Anyone ever used this Kendall product?

NHHEMI · Apr 12, 2013

In a couple months I am going to have the Rear Drive Assembly(RDA) and the Power Transfer Unit(PTU) serviced before taking a long trip. The manual calls for the following...

Originally Posted By: 2011 Jeep Patriot Owner's Manual

MOPAR Gear & Axle Lubricant SAE 80W-90 API GL 5 or equivalent non-synthetic product

My prefered go to fluid is RP MaxGear. If that manual info didn't include "non-synthetic" in the info I would not even give it another thought. However, seeing as the manual is specific about non-synthetic I am hesitant to run MaxGear.

I can't get a straight answer from Jeep( Chrysler )if it just means that is what was used and synthetic is actually ok or that it really means don't use synthetic because it matters?

So, I am thinking about running some Kendall 80W90 conventional gear oil if I can find it. I have become a fan of Kendall lubricants over the last few years and when I don't use RP they are becoming my go to brand. It is hard to find their stuff around here though.

I used to sell Kendall years and years ago and it was ok stuff. I think it is much better now that ConocoPhillips owns them. I haven't used their gear oil in a long time though so I am curious if any of you have and what you think of it?

Thanks.

This stuff here...

http://www.phillips66lubricants.com/brands-products/Single.aspx?pid=248&brand=Kendall+Motor+Oil

UNC017 · Apr 12, 2013

Originally Posted By: NHHEMI
In a couple months I am going to have the Rear Drive Assembly(RDA) and the Power Transfer Unit(PTU) serviced before taking a long trip. The manual calls for the following...

Originally Posted By: 2011 Jeep Patriot Owner's Manual

MOPAR Gear & Axle Lubricant SAE 80W-90 API GL 5 or equivalent non-synthetic product

My prefered go to fluid is RP MaxGear. If that manual info didn't include "non-synthetic" in the info I would not even give it another thought. However, seeing as the manual is specific about non-synthetic I am hesitant to run MaxGear.

I can't get a straight answer from Jeep( Chrysler )if it just means that is what was used and synthetic is actually ok or that it really means don't use synthetic because it matters?

I don't have an answer for you, but I'd love to know also just out of curiosity. Back when we had our Eagle Vision (Intrepid/Concorde's less-known sibling) with the 42LE transaxle, it had the very same "non-synthetic" requirement for the hypoid gear oil used in the differential section. I never knew why. The 42LE differed from the 41TE in that it had true ring-and-pinion gears like a rear-drive car because of the LH chassis' longitudinal engine installation. The 41TE differential had helical gears and was lubed by the ATF main sump.

NHHEMI · Apr 12, 2013

Wow is Kendall hard to find up here now. This topic may be moot. Been looking and looking and NOTHING local anymore. No one can even order it now? Have contacted Kendall directly for some distributors but haven't heard back yet.

Jeg's has it for $12 a qt + shipping = NOT! Can find it for reasonable $6-$7 a qt but those places only sell it by the case and I don't need a case( only takes 3 qts to do both units ).

OY!

hisilver · Apr 12, 2013

I don't have an answer for you either but have you considered Valvoline Durablend 80w90? I use this in my trucks front axle (where the manual suggests dino) and it seems to perform good.

CourierDriver · Apr 12, 2013

I may have used it in 1975.................

chad8 · Apr 12, 2013

4874468 Each $13.00 $13.00
$9.91
Gear & axle Lubricant SAE 80W-90
Gear & axle Lubricant SAE 80W-90 General purpose GL-5 gear lube. Use in rear axles as specified. Excellent wear and noise protection. 1 Quart (32 Oz.) Bottle Part No. 04874468
They use non-synthetic because some brass or bronze gears wear less and make less noise with non-synthetic. Same with some older foreign vehicles.

Any gl-5 non-synthetic would be fine.
Myself- I'd use synthetic anyway. Rp, Redline , or Amsoil .

Kira · Apr 13, 2013

Hello, I've just started maintaining a Liberty and folks on the Jeepforum all say use conventional gear oil. I know it's not the model in the OP's post, but it's not entirely unrelated. If conventional makes things quieter, I'm for that. Kira

UNC017 · Apr 15, 2013

Originally Posted By: Kira
Hello, I've just started maintaining a Liberty and folks on the Jeepforum all say use conventional gear oil. I know it's not the model in the OP's post, but it's not entirely unrelated. If conventional makes things quieter, I'm for that. Kira

Actually a Liberty is, for all intents and purposes, unrelated. VERY different drivetrain than a Patriot.

Hokiefyd · Apr 15, 2013

The drivetrain is different, but the ring & pinion design/geometry may be similar. It's not common to specifically identify a "non-synthetic" oil...so I'd probably follow the recommendation.

NHHEMI · Apr 15, 2013

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
It's not common to specifically identify a "non-synthetic" oil...so I'd probably follow the recommendation.

That is my thinking as well. They specifically added non-synthetic product so I am going to forgo my usual RP MaxGear for the Kendall( which I finally managed to track down ).

threeputtpar · Apr 15, 2013

Amalie and Wolf's Head have a very similar product, if that's easier to source in your location.

http://www.amalie.com/Portal.aspx?CN=7208F5B55DCC

NHHEMI · Apr 15, 2013

Thanks but I am not an Amalie fan. Used to sell it and just not impressed. I could get that at one of the stores I used to work at if I wanted. I really want the Kendall and looks like I have located it finally.

big_guy · Apr 16, 2013

My local gear shop guy uses Kendall 80w90. He says "used it for years never had any problems"

UNC017 · Apr 16, 2013

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
The drivetrain is different, but the ring & pinion design/geometry may be similar. It's not common to specifically identify a "non-synthetic" oil...so I'd probably follow the recommendation.

I'm not questioning whether or not to follow the recommendation- although I'd LOVE to know why its there! The only thing I can guess is seal compatibility.

But I will eat my hat if the Patriot's R&P are anything close to that of a Liberty. Patriot is a FWD based 4x4, and the R&P in the RDA are very small compared to the Liberty, which is still an old-school solid-axle rear-drive based 4x4 (at least for another year, maybe). I'm pretty sure it uses the same Chrysler 8.25" ring-and-pinion that has been in Jeeps since the AMC merger, and was in Chrysler cars and trucks for nearly 20 years before that. FWIW, I've run synthetic gear lube in Chrysler 8.25 and 8.75 rear axles with no troubles- not even seal compatibility. In fact I wouldn't run anything BUT synthetic in a solid-axle Jeep's rear axle! Its a very odd requirement in the Patriot, which like you said makes me more inclined to believe there's a real reason.

NHHEMI · Apr 16, 2013

440;

If you ever find out let me know because I would love to know why as well. I too think there is a specific reason but darned if I can find out what. Jeep( Chrysler )won't give an answer to direct questions on it. They refer you to the owner's manual and/or dealer and totally ignore the question.

Hokiefyd · Apr 17, 2013

Here's a discussion from a Jeep Patriot forum:

http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50724

And one from a Jeep Liberty forum:

http://www.jeepkj.com/forum/f196/what-gear-oils-53296/

Both discussions had some of the same points. They say that conventional lubricants have more "sticking" or "climbing" ability than synthetics do, and thus are more appropriate for ring & pinion lubrication.

NHHEMI · Apr 23, 2013

Well, I managed to track down some Kendall at a somewhat local parts store( 25 minute drive ). So I will be using it in the PTU and RDA on my Patriot.

Was a little hole in the wall parts store. A "REAL parts store with guys who looked parts up in books and actually had a clue. A little gem I plan to remember.

The stash waiting for use...

Anyone ever used this Kendall product?

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