Recommend me some gear oil.

NikFu S. · #1 01-03-2006, 11:10 AM

I went to an auto parts store yesterday looking to get some lube for my diffs, found some "axel oil/lubricant" or whatever, then realized I have never changed the stuff.
I'm pretty sure some shop did, but I'm not satisfied until I do everything myself.

I need to know what everyone is using in their diffs, and while were at it, the right size tool to open it up.
Mine is covered withnasty dirt and has been slightly eroded by road salt and I don't want another repeat of the rear x-member nut.

I did a search for "dif oil" and found nothing useful, but ran across one of my old threads.
Man just reading it was embarrassing.
I wish it would be deleted. :/

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How often does everyone change their air filter? The box of the Fram filter says change it every 12k.

Mine is so clogged the car is starting to die at idle, and it's only been through like... a few thousand miles of use.

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I decided never to get snow tires again. While I have enjoyed having superb traction in snowing conditions, Alaska's weather patterns have change so greatly the roads are now dry 80% of the winter.

My Blizzaks are dedicated snow and I feel they will have exceeded their life span by spring 2007.

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Still malfunctioning ABS.
Apparently, when it sits outside whatever moisture is shorting it out freezes, and it works again until it sits somewhere warm and moisture builds up again.

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Other than that my SVX is running perfectly.
I have been driving very conservatively, and the engine feels youthful and spirited.
It feels so spirited in fact, I only have to rev to 3k to pass people doing 10 under the limit on fricking dry roads. (:

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This has been a NikFu update.

If you are thinking of finding that one thread, I urge you to reconsider, lest your brains melt into a putty.

Chiketkd · #2 01-03-2006, 02:43 PM

Nik,

Good gear oil to go with:

1) Mobil 1 fully synthetic 75W90 (runs close to $10 a qt)

2) Valvoline Gear Oil either 80W90 or 75W90 (runs anywhere from $2 a qt up to $8 a qt depending on wether you go with regular, durablend, or full synthetic)

3) Lucas Gear Oil 80W90 (about $5 a quart)

You'll have no issues with any of those gear oils.

Good luck changing your gear oil in the middle of an Alaskan winter!!!

-Chike

svxfiles · #3 01-03-2006, 03:29 PM

My S/C engineer will only warranty my S/C if I use Mobile 1 full synthetic
75W-90.
It's $8.88 a quart, and you need 1.3US quarts in the front, and 0.8 US quarts in the rear.
It takes a 1/2" square drive, like a breaker bar.

mbtoloczko · #4 01-03-2006, 06:49 PM

I'd recommend Redline Shock Proof Lightweight gear oil. It has a high density of particulates that form a cushion between the gears that can withstand very high loadings. Its one of the more common gear oils used by the WRX rally racing crowd. And now you can get it at Napa Auto.

NikFu S. · #5 01-03-2006, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbtoloczko

I'd recommend Redline Shock Proof Lightweight gear oil. It has a high density of particulates that form a cushion between the gears that can withstand very high loadings. Its one of the more common gear oils used by the WRX rally racing crowd. And now you can get it at Napa Auto.

Ooh that sounds good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiketkd

Good luck changing your gear oil in the middle of an Alaskan winter!!!

-Chike

I'm garaged up, yo.

Chiketkd · #6 01-03-2006, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NikFu S.

I'm garaged up, yo.

That's definitely sweet!

TomsSVX · #7 01-03-2006, 08:06 PM

I would highly suggest the redline... after that I would say Royal purple 75-90.

Tom

$ gest24 $ · #8 01-03-2006, 08:06 PM

I heard royal purple gear oil works well in large trucks. So why not use it in the Subie diffs. I saw this info on an episode of trucks where they acctually measured the temp and was like a 5-6 degree difference. As for price I have no idea. But I think on my next oil change I'm going to go all Royal Purple in everything on the car and see how it works.

NikFu S. · #9 01-03-2006, 08:48 PM

I remember a few months ago some people here were praising Royal Purple.
Supposed to be really good stuff.

$ gest24 $ · #10 01-03-2006, 09:18 PM

But it also comes at a pretty price tho. It's a bit more than Mobil 1 stuff.

ensteele · #11 01-03-2006, 11:43 PM

As far as your air filter, I would change it when it is clogged. If it is only a couple thousand miles, that is good, but if you can go longer until it is bad, wait a little bit. I would think that an air filter will vary quite a bit from one area to the next with how much dust there is in your area. The main thing is to check them when you change your oil. It is one of the easiest things to forget, but will cut your mileage down if dirty and the car won't run as good.

WGJ · #12 01-05-2006, 11:00 PM

a first rate US made synthetic. My Amsoil site will be up by months end. Network members will be able to get all their synthetic lubricants at wholesale from the site. Meanwhile PM me for more info.
WGJ

drivemusicnow · #13 01-05-2006, 11:25 PM

Go with redline shockproof. I believe there is no better oil for the abuse that AWD cars can be subjected to. this is what 600+ hp DSMs use in stock diffs and they work out pretty well.

benebob · #14 01-06-2006, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomsSVX

I would highly suggest the redline... after that I would say Royal purple 75-90.

Tom

A word of caution on these two as they don't claim to be compatable with regular gear oil or didn't last I changed gear oil. Both Valvaline and Mobil syths are fully compatable with whatever you had in there before. If you go with redline or purple then be sure to get as much out as possible. In alaska you may wanna drive the car around for 3 hours inside.

mbtoloczko · #15 01-06-2006, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benebob

A word of caution on these two as they don't claim to be compatable with regular gear oil or didn't last I changed gear oil. Both Valvaline and Mobil syths are fully compatable with whatever you had in there before. If you go with redline or purple then be sure to get as much out as possible. In alaska you may wanna drive the car around for 3 hours inside.

There has been some ongoing discussions on Nabisco about creating a gear oil cocktail for the 5MT to improve shifting and gear lifetime. One of the more popular cocktails uses Redline Shockproof. I was curious about whether Redline Shockproof is compatible with other gear oils, so I called up Redline to ask. The tech guy I spoke with said it was fully compatible with other synthetics and dinos.