[DeTomaso] ZF Gear Lube Question

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 5/28/10 18 45 54, JDeRyke at aol.com writes:


> As to the type, remember the ZF transaxle as a complex and expensive car
> part PREDATES the 'GL' lubrication rating system. 
> 
>>>Not in our cars, it doesn't--check the manual.


> >Not sure what GL rating
> parameters are and I suspect no one else on this list has found out, 
> either. All
> the ZF factory manual says is to only use 'mild' EP (extreme pressure) 
> gear
> oil, 80W conforming to spec- Mil-L-2105 (A). 
> 
> >>>The standard owner's manual is mostly a Gee-Whiz thing, but it does have 
some valuable information hidden inside it, if one takes the time to look 
for it.   Specifically germane to this discussion, they give very specific 
recommendations as to quantity and type of gearbox oil to be used.

The blue-covered manual lists the capacity as 7 1/2 U.S. pints, and gives 
the oil type as "SAE 90 - E.P."   The red-covered manual goes into a bit more 
detail; it calls for   SAE 80 AP GL-5 for the USA, and Agip F.1 Rotra MP 
SAE 90 for Europe.   (I can't help but wonder if the "SAE 80" thing is a typo, 
and they really mean SAE 90--probably SAE 80-90 would be the best bet).

It's easy to find suitable gearbox oils in the USA.   For example, here's 
what Valvoline has on offer:

HP Gear Oil GL-5
     •     Applicable where an API GL-5 gear oil is specified
     •     Available in SAE 90, 80W-90 and 85W-140 and viscosity grades
     •     GL-5 90: MB 235.0, MAN 342-N and ZF 05A/07A/16B/17B approved

Every other gear oil maker (Castrol/Pennzoil/Mobil 1/Amsoil/Brad 
Penn/etc./etc./and so forth) offer similar oils with similar characteristics; some are 
mineral-based while others are either a mineral/synthetic blend, or pure 
synthetic.

Once the basic parameters have been established (you want GL-5, and either 
straight 90-weight, or somethingW-90-weight), it's probably far more 
important to maintain the oil by changing it periodically (every 2-3 years) rather 
than concentrating so much on the specific brand.

Mike