Rear Dif oil
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From: British Columbia, Canada
Rear Dif oil
I've changed all the fluids in my 2000 Ex at 100,000 kms except for the rear diferential. I want to swap it out as well.
The Ex comes from the factory with synthetic oil. A mechanic told me that I have to replace it only with synthetic as using a petroleum based oil will not work once the metal has been in synthetic.
It sounds like so much bupkus to me. I will likely replace it with synthetic again but would like to hear others opinion on this just so I can sleep at night.
The Ex comes from the factory with synthetic oil. A mechanic told me that I have to replace it only with synthetic as using a petroleum based oil will not work once the metal has been in synthetic.
It sounds like so much bupkus to me. I will likely replace it with synthetic again but would like to hear others opinion on this just so I can sleep at night.
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I've been in the quick lube business for some time now. I've never heard of any problems with switching from synthetic to convetional oils before. I would check the specs before going with a different lube in any of the gear boxes. Many manufacturers require a special gear lube or additive. Conventional may work, but may also shorten the life of the diff. Personally I would opt for synthetic in any situation if I can. Synthetic is by far a superior lubricant in every application I've heard of.
Sarge
Sarge
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This was explained to me once, long ago by a chemist. I hope I don't butcher his explanation too badly.
Synthetic oils are "designed and formulated" in a lab. Since they are designed to specific formulations the molecules can be manipulated anyway the designer sees fit for a particular application.
Typically synthetic molecules are all a uniform size. Think of a quart of synthetic oil as a jar of very tiny ball bearings, and all those ball bearings are exactly the same size. Then think of a quart of Dino oil as a jar of varying sizes of ball bearings, with very few if any the same size.
There are specific tolerances between moving parts in machinery. The synthetic oil more easily and uniformly lubricates due to its same size smaller molecules vs the varying sizes of the molecules in Dino oil.
That in a nutshell is what I got out our conversation. I hope this helps.
Jeff
Synthetic oils are "designed and formulated" in a lab. Since they are designed to specific formulations the molecules can be manipulated anyway the designer sees fit for a particular application.
Typically synthetic molecules are all a uniform size. Think of a quart of synthetic oil as a jar of very tiny ball bearings, and all those ball bearings are exactly the same size. Then think of a quart of Dino oil as a jar of varying sizes of ball bearings, with very few if any the same size.
There are specific tolerances between moving parts in machinery. The synthetic oil more easily and uniformly lubricates due to its same size smaller molecules vs the varying sizes of the molecules in Dino oil.
That in a nutshell is what I got out our conversation. I hope this helps.
Jeff
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Originally Posted by GONE4X4
i dunno why i wouldn't go with what's recommended,unless i wasn't concerned about the well being of my rear diff clutch pac's
It's a bit funny..not Ha Ha funny but strange funny
that Ford recommends changing the diff oil if you submerge the rear end in water or mud despite having the breather well above the axle. So everytime you dip the diff on launching a boat or using your 4x4 like, well, a 4x4, it cost $100 (synth oil and gasket) and your time to swap out the oil.If I believe Mr. Ford, I'd like to change to Dinosaur oil simply because I dip my diff regularly and don't mind spending $25 instead of $100 on an oil swap.
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If you have the 4x4 factory supplement, it says that the only time the fluid is supposed to be changed is if the differential has been submerged in water. Then, in another part, you may find a section that says to change it at 150k. It confused the hell out of me. I have decided, that since I have a lift on the truck, I will change it out at 125k, with Amsoil. I have already done the tranny, so by the time 125k comes around, I can do both.
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Originally Posted by GeoQwest
It's a bit funny..that Ford recommends changing the diff oil if you submerge the rear end in water or mud despite having the breather well above the axle.
RoyC
