Mobil 1 75W-90 for Land Cruiser Diffs?

[Tim]

My brother just had a Toyota tech refuse to put his Mobil 1 gear lube into the diffs of his '96 Land Cruiser (open diffs). The tech said Toyota does not recommend Mobil 1 because it causes chatter.

I have Mobil 1 in my '97 LX-450 diffs (factory lockers) and I have no idea what this tech is talking about.

Am I deaf, or is the tech blowing smoke and trying to sell more diff lube?

thanks,

Tim

 

[tdi-rick]

yes Tim, he's full of it.
Maybe that's a bit harsh.
What he's saying is incorrect.

Chatter can occur in clutch pack limited slip diff (known as a Salisbury type here and the UK) if there is insufficient friction modifier, but this also depends on plate pre-load and ramp angle used.

For an open diff, or any full locker (Detroit, ARB, Toyota OEM) it's a non issue.

Rick.

 

[Gurkha]

I have been using Mobil-I gear oil as well as ATF oil in all my vehicles from early 90s. Currently I use it on my G-Wagen diffs as well as transfer case. The G-Wagen has manual, lockable front and rear diffs, I have friends with Toyota Land Cruiser as well as Nissan Patrols who also are using Mobil-I and some have clocked over 500,000Km without any diff or transfer case related problems.

Point is, no problems with your vehicle means really bad news for the Toyota dealership where the mechanic's paycheck is at stake, after all, the 300% mark up on parts as well as real high labor rates, why would he bother to put something that would extend your vehicle's life, the more problems, the better it is for the dealership as well as Toyota to an extent.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I ran Mobil 1 75w-90 in my '97 Land Cruiser's diffs for 50k miles with no issues. A standard differential, or even a Toyota electric locking differential is not going to chatter. There are no friction plates to chatter, just heavy duty gears and bearings. It is good stuff and will increase your gas mileage slightly, especially when used in the transfercase which specifies 75w-90.

 

[Tim]

Thanks for the replies. You fellows have confirmed what only made sense to me. It is always nice to get more data, though!

Thanks again,


Tim

 

[theguru]

Tim, what does he manual say for your model? If the spec is the same as the Mobil 1 I can't see how he can refuse.

 

[Tim]

quote:

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Originally posted by theguru:
Tim, what does he manual say for your model? If the spec is the same as the Mobil 1 I can't see how he can refuse.

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The manual simply specifies 90wt GL-5 above 0 degrees F. Below 0 degrees F either 80W or 80W-90.

Tim

 

[jsharp]

The entire driveline in my manual trans 4Runner is filled with Mobil 1 75w-90. The shifting is a lot smoother than the OEM lube especially in the winter. I've had no trouble with the rear electric locker using the M1 either other than it sometimes doesn't want to disengage immediately. I saw that behavior with the original lube also though so I doubt it's related to the lubricant...

 

[RavenTai]

quote:

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Originally posted by jsharp:
other than it sometimes doesn't want to disengage immediately. I saw that behavior with the original lube also though so I doubt it's related to the lubricant...

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I understand the 4Runner/Taco rear lockers of certain years are very similar (not identical) to the LC 3 lockers, this is normal in a LC, if you make any turns wile it is locked one wheel wants to turn more than the other the locker prevents this and therefore is loaded in one direction or the other that loads the square teeth of the locker against each other giving them more friction than the springs that unlock the locker can pull, happens more often on hard pack dirt and other higher traction surfaces (you not not locking it on pavement right?)

They can also be slow to engage if the teeth of the locker halves are not lined up, one tire slipping or a turn will let it pop in under spring pressure

 

[jsharp]

quote:

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Originally posted by RavenTai:

quote:

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Originally posted by jsharp:
other than it sometimes doesn't want to disengage immediately. I saw that behavior with the original lube also though so I doubt it's related to the lubricant...

---

I understand the 4Runner/Taco rear lockers of certain years are very similar (not identical) to the LC 3 lockers, this is normal in a LC, if you make any turns wile it is locked one wheel wants to turn more than the other the locker prevents this and therefore is loaded in one direction or the other that loads the square teeth of the locker against each other giving them more friction than the springs that unlock the locker can pull, happens more often on hard pack dirt and other higher traction surfaces (you not not locking it on pavement right?)

They can also be slow to engage if the teeth of the locker halves are not lined up, one tire slipping or a turn will let it pop in under spring pressure

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No, I'm not locking it on pavement. I know it's common with them, I just thought I'd mention it. I don't worry about it. It will disengage eventually...