Schaeffers Gear Lube & ATF

Shark Bait · Mar 7, 2004

Going to start using Schaeffers 274 #2 grease in my vehicles and it dawned on me that Schaeffer may make other products worth considering. It appears from posts on this site that there is a lot of discussion of Schaeffer greases but very little on their other products.

Is anyone using their 741 synthetic 75-90 gear lube in the GM HD series pickups with the Eaton G-80 differential? GM specs call for GM "Grape Juice" but it costs a ton. Most folks I know are using Mobil 1 Synthetic 75-90 with good results.

Does Schaeffer make a synthetic ATF that meets Dexron III and Allison (1000 series trans) specs? If so I can't seem to find any information on it.

sbc350gearhead · Mar 7, 2004

Schaeffer's makes a synthetic blend Dexron III fluid. I am currently using it, and it seems to work very well. It really improved the shift quality on my camry.

MolaKule · Mar 7, 2004

Here is the link:

http://www.schaefferoil.com/data/204S.html

Rebel Rouser · Mar 7, 2004

No experience with their #741 gear lube, but according to the tech data on their website, it appears the smallest quantity to purchase is a 40 pound pail, which I'm assuming is probably 5 gallons worth. There's a gear lube test on the mainpage of this site, demonstrating Schaeffer's 80W-90 synthetic blend gear lube, I would think the 75W-90 full synthetic would be just as impressive.

The #131 Neutra fuel treatment is a great product as well. I use that quite a bit, as I can buy it at a local mini-mart. They also sell the synthetic blend Dexron III ATF there for $3.79 a quart. I'll check a bottle next time I'm there for the Allison specs.

I plan on using more Schaeffer products myself. They provide great, cost-effective products.

Ken2 · Mar 8, 2004

Schaeffer's #741 gear oil is their only product approved by Schaeffer to use in those GM differentials. Yes, 40# is the smallest quantity, but at that price you could share with friends and come out way ahead.

Ken

Shark Bait · Mar 14, 2004

Ken2
Have you used or do you know anyone who has used Schaefers 741 in the Eaton G-80 diff used in the new GM 2500 HD trucks? If so what were the results?

I would like to switch to Schaeffers for the transmission, diffs and x-fer case but my biggest issue now is what to use in the diffs. The only Schaeffers distributor in the state strongly recommends using 167 and to a lesser degree 267. He says 741 is NOT made by Schaeffers but is from another manufacter(un-named at this time) and is repackaged by Schaeffers as a conveience to their customers. Any truth to this statement? For some reason he really does not like 741

I have asked the distributor to check with the tech folks at Schaeffers to get some answers. I want to see what he tells me before I go directly to the Schaeffer Tech Department.

I am sure any good quality GL-5, 75W-90 Synthetic would be OK as far as the gears and bearings are concerned, it is the G-80 limited- slip unit I am concerned with. I know from experience if you use a gear lube with the wrong additive package you can cause big problems with a limited-slip unit. Any insite here??

Ken2 · Mar 14, 2004

I know of one Public Utility Distric near here that uses Schaeffer's #741 in the differentials of their GM pickups. The reason they use 741 is because Schaeffer's chief chemist said that is the product to use. #267 is NOT a suitable product for your differential. #167 does not come in the 80W-90 that you need.

The only product I know of that Schaeffer does not manufacture is their tire sealant. I'm fairly certain that they make 741 and all the oils and all the greases except the one above. They also make all the fuel additives and other specialty products.

Try calling Schaeffer directly, (800) 325-9962, and ask about 741. Have the part number of the GM gear oil handy.

Ken

[ March 15, 2004, 01:16 AM: Message edited by: Ken2 ]

Shark Bait · Mar 15, 2004

The plot thickens. In my quest to determine IF Schaeffers 741 Synthetic Gear Lube will work in my 04 Chevy 2500HD with the Eaton G-80 limited slip unit it appears the only fluid that meets GM specs is the GM "Grape Juice" fluid.

My Schaeffer Distributor has discussed this application with Schaeffers Tech folks (I have not had time to call them) and Schaeffer says they have NO gear lube that meets the GM spec. That MAY mean they just have not tested 741 against the GM spec - not that it will not work. It may work just fine.

I suspect that is the case as Mobil 1 apparently does not meet the GM spec also but lot of folks are running Mobil 1 in these trucks without any problems.

Only Ken2 has indicated he knows of 741 being run in these trucks. Anyone else have any knowledege of 741 being run in the G-80??

