synthetic oil in diff.
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Re:synthetic oil in diff.
I tried 85/140 synthetic in my '02 LS, and lost the LS function - too slippery - I had to drain it and go with a similar weight synthetic blend - that seems to be working great so far - LS works fine, etc - we tow a 24 ft fiver...
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From: Stockton, CA
Re:synthetic oil in diff.
Thanks for the information, I would not want to lose the LS function. Did you use any particular brand that you are happy with? I see Valvoline makes a "blend" and some others.
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From: Southwest VA
Re:synthetic oil in diff.
I am running 75w-140 Amsoil 2000 in my '02 and I had to add LS additive. This stuff is so thin, it drains down if the truck is parked for long periods of time and when you first start to move, the diff. pops and grabs. After a few 100 ft all is fine. Definetly change to synthetic. My LS works fine.<br><br>Tim
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Re:synthetic oil in diff.
And THERE'S the problem with the LS units in our trucks - tolerances and specific LS action is all over the map, and varies greatly from one truck to another! :
: :
"One size" DOESN'T fit all! ;D
MY truck, with the same Amsoil, totally LOST it's LS action - the Amsoil was too slippery for my particular LS unit/clutches, and I had to drain it and go to Valvoline synthetic blend...
Lotsa guys seemingly switch to various synthetics in their LS differentials, and if they don't chatter, figure they are home free - never checking or realizing their LS unit is not operating any longer - or at least not properly.
I like to observe at least a SMALL degree of OCASSIONAL grab or chatter as I round a sharp turn when the truck is empty of load - then I can be pretty sure the LS is operating to a useful degree - otherwise, what's the use of having it?
: :"One size" DOESN'T fit all! ;D
MY truck, with the same Amsoil, totally LOST it's LS action - the Amsoil was too slippery for my particular LS unit/clutches, and I had to drain it and go to Valvoline synthetic blend...
Lotsa guys seemingly switch to various synthetics in their LS differentials, and if they don't chatter, figure they are home free - never checking or realizing their LS unit is not operating any longer - or at least not properly.
I like to observe at least a SMALL degree of OCASSIONAL grab or chatter as I round a sharp turn when the truck is empty of load - then I can be pretty sure the LS is operating to a useful degree - otherwise, what's the use of having it?
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From: Westminster, Maryland
Re:synthetic oil in diff.
Hi DW,<br>When you change your engine oil over to Amsoil, make sure you use use their engine flush, before installing it. I have heard of higher oil consumption when the engine is not flushed. Check with Amsoil on that one. Your mileage ay be low enough that you need not do that.<br>AS for the LS units. I really could live without mine. I can live the occassional corning chatter. But, as for rainy weather driving, when empty. It totally SUCKS! At least twice it has scared the SH*T out of me, when I poke it just a smidge too hard and nearly spun her around. Suppose had I not had so much experience driving recreational four wheel drive and western Maryland snow driving, I would have lost it. Recovery seemed second nature. The nearly soiled jeans simply was not cool. <br>Maybe I should go with the Amsoil in the rear just to regain some tracking.<br>Well, what ever works for you all.
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From: Stockton, CA
Re:synthetic oil in diff.
Now I'm confused as to what to put in the rear end. Dodge calls for synthetic, but Gary has had bad luck with the LS slipping, and working o.k. with the blend of conventional and synthetic. Will the blend protect as well? I know for years all we had was conventional oil, and there are alot of rear ends that have went a long while. I think the most important thing is to probably change the oil periodically.
I don't want to lose my LS function, as I twice a year rely on it to get me up a dirt road in Canada; a whole 400ft. but without 4WD it does o.k. With the open diff I had on my previous truck, it would spin, so it does make a huge difference. If the blend offers protection and works o.k. why not. Anyone know the percentage of synthetic to conventional in the blend? 50%, 30%, 1% or ?
I don't want to lose my LS function, as I twice a year rely on it to get me up a dirt road in Canada; a whole 400ft. but without 4WD it does o.k. With the open diff I had on my previous truck, it would spin, so it does make a huge difference. If the blend offers protection and works o.k. why not. Anyone know the percentage of synthetic to conventional in the blend? 50%, 30%, 1% or ?
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Re:synthetic oil in diff.
"If the blend offers protection and works o.k. why not. Anyone know the percentage of synthetic to conventional in the blend? 50%, 30%, 1% or ?"<br><br>That's exactly MY question as well!<br><br>I really would like the added benefit of synthetic, but NOT if I must sacrifice the function of my LS to obtain it - about 5 days ago, I sent an Email to Valvoline asking about synthetic percentages in their "synthetic blend" when/if I hear back from them, I will post their reply here - if they refuse to reply, we can probably assume the synthetic percentage is pretty small, and they don't wanna talk about it...
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From: Stockton, CA
Re:synthetic oil in diff.
Gary, thanks for following up with Valvoline, I am very interested in what they have to say. I will be watching for your post, and as you said, if they fail to reply, I would assume the percentage is a drop in the bottle. If it's 50% or around there, I would be inclined to go with it.
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From: Sturbridge, Taxachusetts
Re:synthetic oil in diff.
Just to add another brand, I've used Mobil 1 gear lube in mine for the last 24K miles. Although the lube bottle said no LS additived was required, it bucked like crazy when cold. One bottle of Kendall LS additive cured most of the problem, but I still get a little kick in the morning as I turn out of my driveway to let me know the LS is functioning.
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Re:synthetic oil in diff.
I just put Mobil 1 synthetic 75-90 if the rear axle Friday. I didn't have to put any friction modifier as of yet. No noise when turning in circles. I bought the Chrysler friction modifier just in case.
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Re:synthetic oil in diff.
I switched to synthetic too, and no noise from the differential when turning tight circles - THEN, one day soon after, got one wheel out on a grassy, muddy surface and the other on hard packed dirt - the slick side spun, and the truck just SAT there - my LS was no longer working due to slipperyness of the synthetic lube.<br><br>Don't *assume* that simply because you don't get any grabbing or chirping from the rear tires after a lube switch, that all is well - IF your LS action is important to you, CHECK IT! Get one side on a loose surface, the other on a solid one, and start out aggressively to determine if the LS is helping any in poor traction situations, NO, they are NOT "lockers", they are LIMITED slip differentials, but they SHOULD help in a significant way when needed.<br><br>The LS clutches in our differentials vary CONSIDERABLY from one truck to another, and just because yer bud Joe got good results from "brand A" lube DOES NOT mean YOURS will do the same - ya gotta CHECK IT to make sure - and maybe make adjustments as to what lube will work best in YOUR LS differential! ;D ;D
;D ;D