GL4 or GL5 front axle lube

[super55]

GL 4 or 5 will work fine. Tractor front axles don't move at a fast enough RPM to cause concern.

This is just my opinion but for the front axle viscosity is your friend and you want a little residual "stickiness" of the gear lube.

Example.. Anybody who has ever ran a compact with a moldboard plow for deep tillage knows that front axle is at a significant angle. This is likely causing the fluid to shift to one side of the axle. That means the high side axle gear can be running dry or with minimal lubrication. Using a lube with a little bit of tackiness will definitely help the gears mesh in a situation like this.

 

[John0829]

This is just my opinion so take it for what it is worth but I consider the GL5 and yellow metals thing to be an old wives tale. The yellow/softer metals are in there specifically to wear so the expensive parts parts don't. Seeing a bit of "glitter" draining the oil just means the softer metal is doing what it is designed to do.

Take a bit of brass or bronze and put it in a jar of GL5 and leave it, in as many years as you want go back and observe it, there will be no sediment or indication the soft metal has been "dissolved".

One example from personal experience, the old 8N Fords it has been argued for years that they MUST use GL1 to protect the metals in the pump. I have used GL5 as the one and only "gear oil" for years and never had an issue (or glitter) with any of them.

 

[tomplum]

Beats me. I just use GL4 if it's called for. No one on here is gonna pay the bill for you if it doesn't work out.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Beats me. I just use GL4 if it's called for. No one on here is gonna pay the bill for you if it doesn't work out.

The manual doesn’t specify

 

[Robin Veerman]

That would be a great question to ask your dealer. Follow their advice…and then share it with us

 

[ptsg]

I happen to use Petronas lubricants. I just go to their website, use their tool and it gives me the intervals, quantities and what lubricant to use. For the front axle, they just recommend a 80W90 GL5 fluid.

As I recall it from going over the service manuals, there is no yellow metals on the front axle either.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I happen to use Petronas lubricants. I just go to their website, use their tool and it gives me the intervals, quantities and what lubricant to use. For the front axle, they just recommend a 80W90 GL5 fluid.

As I recall it from going over the service manuals, there is no yellow metals on the front axle either.

And you have a Branson, so this is valuable!

 

[MTGreen]

This is just my opinion so take it for what it is worth but I consider the GL5 and yellow metals thing to be an old wives tale. The yellow/softer metals are in there specifically to wear so the expensive parts parts don't. Seeing a bit of "glitter" draining the oil just means the softer metal is doing what it is designed to do.

Take a bit of brass or bronze and put it in a jar of GL5 and leave it, in as many years as you want go back and observe it, there will be no sediment or indication the soft metal has been "dissolved".

One example from personal experience, the old 8N Fords it has been argued for years that they MUST use GL1 to protect the metals in the pump. I have used GL5 as the one and only "gear oil" for years and never had an issue (or glitter) with any of them.

I had a Toyota 4Runner with a 5spd manual transmission at one point.
Did a drain/refill and used GL5 thinking newer=better. Immediately became harder/rougher to shift through the gears. Researched and read it must use GL4 or you get this very problem. Did another drain/refill with the GL4 and it was back to smooth shifting.

Not sure what the mechanism is as to why the GL5 creates a problem in these; but the synchros are made of brass/bronze type alloy and it would follow that given the symptoms were with smooth shifting it has something to do with the synchros

 

[Hughman]

A bit off topic... One of my jeeps uses GL6 in it's rear axle (high pinion 9"). Try finding that stuff on a shelf at an auto parts store.

 

[ericm979]

I had a Toyota 4Runner with a 5spd manual transmission at one point.
Did a drain/refill and used GL5 thinking newer=better. Immediately became harder/rougher to shift through the gears. Researched and read it must use GL4 or you get this very problem. Did another drain/refill with the GL4 and it was back to smooth shifting.

Not sure what the mechanism is as to why the GL5 creates a problem in these; but the synchros are made of brass/bronze type alloy and it would follow that given the symptoms were with smooth shifting it has something to do with the synchros

Sometimes oil that's too slippery will not work right with the synchros. It can be a problem with wet clutches as well.

I've had some manual transmission cars that were really particular about the gearbox oil.