I need a 90w

[Stewart Fan]

I have oil bath hubs on my boat trailer and the specs calls for a 90w. I can't find anything over a 60w unless I go to a gear oil at 80w-90.

Does anyone know where I can find a 90w oil?

Would a 80w-90 be suitable?

 

[Pablo]

A 75W-110 would be ideal.

 

[jarvk22]

80w90 will be fine DONT use synthetic you need to change once a year do to water contamination.

 

[Steve S]

differential gear oil.

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: jarvk22
80w90 will be fine DONT use synthetic you need to change once a year do to water contamination.


Why not a synthetic?

This would be ideal: Amsoil Universal Synthetic Marine Gear Lube SAE 75W/80W-90 (AGM)

 

[INDYMAC]

I think the recommendations from Pablo will work well. But if you want to stay with the manufacturer recommendation of SAE 90 GL5 gear oil (if that's what's actually recommended), then the easiest to find would be Honda Motorcycle/Marine SAE 90 gear oil. The car dealers don't usually have it (or even know about it), but the bike and boat dealers should have it. Also, Schaeffers #267 (SAE 90) and Lubrication Engineers LE 1604 (SAE 90) would be even better choices if you can use a 5 gallon pail.

 

[jarvk22]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
Originally Posted By: jarvk22
80w90 will be fine DONT use synthetic you need to change once a year do to water contamination.


Why not a synthetic? He has to change it once a year the cost of synthetic would be a waste of money.

 

[Kestas]

Do the bearings have brass cages? (I kind of doubt it, but still had to ask).

 

[Stewart Fan]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
Do the bearings have brass cages? (I kind of doubt it, but still had to ask).


Nope.

 

[Stewart Fan]

Originally Posted By: INDYMAC
I think the recommendations from Pablo will work well. But if you want to stay with the manufacturer recommendation of SAE 90 GL5 gear oil (if that's what's actually recommended), then the easiest to find would be Honda Motorcycle/Marine SAE 90 gear oil. The car dealers don't usually have it (or even know about it), but the bike and boat dealers should have it. Also, Schaeffers #267 (SAE 90) and Lubrication Engineers LE 1604 (SAE 90) would be even better choices if you can use a 5 gallon pail.


The recommendation is SAE 90w.

5 gallons is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much. A qt bottle will be sufficient for about 4 changes. IIRC each hub holds about 2oz.

 

[Stewart Fan]

What about Lubrimatics 90w gear oil?

 

[Pablo]

There is a method to my madness. What used to have the SAE 90 viscosity range now is either 90 or 110. (see the new SAE chart). I think you want to assure you have a vis in the 110 range, but maybe it doesn't matter.

 

[Jim Allen]

My understanding is that PAO synthetics are not the best in terms of dealing with water ingress.. which is likely on a boat trailer. That was one reason I chose the LE Lubrication Engineers, Google it) straight 90 industrial oils for my 4x4s.

 

[INDYMAC]

Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
My understanding is that PAO synthetics are not the best in terms of dealing with water ingress.. which is likely on a boat trailer. That was one reason I chose the LE Lubrication Engineers, Google it) straight 90 industrial oils for my 4x4s.


Unfortunately, LE 607 is discontinued. What LE recommends as a replacement is 1605 (SAE 110), but it's a synthetic blend now with a different EP additive called Duolec. Apparently, the Almasol in 607 was getting trapped in filters for industrial applications, thus the reformulation. LE 1605 is available by the quart online from Rick's Accessories or Hardtopguy.
I think the easiest thing to do is go to a Honda motorcycle dealer and buy 1 quart of dino SAE 90 GL5 for the original poster.

 

[SpitfireS]

You can always use LE-1604, that's a single grade SAE 90.
But, as mentioned, a semi syn.
Here's a quote from the LE 1601-1609 flyer:
Quote:
Separates readily from water to provide effective
lubrication when moisture is present. Ordinary
gear oils will emulsify and foam, causing increased
frictional heat and poor lubrication.

My guess is that a single quart of LE-1604 will be hard to find.

The Honda Marine SAE 90 should be easy to buy.

 

[MolaKule]

Quote:
My understanding is that PAO synthetics are not the best in terms of dealing with water ingress.. which is likely on a boat trailer.


I am not so sure of that, but Pennzoil and others make Marine lubes in the 90 weight range; you might try some lower unit lubes designed for Marine applications.

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
My understanding is that PAO synthetics are not the best in terms of dealing with water ingress..


Not true.

 

[another Todd]

Keep a close eye on those hubs. They are notorious for allowing water in. The greased hubs with a bearing buddy type cover work much better as the allow spring pressurization of the hub. As it is under a slight pressure, water cannot enter. The oil type does not keep pressure in the hub and when submerged, the hub and oil cool creating a vacuum allowing water to enter. Most people who I know that have used them change them back to the lube type. So, watch for milky looking oil in the hubs. Any differential rated oil (75-90, 80-90) will work fine to answer your question.

 

[Stewart Fan]

Originally Posted By: another Todd
Keep a close eye on those hubs. They are notorious for allowing water in. The greased hubs with a bearing buddy type cover work much better as the allow spring pressurization of the hub. As it is under a slight pressure, water cannot enter. The oil type does not keep pressure in the hub and when submerged, the hub and oil cool creating a vacuum allowing water to enter. Most people who I know that have used them change them back to the lube type. So, watch for milky looking oil in the hubs. Any differential rated oil (75-90, 80-90) will work fine to answer your question.


I've got 2+ years and probably 10,000 miles on the oil bath hubs. I've never had a drop of water get into the hubs.

 

[bmwtechguy]

I'm surprised that Pablo did not mention Amsoil 75W-80W-90 marine gear lube which is supposed to deal with water ingress up to 10 percent very well. Yes it's synthetic, but the fact that it is designed to still perform well under those conditions would be enough for me. I have not actually tried it yet, but have heard good things from the outboard crowd. It is rated GL4 and GL5 IIRC. At the small volumes you are talking about, the cost should not be a big factor.