 miles I noticed a scraping
sound on turns I put a bottle of adative in & it stoped the noise this winter
I changed the axel oil & there were small bits of metal on the magnet on the
drain plug.
I refilled it with more VP GL100 after 1500 miles the same noise returned I
drained the oil & there was more metal.
I have just finished pulling the gear on inspection the metal has came from
the posi clucths I really didn't have to tear it down I could have just put in some aditive but I didn't know that with out tearing it down.
I have built 100s of gears I will never run a posi with out the aditive again.
Ray :banghead:
sound on turns I put a bottle of adative in & it stoped the noise this winter
I changed the axel oil & there were small bits of metal on the magnet on the
drain plug.
I refilled it with more VP GL100 after 1500 miles the same noise returned I
drained the oil & there was more metal.
I have just finished pulling the gear on inspection the metal has came from
the posi clucths I really didn't have to tear it down I could have just put in some aditive but I didn't know that with out tearing it down.
I have built 100s of gears I will never run a posi with out the aditive again.
Ray :banghead:
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 115
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From: Greeley Co
Re: Differential Oil (sidewinder)
I have been looking at the Vpracing GL 100 becaue it's time. It says manual transmissions on the website but in the differencial it shouldn't make a difference should it?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 1
From: prescott AZ
Re: Differential Oil (sidewinder)
I have used Mobil 1 gear lube plus GM additive on my 85 and in 8 or 9 years never had a problem. I use it in my 88 and works perfectly. If you call 1-800-ASK- MOBIL they will tell you to add the 1 bottle of GM additive to their lube. I plan on putting it in the 95 as soon as i have extra time. Most of the new trucks (Jeeps) with the factory towing package put in synthetic diff. lube but use non-syn. without the tow package. If you want it to last longer use the syn. It does NOT make more noise!
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: GatyCity VA
Re: Differential Oil (skeet)
The key thing is using the GM additive Tom's Differenttials use's
Lucas 85-140 with GM additive only I think any gear oil with the additive
is the way to go.
The guys that are just sucking the oil out are not getting it all out so they
still have some additive left in there.
ADDITIVE :flag
Lucas 85-140 with GM additive only I think any gear oil with the additive
is the way to go.
The guys that are just sucking the oil out are not getting it all out so they
still have some additive left in there.
ADDITIVE :flag
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: madison al
Re: Differential Oil (sidewinder)
Thank you for all the advice. It makes working on our baby's easer!! I went with Mobil 1 and a 4oz bottle of GM additive. Pulled out the fluid with a mini vac. Man what a mess!!!! Thanks again for the advice.
Med Blue 1989 Coupe.
Med Blue 1989 Coupe.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: madison al
Re: Differential Oil (Ray Vargo)
The type of pump I used was a squeeze model. It comes with a vaccum gauge mounted on it. I have used it to flush my brakes, power steering and now to drain my differential. As long as you are careful not to over fill the catch bottle, nothing but air gets into the pump. When needed, I have no problems using it on my brakes again! The only problem with using a pump on your differential is you can't get all the oil out. I managed to pull out about 6 pints.
89 Med Blue Coupe
89 Med Blue Coupe