Ken2 - Can you confirm the GM trucks running 741 have the G-80 Eaton units in them? What do you think - Schaferer 741 or Mobil 1??

Not overly concerned about running a "GM Spec" fluid if I knew it would work. I just don't want to be the ginny pig and end up with a fight with GM over warrenty issues because of a failed G-80 unit.

Can someone with a little more knowldge of lubricant specs look at the data sheets for Mobil 1 Synthetic 75W-90 and compare it with Schaeffers 741 for me? Thanks

Chris B. · Mar 15, 2004

I don't know about the 04 owners book but my 2003 Silverado's book says to use "75w90 synthetic gear lube" and nothing more. I put in M1 and it is dead quiet and no problems so far.

sbc350gearhead · Mar 15, 2004

I don't know about the factory eaton units, but I have 2 aftermarket eatons, that work great with RP max-gear 75w90............so I would imagine that the schaeffer's would work great as well.

Ken2 · Mar 16, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by Shark Bait:
...Only Ken2 has indicated he knows of 741 being run in these trucks. Anyone else have any knowledege of 741 being run in the G-80??

Ken2 - Can you confirm the GM trucks running 741 have the G-80 Eaton units in them? What do you think - Schaferer 741 or Mobil 1??

Not overly concerned about running a "GM Spec" fluid if I knew it would work. I just don't want to be the ginny pig and end up with a fight with GM over warrenty issues because of a failed G-80 unit.

Can someone with a little more knowldge of lubricant specs look at the data sheets for Mobil 1 Synthetic 75W-90 and compare it with Schaeffers 741 for me? Thanks

The spec sheets won't tell you, unless they list a cross reference to the GM part number for their gear oil. Schaeffer tech department did tell me that 741 is the correct gear oil for the new GM Duramax truck's differential. Mobil 1 is not.

Schaeffer's #204S Dexron/Mercon ATF is an excellent product. Schaeffer, along with every other Dexron ATF maker, will be coming out with the improved Dexron-III(H) version later this year.

Ken

Ferb · Mar 16, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by Ken2:
Schaeffer, along with every other Dexron ATF maker, will be coming out with the improved Dexron-III(H) version later this year.

Will this be a noticeable change (i.e. labels on bottles saying 'New and Improved') or just one of those sly behind the scenes change?

ferb!

Shark Bait · Mar 16, 2004

Ken2

Had a long conversation with one of the chemist/tech folks at Schaeffers today. The bottom line is just as I had thought.

Schaeffers makes the 741 - the story about them repackaging another brand is not true.

Schaeffer 741 has not been tested against the GM spec therefore it can not be listed as meeting the GM spec. It does not mean it would not meet the spec if tested.

The chemist told me that 741 will work fine with the Eaton G-80 limited-slip unit and not to worry. He also said that he would not recommend 267 in the GM application and believes that 741 is far superior to Mobil 1 75W-90 Synthetic. Mobil 1 does not meet the GM spec and it works fine so 741 should do even better. I believe him when he says 741 is superior to Mobil 1. Schaeffer has an excellent reputation.

Bottom line I will be putting 741 in both my front and rear diffs. Thanks for the help.

P.S. Any info on what the advantages to using the new ATF+4 will be in the Allison 1000? Would you wait for the new ATF or just go with the 204S ?

MolaKule · Mar 17, 2004

quote:

Will this be a noticeable change (i.e. labels on bottles saying 'New and Improved') or just one of those sly behind the scenes change?

The Dexron-III(H) is factory fill for many new GM 5,6 speed automatics for 100,000 mile (normal) service and this fluid will have to have GII+ or higher base fluids. The Dexron-III(H) spec will have a few new tests for oxidation control, viscosity retention, thermal stability, and slight FM modification.

Would you notice a shift feel in an older transmission with Dexron-III(H)? Probably not. Will the fluid last longer. Probably so.

MolaKule · Mar 18, 2004

Schaeffer's will have to qualify using an upgraded paraffinic base GII+ base oil.

The one they use now is a superrefined G1 paraffininc base that is superb.

Tones · Mar 18, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by MolaKule:
The Dexron-III(H) spec will have a few new tests for oxidation control, viscosity retention, thermal stability, and slight FM modification...Will the fluid last longer. Probably so.

Thanks Molakule. This is good news. Sounds like it may force Mobil 1 to address the viscocity shear we saw in the used oil analysis of their ATF. I don't know if Schaeffer's has this problem. If not, I guess they may just requalify the fluid without having to reformulate (Ferb's "sly, behind the scenes change")?

Schaeffers Gear Lube & ATF

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