Differential Oil / Transfer Case / Grease

[sigurross]

I'm planning to tackle a differential (front/rear), transfer case, and lube all grease points this week.

I'm not sure if I have LSD or not but I've read here it is safe to use Pensoil 80W/90 GL5 for conventional or LSD diff. So I'll probably get some of that. I'm curious if I can use this for the transfer case as well? The manual says 75W-85W GL4 or GL5. I lack the experience to determine if a deviation +/- 5 is significantly different or if it will be safe to use.

I have also heard you have to have a pump to fill the transfer case as the drain plug is also the fill plug? Can someone confirm.

As for the grease would some general purpose lithium based grease to the job? The manual says ep no 2 lithium based.

Thanks all.

[legionnair]

The diff fluid is fine for none LSD but you should pick up some friction modifier for LSD diffs
I believe you need to use GL4 for the transfer case because it uses a bronze syncronizer go to lordco and get the redline manual trans oil it is a 75w 80 GL4. Full synthetic best oil period

The drain plug is on the bottom the fill plug is at the back a pump will help filling, as for the grease I use Lucas red and tacy for u joints and wheel bearings, and a moly EP grease for the split yoke

And the fill and drain plugs are torque to 70NM
Good luck

Dustin

[sigurross]

I guess I should actually verify what type of differential I have. Procedures for that is spinning a wheel and seeing what direction the other wheel spins? Conventional diff wheels spin in opposite directions, and LSD both wheels spin in the same direction?

Thanks for your recommendation. I've heard great things about red line oil, seems like every seasoned mechanic I've talked too praises the stuff.

- Jason

[legionnair]

No LSD wheels in the air one will spin one way the other the opposite
LSD both will spin toge

[Rising Sun Auto Import]

You can tell LSD from the sticker on the driver side door as well.

Steven

[username]

so the sticker means what??

[username]

sticker=lsd no sticker=no lsd??

[nxski]

sticker=lsd no sticker=no lsd??

Exactly, unless it's fallen off or someone is trying to up-sell their van.

[sigurross]

I wouldn't put any confidence in identifying a differential type by a sticker.

If you need to know if you have lsd or not. Jack the back of your van up and spin one of the wheels. The contrary wheel will spin in the same direction if it is lsd and opposite direction if conventional.

Hope this helps.

[jessef]

You can tell LSD from the sticker on the driver side door as well.

Steven

Do NOT rely on that sticker. If the sticker is present but the vehicle has an open diff and you put in friction additive, you can have premature wear on the crown/pinion/gears. If the sticker is missing but the vehicle has a limited slip differential, you run the risk of not adding/using the correct LSD friction modifier and hurting the gears.

Like Nick said, you'll see a number of vehicles coming from Japan without the sticker (fell off or someone took it off) or with the LSD sticker on the door jam but no real LSD. Upselling comes to mind.

Surefire way to know if you have an LSD or open differential

Jack the back of your van up and spin one of the wheels. The contrary wheel will spin in the same direction if it is lsd and opposite direction if conventional.

[thedjjack]

If you read the sticker it clearly states "do not remove"

OK I have no idea what it says...

[gramadin]

I hope my question is not very stupid, but do you have to be in Neutral gear if you have an auto to perform this test?
Cheers

[sigurross]

I hope my question is not very stupid, but do you have to be in Neutral gear if you have an auto to perform this test?
Cheers

I know it is cliche, but there is no such thing as a dumb question. Doesn't make a difference what gear it's in, I tested mine in Park no problem. Make sure your hand brake isn't engaged and the wheels should spin.

- Jason

[Rising Sun Auto Import]

You can tell LSD from the sticker on the driver side door as well.

Steven

Do NOT rely on that sticker. If the sticker is present but the vehicle has an open diff and you put in friction additive, you can have premature wear on the crown/pinion/gears. If the sticker is missing but the vehicle has a limited slip differential, you run the risk of not adding/using the correct LSD friction modifier and hurting the gears.

Like Nick said, you'll see a number of vehicles coming from Japan without the sticker (fell off or someone took it off) or with the LSD sticker on the door jam but no real LSD. Upselling comes to mind.

Surefire way to know if you have an LSD or open differential

Jack the back of your van up and spin one of the wheels. The contrary wheel will spin in the same direction if it is lsd and opposite direction if conventional.

Telling just common sense.

Steven

[legionnair]

You can tell LSD from the sticker on the driver side door as well.

Steven

Do NOT rely on that sticker. If the sticker is present but the vehicle has an open diff and you put in friction additive, you can have premature wear on the crown/pinion/gears. If the sticker is missing but the vehicle has a limited slip differential, you run the risk of not adding/using the correct LSD friction modifier and hurting the gears.

Not true, LSD still run crowns/pinion and they do not prematurely wear out from the friction modifier. I agree you don't want to run normal diff oil in an LSD or you will burn up your clutch plates.

Dustin