Howto: Add transmission fluid on manual 5-speed.
08-05-2013, 08:27 AM
#16
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Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.o
Ahhh...
A few things.
Bog standard gear oil will destroy your synchronizers. API GL-5 rated oil uses a high amount of sulphurous Extreme Pressure additives that is corrosive to the brass synchronizer rings in AX-15s. You need to find API GL-3 or 4, a gear oil that achieves GL-5 without the use of suplphur additives, or a purpose-made fluid for synchronized manual transmissions such as Royal Purple Synchromax or Redline MT-90. Leaving GL-5 in there will cut the life of your transmission in half versus regular fluid.
85w140 is too thick for the AX-15. You will notice reduced fuel economy and poor shifting, possibly increased wear when the transmission is cold. 85w140 GL-5 is designed for hypoid-gear differentials and is not appropriate for use in gear boxes that rely on the fluid being thin enough to splash around. The AX-15 has no pump and can only be warmed up with use. The manufacturer calls for 75w90 only.
PTFE additives for driveline components have fabulous marketing but are 100% a complete scam. DuPont, the manufacturer of PTFE and trademark holder of Teflon, revoked the license to the Teflon name some years ago because the additive absolutely does not work. The US FTC has sued manufacturers of the products for the same reason (DuraLube and Slick 50). Some tests even showed that, in an engine oil application, use of PTFE-containing "anti-wear" additives actually caused an INCREASE in component wear. Complete waste of money.
Seems to me you have some work to do if you want to keep your transmission...
A few things.
Bog standard gear oil will destroy your synchronizers. API GL-5 rated oil uses a high amount of sulphurous Extreme Pressure additives that is corrosive to the brass synchronizer rings in AX-15s. You need to find API GL-3 or 4, a gear oil that achieves GL-5 without the use of suplphur additives, or a purpose-made fluid for synchronized manual transmissions such as Royal Purple Synchromax or Redline MT-90. Leaving GL-5 in there will cut the life of your transmission in half versus regular fluid.
85w140 is too thick for the AX-15. You will notice reduced fuel economy and poor shifting, possibly increased wear when the transmission is cold. 85w140 GL-5 is designed for hypoid-gear differentials and is not appropriate for use in gear boxes that rely on the fluid being thin enough to splash around. The AX-15 has no pump and can only be warmed up with use. The manufacturer calls for 75w90 only.
PTFE additives for driveline components have fabulous marketing but are 100% a complete scam. DuPont, the manufacturer of PTFE and trademark holder of Teflon, revoked the license to the Teflon name some years ago because the additive absolutely does not work. The US FTC has sued manufacturers of the products for the same reason (DuraLube and Slick 50). Some tests even showed that, in an engine oil application, use of PTFE-containing "anti-wear" additives actually caused an INCREASE in component wear. Complete waste of money.
Seems to me you have some work to do if you want to keep your transmission...
08-05-2013, 10:56 AM
#17
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Year: 1999
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Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
Strange. I've put Nulon in every motor I've ever had, ranging from a 1.3 litre Ford Escort through to the 245 Hemi 6 in my Valiants. Never a problem, and they all just kept on going, even after the point where they would normally have needed a rebore. Only ever needed a light hone and new rings. The oil I've got is rated API GL5, BTW. Thicker oil is needed here, where outside air temps can easily top 40 Celsius (104 F in the old scale). I habitually double shuffle my shifts, both up and down, so the syncro rings get an easy time of it anyhow. The Nulon will help there too.
BTW, Slick 50 was never anything like Nulon, it used tetraflouroethylene (TFE), not polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Since only PTFE can be called Teflon, you'll find that that is why Slick 50 and others were sued - they were using the trademarked name on the wrong product.
BTW, Slick 50 was never anything like Nulon, it used tetraflouroethylene (TFE), not polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Since only PTFE can be called Teflon, you'll find that that is why Slick 50 and others were sued - they were using the trademarked name on the wrong product.
Get the 85w140 GL-5 out. If you're concerned about high heat run synthetic 75w90.
11-01-2013, 06:58 AM
#19
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Year: 1998
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Engine: 2.5 litre Diesel (VM)
Getting a GL4 oil in Australia is almost mission impossible. I've found two so far, on being a brand that I avoid like the plague (Castrol). The other is a monograde 80 weight. Question is, is the monograde suitable? As I said in a previous post, much of my driving will be in temps topping 100F.
BTW, the tranny is most likely an AX5, it's behind the VM Diesel. Still got to check that more carefully, not too sure how to tell the difference.
BTW, the tranny is most likely an AX5, it's behind the VM Diesel. Still got to check that more carefully, not too sure how to tell the difference.
Last edited by settantta; 11-01-2013 at 07:00 AM. Reason: extra info.
11-01-2013, 08:56 AM
#20
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Year: 1999
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Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
VM 2.5 should have an AX-15 behind it. The easy way to tell the difference is a sort of ring that mates the front and rear halve of the gear box together. Just stick a magnet on it! AX-15 is aluminum, AX-5 has a cast iron ring.
I have no idea about a monograde gear oil. Doesn't sound wise. No shops that supply Redline or Royal Purple lubricants?
I have no idea about a monograde gear oil. Doesn't sound wise. No shops that supply Redline or Royal Purple lubricants?
11-01-2013, 04:10 PM
#21
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11-01-2013, 05:04 PM
#23
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Autobarn at Ellenborough and Limestone Street
11-01-2013, 05:44 PM
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11-01-2013, 05:59 PM
#25
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11-01-2013, 06:11 PM
#26
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Fuchs Supergear 75-w85 is also a GL4. Semi-synthetic.
11-01-2013, 08:39 PM
#28
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Hopefully it will be a bit cheaper than the Redline oil. Just got a price, OUCH!
11-01-2013, 08:46 PM
#29
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$18/bottle here I think. What are you looking at, $30 or something?
11-01-2013, 11:23 PM
#30
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I'm guessing the $18 you mention is in US dollars, in the USA?
Last edited by settantta; 11-01-2013 at 11:24 PM. Reason: clarify.