[DeTomaso] ZF gear oil

[Mike Thomas]

If you don't have a gear oil pump, I have a flexible neck funnel that has
worked just as well with minimal "droolage".  The one thing Mike didn't
mention in his post is that the goal is to fill the ZF to the point where
oil starts to dribble out of the fill hole on the side.  You will also need
the ZF drain plug socket if you don't already have one.  Most of the vendors
carry them.
Mike Thomas
VP, POCA
VP, Panteras Northwest
Yellow '74 #6328



-----Original Message-----
From: DeTomaso [mailto:detomaso-bounces at poca.com] On Behalf Of
MikeLDrew at aol.com
Sent: Friday, April 11, 2014 8:41 PM
To: cwhamm at frontier.com; detomaso at poca.com
Subject: [DeTomaso] ZF gear oil


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....)