Diff oil options, make it quiet

westwind999 · Jun 30, 2007

Hi

I have a 99 Subaru Forester with an Auto Trans ~200,000km /125,000miles. It has a nasty whine coming from the front diff, kinda like a manual gear box makes in reverse, when under power going forward. It's supposed to take GL-5 80W90. Any thoughts on what I should try to make it quiet down? Perhaps 75W140 would help, or would that ruin it? I live in Central Ontario, I don't mind changing it out for the winter.

bruce381 · Jun 30, 2007

try it get thickest you can find
bruce

TimVipond · Jun 30, 2007

Since your differential specs a 75W90, you could try a 75W110 synthetic (which under the old standards would be considered a "heavy" 75W90)and see what happens. I think a 75W140 would go against the manufacturers recomendations, decrease fuel mileage and not work as well in those Central Ontario winters.

Dowser · Jun 30, 2007

Sounds like it is getting ready to need a rebuild. The three options that come to mind are: (1) thicker fluid (but a problem starting out in the winter); (2) rebuild; (3) pack differential with raw hamburger and sell the car to a used car lot.

bmwtechguy · Jun 30, 2007

I've read somewhere that the Schaeffers gear oils can quiet down a noisy diff due to the moly and climbing ability of their oil. You could contact the original Bob of Bobistheoilguy fame and ask him about this. He would certainly know or the other Schaeffer rep here, Mark. Send them each a PM?

westwind999 · Jun 30, 2007

Thanks for the replies.

I might try some thick lucas gear oil for the summer and see what happens. I'm just trying to delay the rebuild as long as possible.

I've heard of banana's and sawdust before but never hamburger.

Titan · Jun 30, 2007

My 2007 Legacy has a tendency to whine from the front Transaxle at cruising speeds. AmSoil 75-90 Severe Gear knocked it down to almost undetectable. OEM and Specialty Formulations HDS-5 both allowed the whine.

oilcan · Jul 1, 2007

I use Lucas oil treatment in noisy Rear ends and manual trannys. It works great IMO

Pablo · Jul 1, 2007

The old automotive saying: "No noise is a good noise"

I don't usually recommend Amsoil (or any oil) to quiet noises. But I have heard from quite a few Sub customers that Amsoil SVG 75W-90 or Amsoil SVT 75W-110 did the trick.

aquariuscsm · Jul 2, 2007

Can this be used in a manual tranny that requires only a GL4,or is AMS MTG better for my application?

aquariuscsm · Jul 2, 2007

Sorry Pablo,I forgot to mention the post I was responding to. I was wondering which would be better for my manual tranny that requires a GL4 gear oil only........AMS SVG (I saw on the Ams site it mentions GL4),or AMS MTG.

Thanks!

Pablo · Jul 2, 2007

Quote:

Can this be used in a manual tranny that requires only a GL4,or is AMS MTG better for my application?

For a GL-4 transmission, generally Amsoil MTG is much better. No built in LS FM, better shifting.

westwind999 · Jul 4, 2007

Naturally my local parts places Cdn Tire etc that have Lucas and Amsoil don't stock the 75W110 Amsoil or the lucas gear oil. One place also carrys Motul oil but not gear oil. Anybody know an easy way to get it in Canada without shipping it by courier. The shipping is going to be more than the item.

Thanks

TimVipond · Jul 4, 2007

Quote:

Anybody know an easy way to get it in Canada without shipping it by courier. The shipping is going to be more than the item.Thanks

The shipping to Ontario is $7 for two quarts of Amsoil 75W110 which retail at around $12 a quart. You'd have it in a few days.

Diff oil options, make it quiet

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