Hi all. I have been told that the newer GL-5 rated gear lubes have "buffers" added to them, so the sulphur and phosphorous additives won't react with tranny syncros. Does anyone have information or opinions on this? Thanks. Don
GL-5 Compatability with Bronze Tranny Parts
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Thanks for the reply, Widman. When I researched this matter last year, I was told to use Chevron "Delo"(?) gear oil. It is supposed to have low (or no) amounts of sulphur/phos additives, and uses another type of EP additive, which I forget the name of. Anyway, this special additive is supposed to be non-reactive with the syncros.
I also talked with a Coastal Brand tech, and he also said that their gear oils were "buffered", and would not harm the syncros. I guess those chemical reactions of the tranny soft metals with the EP additives are a thing of the past, and todays lubes are safe.....or at least safer.
[ August 05, 2002, 11:05 AM: Message edited by: TheLoneRanger ]
I also talked with a Coastal Brand tech, and he also said that their gear oils were "buffered", and would not harm the syncros. I guess those chemical reactions of the tranny soft metals with the EP additives are a thing of the past, and todays lubes are safe.....or at least safer.
[ August 05, 2002, 11:05 AM: Message edited by: TheLoneRanger ]
Widman, I just looked at your site, and discovered the additive is Borate. Those charts are very informative. Thanks.
Why not use the GL-4 classification gear oils? There are several out there and RedLine and Amsoil make a line as well.
Ditto on the GL-4. Running Redline MT-90 in the Maxima. It calls for GL-4.
well, true, only having a GL-5 in inventory and stating that it can be used effectively in GL-4 requirements is great for the company and easy on the mechanic or auto parts story dummy clerk. Moi, if my tranny calls for a GL-4 it gets a GL-4. I concur that RedLine MT90 or MTL are great GL-4 gear oils.
My Coastal lube is rated GL-5, 4, and 3! So it seems that the Coastal GL-5, at least, is backward compatable with the GL-4 and 3 ratings.
I have to assume that this lube has the GL-5 EP protection, and because it is also rated GL-4, will not harm tranny syncros. This is what I was told by their tech person, and it seems logical. The "buffering" part is what I was wondering about. I guess it's something like buffered asprin, maybe....
I too, was looking for one type of lube to stock, for changing my (GL-5)diffs, and my (GL-4)tranny in my 78 Bronco.
I have to assume that this lube has the GL-5 EP protection, and because it is also rated GL-4, will not harm tranny syncros. This is what I was told by their tech person, and it seems logical. The "buffering" part is what I was wondering about. I guess it's something like buffered asprin, maybe....
I too, was looking for one type of lube to stock, for changing my (GL-5)diffs, and my (GL-4)tranny in my 78 Bronco.
Loneranger,
I also use the Coastal gear oil in my vehicles,
I also called them about using the Same oil in the Manual trans and the diffs. They explained that newer formulations use compounds that do not attack softer metals like the old formulas did. I had called several oil/lube shops before that call and asked if they used different gl4 and gl5 lubes and they all said they only used gl5 these days, that the new gl5 (whichever brand they used) was good for all the gear boxes because the new EP additives were different than the older ones...
Long story short, I am using the GL5/4 oil now myself.
good morning to ya!
Rando
I also use the Coastal gear oil in my vehicles,
I also called them about using the Same oil in the Manual trans and the diffs. They explained that newer formulations use compounds that do not attack softer metals like the old formulas did. I had called several oil/lube shops before that call and asked if they used different gl4 and gl5 lubes and they all said they only used gl5 these days, that the new gl5 (whichever brand they used) was good for all the gear boxes because the new EP additives were different than the older ones...
Long story short, I am using the GL5/4 oil now myself.
good morning to ya!
Rando
Unless the formulations ( and many people seem to feel that they have) have changed the GL classifications have not been backward compatible like motor oils If this were the case we no longer see GL-4 on the shelves. Why then does RedLine and Amsoil make only a GL-4 oil?
Maybe the difference only shows up is severe applications.
Maybe the difference only shows up is severe applications.
Maybe Redline and Amsoil did not change the formulas for the GL5? When I was trying to find the GL4 I could not find ANY...that's what made me check why the Coastal brand said GL5/4...Don't know anything about the synthetics though..
It's not about backward compatibility. They co-exist because they are for completely different applications. GL-5 is for hypoid type gears, i.e. rear end, GL-4 is for tranny.
Red Line does make GL4 (MTL) and GL5 (their diff oil) and I'm sure Amsoil does too.
GL oils are not backward compatable for all aplications. The buffering keeps it from attacking the soft metals, but does not keep it from pitting them under stress. Iff you don't stress your transmissions, use it. A sulfur/phos buffered package rated GL-4/GL-5 will work in a lot of transmissions that require GL-4, but not all. I could show you ZF transmissions in Volvo trucks that are burned up because of it, and for that reason Volvo has started recommending motor oil for those transmissions because people insist that GL-4/GL-5 works when it doesn't.
GL-3 was so weak that anything over it covers it.
GL-6 does cover GL-5, so if it is rated GL-5 it more than protects a GL-5 trans or dif. (I think it runs around 60 lbs Timken, vs 40 lbs or so for the GL-5).
The Delo Gear IS compatable with all GL-4, GL-5, GL-6, and MT-1. The Borate composition does not chemically treat the surfaces and it reduces the heat. I've taken truck transmissions and reduced the operating temperature byalost 40 degrees Celsius by using it.
GL-3 was so weak that anything over it covers it.
GL-6 does cover GL-5, so if it is rated GL-5 it more than protects a GL-5 trans or dif. (I think it runs around 60 lbs Timken, vs 40 lbs or so for the GL-5).
The Delo Gear IS compatable with all GL-4, GL-5, GL-6, and MT-1. The Borate composition does not chemically treat the surfaces and it reduces the heat. I've taken truck transmissions and reduced the operating temperature byalost 40 degrees Celsius by using it.
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