ATF fluid in Rear Axle

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ATF fluid in Rear Axle

Home > Discussion Forum > Mechanic's Corner - Transmissions

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All Messages in Thread	Author	Date
ATF fluid in Rear Axle	BCGray	9-8-06
No I did not fall of the Apple Cart, just remember something a old Master Mechanic once told me, that he always took out the Old 80W-90 oil in his Differental and put in ATF fluid, claim it had better shear characteristics than 80W and was more viscose, and gave better gas mileage, less heat. Okay, I am ready for the ribbing
Re: ATF fluid in Rear Axle	rich	9-10-06
If you're not running fast you can run on a dry rear and not hurt it. Heat build up is the problem with all lube breaking down and things expanding from that heat is the cause of seizing. As ATF is basicly 10W oil with additives I'd say it would work OK at slow speeds and in very cold conditions, but I wouldn't trust 10W at highway speeds on a summer day. Try opening a rear after it's been run at speed for a couple hours and you'll see that your 80W will run about as thin as ATF will when it's cold. Rich
Re: ATF fluid in Rear Axle	BCGray	9-11-06
"As ATF is basicly 10W oil with additives I'd say it would work OK at slow speeds and in very cold conditions, but I wouldn't trust 10W at highway speeds on a summer day. Try opening a rear after it's been run at speed for a couple hours and you'll see that your 80W will run about as thin as ATF will when it's" Quote Rich Good point Rich however it could be argued that the heat build-up in a rear axle is primarily due to fling around the heavy oil, for any resistance to movement results in heat. I know that the big Catepillar Crawler tractors switched from 80W oil to ATF in there final drives because of the HP loss caused by the heavy oil, they were the ones that claimed the shear characteristics were the same. The reason I am asking is I would like to put ATF in my Allegro P-30 chassis's rear axle, theory is to save money on gas (454 sucks it like it grows on trees) Thinking of ATF sythetic. Any and all thoughts are appreciated
Re: ATF fluid in Rear Axle	rich	9-12-06
Heat buildup is friction, the higher the revs the higher the heat. The Cats final drive isn't turning at anything close to hiway revs. and 10W doesn't lube at temps that 80W will handle. I know you want to save fuel, but how much does replacing your rear cost if this doen't pan out? rich
Re: ATF fluid in Rear Axle	BCGray	9-13-06
I agree with you totally rich, got a chuckle out of your line "but how much does replacing your rear cost if this doen't pan out?" Don't think its my rear that I am worried about although the hemmoroids are hell LOL :) The old mechanic claimed it worked, as he put it in all his differentials, and am really curious to know if anybody else has and the results they got. If it works and I only have one persons opinion, the savings in flinging the heavy oil versus the light would be great. Thanks rich really do appreciate the time and the posts