Dana 30 axle 85W140

[Sam_Julier]

I just had the differential rebuilt in our 1993 240 wagon. It's a Dana 30 axle. The shop filled it with 85W-140 GL-5 gear oil and recommends I continue to use it year around, even in New England winters. The diff is noticeably quieter. I've always used 80W-90 GL-5 (meeting the SAE J2360 spec) per the manual.

The wagon is driven on long trips, heavily loaded, and often with lots of mountain passes.

85W-140 seems unnecessarily heavy. But maybe it adds a little extra protection? I'm not sure what to make of this.

Thanks in advance for any comments. Sam

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I've run 85w140 and 80w90 in my Jeep's dana 30 and noticed no difference unless it was extremely cold. Then it just seemed more sluggish than normal for a half mile or so.

 

[JLTD]

It will likely add some protection… Since you have had to rebuild it, and you're always heavily loaded, I would say stick with the heavier oil.

 

[benjy]

depending on the base oils used it may or not be better. my 11 frontier has a nissan-dana 60 + OE is semi syn 75-140 BUT the Dana site specs 75-90 synthetic, theres also a 75-110 for it. i opted for ALL real synthetic Redline lubes + 75-90 in the rear + picked up at least 3 MPG's

 

[zeng]

Keep the 85W140 for it could be running cooler,since it's quieter as you'd say.
Yes, it's for components protection, and you can kiss goodbye to irritating whines whilst in use.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I run that in the front and rear of my 05 Liberty, no issues, and it was -38F here last winter. Most high end axle makers actually recommend Dino over synthetic and will deny warranty if Dino isn't used. The way I understand it is that in a splash lubricated system, you want something to "stick" better, synthetic flows better and doesn't stick as well, so it doesn't transfer heat as well.