Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite - View Single Post - SuperTech 85-140W GL-5

EZFEED · 04-18-2009, 21:18

Hey guys, what are your opinions of the WalMart SuperTech 85-140W gear oil? It's says its good for applications where a GL-5 specified grade is required.

The reason I ask is because I just changed the oil in all three axles on my praga and if the stuff is crap then I'd like to know. The manual calls for Shell 90W in all three, I dont have any 90W at the house but I do have a crapload of this brand 85-140W that I use in my Farmall tractors. Since I live out in the sticks I figured I'd change the fluid with this. I figure the axles and bearings have seen some wear and maybe could probably use a little thicker oil. They have to pull the 11.5 tons of vehicle weight plus whatever cargo I may be hauling so wouldn't this be a good thing? I would think so "IF" the oil is a decent oil. I threw about a pint of Molybendum in each housing as well to maybe help out.

Have you guys had any issues with this stuff?
Is this brand crap or is it pretty decent?
Would it have been better to go back with a straight 90W or would you say the 85-140W is a better choice?

Also an oiling question and I know some other axles call for similar funny procedures.

I"m supposed to fill my axles to a certain point BELOW the filler plug........what gives?????

These diffeential housings are about 25" in diameter and the amount they call for in the housings just dont seem like enough. I'd end up only having 3/4 a gallon in each and that just doesn't seem like much given how big they are. Attached are some scans of the front axle, I marked lines on the scans to show the levels.

Line #1 is where I filled it today. This is up to the filler plug, it just seemed right......
Line #2 is where the factory tells you it should be. This doesn't make any sense given that there is plenty of space open for expansion.

Also there is a bushing/bearing on the outside of the front axle that I'm sure needs some juice to hit it from the backside. The rears have a roller bearing and seal in the same location so the oil wont leak into the final drives. These bushings on the front are onlu lubed by the oil that is splashed around by the CV joint. There is a little wall on the backside that retains this oil.

If I fill the housing up to the plug it will only bring it level with the axle tubes. If I fill to factory specs it only takes 3/4 a gallon and that just doesn't seem like enought to lube the lockers and ring and pinion set????