[DeTomaso] ZF gear oil

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 4/11/14 12 32 13, cwhamm at frontier.com writes:


> Also what is the best gear oil for
> my ZF transaxle?
> 

>>>This is a very important question.   I think there is a tendancy among 
many people to just grab any old gear oil and throw it in there, but the 
nature of a transaxle demands that one pays very close attention to the 
manufacturer's recommendations.   All gear oils are NOT created equal!

In this case, the first thing to do is RTFM.

The manual specifically calls for SAE 80, AP GL5 

(SAE 90 in Europe).

7 1/2 pints of the stuff.

While it is very easy to find SAE 80-90 gear oil, it is surprisingly 
difficult to find *GL5* gear oil, and that's the important part.   GL5 oil has 
specific characteristics designed to work with the types of synchros that our 
gearboxes have, which are different from most other gearboxes, and definitely 
different from a typical differential/rear axle.

If you go to most auto parts stores, there will be lots of gear oil on the 
shelf but none of it will be GL5.   The only place I have reliably found GL5 
is NAPA auto parts; it is made by Sta-Lube/CRC.

Here is the exact link to what you should buy:

http://www.crcindustries.com/ei/product_detail.aspx?id=SL2473

It is normally sold in pints or gallons; since you need 7.5 pints and there 
are 8 pints in a gallon, obviously it is to your advantage to buy a gallon 
jug.   My local NAPA store used to carry them, but I just had to order a jug 
a couple of weeks ago as they only have pints now.

While you're at it,   you might as well buy a gear oil pump, also by 
Sta-Lube:

http://www.crcindustries.com/ei/product_detail.aspx?id=SL4344

Harbor Freight has a better picture of it:

http://www.harborfreight.com/sta-lube-gear-fluid-oil-pump-40714.html

Using this pump has transformed my life.   Normally filling a ZF gearbox is 
a painful experience involving a lot of spilled gear oil and profanity.   
This turns it into a breeze.   Just put the end of the hose in the side of 
the gearbox (where it's cleverly retained), and start pumping until you feel 
silly.   When oil starts drooling out the side, you're done.   Let it sit for 
a few minutes, give a few more pumps just to be sure, then you're really 
done.

Mike (going to change my gearbox oil tomorrow as a matter of fact....)
-------------- next part --------------
   In a message dated 4/11/14 12 32 13, cwhamm at frontier.com writes:

     Also what is the best gear oil for
     my ZF transaxle?

   >>>This is a very important question.  I think there is a tendancy
   among many people to just grab any old gear oil and throw it in there,
   but the nature of a transaxle demands that one pays very close
   attention to the manufacturer's recommendations.  All gear oils are NOT
   created equal!
   In this case, the first thing to do is RTFM.
   The manual specifically calls for SAE 80, AP GL5
   (SAE 90 in Europe).
   7 1/2 pints of the stuff.
   While it is very easy to find SAE 80-90 gear oil, it is surprisingly
   difficult to find *GL5* gear oil, and that's the important part.  GL5
   oil has specific characteristics designed to work with the types of
   synchros that our gearboxes have, which are different from most other
   gearboxes, and definitely different from a typical differential/rear
   axle.
   If you go to most auto parts stores, there will be lots of gear oil on
   the shelf but none of it will be GL5.  The only place I have reliably
   found GL5 is NAPA auto parts; it is made by Sta-Lube/CRC.
   Here is the exact link to what you should buy:
   http://www.crcindustries.com/ei/product_detail.aspx?id=SL2473
   It is normally sold in pints or gallons; since you need 7.5 pints and
   there are 8 pints in a gallon, obviously it is to your advantage to buy
   a gallon jug.  My local NAPA store used to carry them, but I just had
   to order a jug a couple of weeks ago as they only have pints now.
   While you're at it,  you might as well buy a gear oil pump, also by
   Sta-Lube:
   http://www.crcindustries.com/ei/product_detail.aspx?id=SL4344
   Harbor Freight has a better picture of it:
   http://www.harborfreight.com/sta-lube-gear-fluid-oil-pump-40714.html
   Using this pump has transformed my life.  Normally filling a ZF gearbox
   is a painful experience involving a lot of spilled gear oil and
   profanity.  This turns it into a breeze.  Just put the end of the hose
   in the side of the gearbox (where it's cleverly retained), and start
   pumping until you feel silly.  When oil starts drooling out the side,
   you're done.  Let it sit for a few minutes, give a few more pumps just
   to be sure, then you're really done.
   Mike (going to change my gearbox oil tomorrow as a matter of fact....)