Possible auto transmission oil in diff.

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jul 2, 2001 | 03:26 PM

spshultz

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Jun 2001

Posts: 107

Likes: 0

From: Pater, Maine

Possible auto transmission oil in diff.

After I got my truck back from the muffler place I took it over to have the engine oil changed and tranny oil and filter changed. I was sitting outside when they came up to me and told me that I had a very light pink oil in the diff. I thought that maybe it was some additive for a limited-slip but I knew I didn't have one. It always will spin only one back tire. I didn't believe them so they asked me to come down under the truck and see. Sure as s!%$ it was full of this light pink fluid that was very thin (almost like water) and had almost the same smell as burnt tranny fluid.

I have no idea what that stuff was. When I first bought the truck, when putting it into drive, reverse or what ever it clanked pretty good. I thought I had bad universals but I got under there and they are good. But I noticed that my wife put it into drive or reverse there seemed to be a lot of play in the rear diff. The truck lurches forward or backward like it has a high idle but it doesn't.

So I ask; Any ideas as to what it is/was? And if this was the incorrect diff oil might it have caused the clanking/lurching (which it still does)?

Thanks!

Jul 2, 2001 | 07:40 PM

otto

Posting Guru

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 1,686

Likes: 1

From: Racine WI

Possible auto transmission oil in diff.

Im not sure about axles but atf is whats used in late model manual trannies and transfer cases, i would still think a axle would take gear lude tho, fill it with 80w-90 and call it good, should muffle the clank too, also some play is normal in the diff, no more than an 1/8 of a turn tho

Jul 2, 2001 | 07:48 PM

spshultz

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Jun 2001

Posts: 107

Likes: 0

From: Pater, Maine

Possible auto transmission oil in diff.

The manual says the rear diff takes a Hypoid gear oil which I assume to be something like the 80w-90 gear oil. The stuff in it was definitely not 80w-90.

weird!

Jul 3, 2001 | 10:53 AM

jim henderson

Postmaster

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 4,968

Likes: 3

From: So Cal

Possible auto transmission oil in diff.

I didn't see what model tuck you have so the answer depends...

Some light duty trucks and cars do use ATF in the tranny and or differential. Most heavy duty trucks and some cars use regular gear lube, I think GL5 is the current spec for most trucks. Most limited slip differentials will use some limited slip additive along with the lube.

The key is to check your owners manual to see what you should use or specify what model truck and if possible the tranny and differntial. I would post this question under the transmission and differntial section of this website since the people who would most likely know exact answers will probably lurk there. Wouldn't hurt to post here to, to increase your odds.

I personally like Valvoline or Mobil 1 synthetics for gear lube and I use Sta Lube limited slip differential additive(2 tubes when using a synthetic is what was recommended to me).

Good Luck.

Jim Henderson

Jul 3, 2001 | 02:16 PM

spshultz

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Jun 2001

Posts: 107

Likes: 0

From: Pater, Maine

Possible auto transmission oil in diff.

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 03-Jul-01 AT 03:16 PM (EST)[/font][p]Sorry about that. It's an '85 with a 3.55 8.8 (non limited slip I think. It only spins one rear wheel).

And thanks for all the replies. I wanna know this truck inside and out and I'm slowly getting there.

Jul 3, 2001 | 11:12 PM

PAUL_2

Postmaster

Joined: Jul 1999

Posts: 3,172

Likes: 4

Possible auto transmission oil in diff.

The rear end should have gear oil . Either 75 or 80 W . Its possible someone put trans fluid in there ? Regardless , it would be a good idea to replace it .

Jul 4, 2001 | 01:13 PM

spshultz

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Jun 2001

Posts: 107

Likes: 0

From: Pater, Maine

Possible auto transmission oil in diff.

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 04-Jul-01 AT 02:13 PM (EST)[/font][p]Yeah, after seeing that red stuff coming out of the diff I told them to change it right there. The oil they put in was much thicker and more yellowish/brown in color. I still get the same "clank" from the rearend though. Guess it's time for limited-slip. At least that's the excuse I'll use for my wife. ;-)