I hate gl-5 and will try my hardest not to use it. what can i use instead had a 91 jeep and always ran gl_5 in it cause thats what it calls for 1 year on a brand new trans runnning gl-5 trans went out. the gl-5 ate away at the internal components. i only have one gear box in the mav so expensive fluid is no big deal i was used to buying like 10 quarts of gl-5 at a time. everything except the transfer case in the jeep required it
GL-5 is fine. It was the Jeep tranny that was bad from drawing board to production. Just be glad it wasn't a GM and requiring syncromesh fluid. now that stuff is ridiculous.
GL-5 is not what was bad in your application.... all GL-5 means is that it meets current requirements for anti-corrosion, shear stability, anti-oxidation, and lubrication... just the same as the SAE numbers, but used for gear oil.... a lot of it depends on what BRAND you use though, i've noticed the additives used in the Valvoline brands are a bit stronger, and have a much higher sulfur content? What gear oil weight is your application calling for? The other thing you have to be VERY careful of, is a lot of the gear oils you grab in a bottle at the parts store will have the limited slip additives... BAD NEWS for a manual trans, as it can deteriorate the sync rings, and the additive it's self can prematurely wear bearings that aren't designed in a limited slip application... that could be a large part of the problem you ran into with the jeep. The problem in GL-5 Additive packages that are on the market comes from the EP addtivies (extreme pressure) that are needed when you have a Hypoid type gearset. (additives allow the oil to tolerate high compression of the lubricant due to the sliding motion) wich can eat brass and copper (yellow metals) Simply look at the bottle, and find out what additives are in it, and stay away from the agressive chemicals that attack the yellow metals, and you will be fine. If all else fails, go with a GL-1 Spec oil... as they are additive free pure oil. You'll ahve to drain and fill more often, to prevent sludge buildup, and they don't keep the innards as clean, but it's safer than buying a GL-5 lubricant with the EP additives.
Are you replacing the rear differential fluid, or a manual trans? To make things easier, just know i run Valvoline 80w90 in the rear axle on my maverick, GL-5 won't hurt it at all.
thank you guys so much. im replacing the fluid in the rear end of the mav. ill run the 80-90 valvoline. i just dont trust the manufacturers recommended fluids anymore, but now i know what to look out for when im working with a manual trans
ive found the gear oil the manifactures are puting in differentals is junk. its a synthetic and its too slipery to protect the gears from premature wear. i have found many trucks wipe out there gear set with in 15000 miles with the factory oil. i belive that the factorys are using these oils to try to get beter gas milage. they have to meet a gross fleet fuel economy level and do any thing to get any increase in milage. the first thing i recomend when you get a new rear wheel drive it to change the gear oil to a quality natrual base gear oil.
