ATF instead of Gear Lube in 4x4 Transfercase?

[Huhwhye]

Can an ATF be used in place of gear oil in a 4wd transfer case that calls for a 80-90 GL5? I'm talking about a real ATF for automatics (Dexron, Mercon etc), and not an MTL made to be used in place of ATF in a manual trans.

I have my reasons for asking, just like to know if it will work?

[ April 29, 2005, 02:51 PM: Message edited by: Huhwhye ]

 

[MolaKule]

Nope! Your TC will have accelerated wear because the EP package in an ATF is insufficient for a GL5 gear design.

 

[Huhwhye]

Thanks for the quick response.

What will happen in an automatic if there is contaimination from gear oil leaking into the transmission from the t-case?

How about the converse. What happens to the ability of the gear oil to lube the transfer case if it's contaminated by ATF?

[ April 29, 2005, 05:31 PM: Message edited by: Huhwhye ]

 

[reyjay1]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huhwhye:
Thanks for the quick response.

What will happen in an automatic if there is contaimination from gear oil leaking into the transmission from the t-case?

How about the converse. What happens to the ability of the gear oil to lube the transfer case if it's contaminated by ATF?

---

On ford 4wd, the transfer case is speced to be filed with ATF. Now whether there is anything different in the build of this transfer case from one that spec's gear oil I have no idea. From what I undestand this is chain driven though.

 

[rgl]

I don't think anyone here will be able to give you a precise answer because of many variables. Suffice it to say in either scenario you are a point somewhere on a graph curve that stretches from No Effect to Total Failure. Military Vehicles Magazine suggests that if you are out in the desert and you end up draining your crankcase/transfer case/differential, filling with any oil is better than nothing. This is to include Crisco, sunblock, and possibly your great grandfather's Brylcreem. However, this assumes you will not care what happens to the vehicle engine/drivetrain if you make it out alive. Otherwise, the correct fluid in the correct application - or fix the problem that is causing the mixing.

 

[Huhwhye]

I didn't really want to get into that part. Its not a stock application. Just trying to keep it simple. There really isn't a problem that can be fixed.

I'm talking about a vehicle running multiple transfer cases and some serious gear reduction. If it was as easy as fixing the problem I wouldn't have asked the question.

 

[tom slick]

I think toyota specs ATF in thier transfer cases if it is behind an automatic.

 

[Huhwhye]

its not a stock application

 

[MolaKule]

Some Jeeps, Toyotas, and others spec 75W90 GL5 gear lubes for the TC while the lighter low-duty TC's will spec ATF.

Where a 75W90 is speced in the TC, our MTL-R works great. For those TC's that spec ATF, our MTFGlide is best.

quote:

---

What will happen in an automatic if there is contaimination from gear oil leaking into the transmission from the t-case?

---

The gear lube will contaminate the fluid with additives it doesn't need or want and glaze your clutch packs.

quote:

---

How about the converse. What happens to the ability of the gear oil to lube the transfer case if it's contaminated by ATF?

---

The ATF will thin your GL considerably and reduce the film strength and thickness of your GL fluid and cause a possible failure.

 

[Huhwhye]

Thanks, that makes sense.

 

[RavenTai]

quote:

---

Originally posted by tom slick:
I think toyota specs ATF in thier transfer cases if it is behind an automatic.

---

not on a Land Cruiser,

 

[Bror Jace]

"For those transfer cases that spec ATF, our MTFGlide is best."

Thanks, MolaKule, I had been wondering about that for a while now. Actually, ever since Bogatyr told me the transfer case in a Nissan Xterra called for ATF.

It always seemed bizarre to me to specify an ATF for a transfer case.

--- Bror Jace

 

[widman]

There is a big variety called for out there, so I always look for my check-chart booklet, although I don't download the corrections to misprints.
I've seen dozens of automatic transmissions where GL5 has been used, none have ever been salvagable due to coatings and corrosion on sensors, inside tubing and ductwork, etc. The clutches sometimes can either be sanded or will wear back (this I've seen where GL5 was used in front end loaders with automatic transmissions).
Toyota has both gear driven and chain driven transfer cases.
Aside from additive, where 80W-90 is called for, ATF is too thin to protect, where ATF is called for 80W-90 is to thick.

 

[Big O Dave]

Yes, chain-driven TC's use ATF and gear-driven ones use gear oil.

 

[wileyE]

Had a '90 F250 4x4 that used a big mazda built 5spd came filled with ATF, owners manual said to use 80/90 in it for heavy towing or hauling. Always seemed kinda goofy to me, the lubes aren't even close.