Trans & Clutch 7 - AWD Fluids

EXPAND THE INFO SECTION. I made a video about changing gear oil in a manual transaxle. People were grateful for it, but the AWD guys wanted a video about how to do the transfer case and rear end service. Rightly so! I just had a great opportunity to do this, so I did it.

There are people on-line who know their stuff, and at least twice as many who don't. Someone who said "I like this gear oil because it works better than anything else I've tried" might not have tried it all, might be talking about a brand new transmission, or one that's on its last legs. It's important to take their situation in context rather than any kind of omnipotent wisdom. There are people who have done research, there are those who have experience, and then there are those who have an opinion. It's important to differentiate whose advice you should be following.

TeamRip Engineering has done more oil research, or at least provided more public lab info than any other source in the DSM community about what a DSM likes. Perhaps others have done that kind of work. Perhaps others have a history of rebuilding gearboxes after the wrong oils were used. I tend to listen to the transmission builders as they tend to give the best advice. Below are the links to a few reputable DSM transmission builders. Following that are some retail and speed shops that have good rapport with the racing community. I've tried to be as comprehensive as possible with my sources.

TeamRip Engineering...
Transfer case gear oils: http://www.teamrip.com/transfer_case_hypoid_gear_oil_recommendation_info.html
Rear end gear oils: http://www.teamrip.com/rear_axle_hypoid_gear_oil_recommendation_info.html
Manual Transaxle gear oils: http://www.teamrip.com/manual_transmission_gear_oil_recommendation_info.html
Oil Viscosity Chart: http://teamrip.com/viscosity_chart.html

Sheptrans...
http://sheptrans.com/faqs/index.htm
... I sure wish they would post more than that publicly.

Jack's Transmissions...
Oil Recommendations: http://www.jackstransmissions.com/pages/oil
EVO Guys... READ THIS: http://www.jackstransmissions.com/pages/t-case-filling

Roadrace Engineering...
Fluids page: http://www.roadraceengineering.com/eclfluids.htm

Where to buy...

I discovered some oils are difficult to find vendors for. I was overjoyed to find I can get any fluid I want from anywhere in the world on Amazon.

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[DtoWnSux1]

130k miles on my 5speed honda element. was adult owned and driven unharsh from what i heard. and how it rides. i am going to drain and fill the trans fluid. it hasnt been done since car was bought. should i be worried about it slipping or messing up tranny after the drain n fill PLZ RESPOND ty

[Jafromobile]

@DtoWnSux1 Only if the previous owner added a friction modifier, or different-than-recommended fluid in order to "fix" a previously-existing problem. ***Make sure you use the correct fluid for that model of transmission.***

The recommended fluids can be found in the owner's manual. The "book in the box". Hopefully that's still there. About half of the used cars you find will still have it in the glovebox.

[DtoWnSux1]

@Jafromobile i dont think they ever touched the tranny fluid at all. would you recommend changing it or leaving it?

[Jafromobile]

@DtoWnSux1 I don't have any experience with the Honda Element to know how it works in comparison to what I know, but I would change it.

Automatics work on a friction-based clutch pack actuated by fluid pressure. Changes in the viscosity and friction of that fluid vs. the clutch packs can affect drivability. As the clutch packs degrade, the fluid becomes more abrasive, so fresh fluid in a worn transmission can make it slip.

No manual transmissions I know of have that problem.

[DtoWnSux1]

@Jafromobile that makes sense, now if the transmission was worn at all, would i be able to notice? all gears pick up fine and pull smoothly it is a little unsmooth shifting from gear to gear like it sometimes is a little iffy to go in reverse smoothly. but seems like it drives and shifts good so, im just wondering . would the transmission being worn at all,be noticable to the drive, or only when it gets to a very worn state.?

[Jafromobile]

@DtoWnSux1 Reverse is hard to shift into because it doesn't have synchros. Hit fifth first and then reverse, it will glide right in. The other gears have synchros. Synchros or not... low gear oil and an improperly adjusted clutch can make it more difficult to shift as well. If the recommended oil makes things worse, then there are friction modifiers and different lubricants that can help, but they won't fix the worn synchros. They just make what's left of them work a little better.

[2rbo9900]

lol the "SQUEEEEEEEZ"!!!!!!

[Jafromobile]

@Hamtheman88 Zero chatter, perfect actuation, no reverse grind, butter-smooth shifts and I'm very relieved.  I didn't have to do anything to adjust the clutch whatsoever when I was finished, but something tells me everyone's going to want a clutch adjustment video... so maybe I'll screw it up and then shoot another one? :)

[rosysophia]

This is a very informative video. Thanks so much! I really enjoyed it.

[TruShane69]

Your a bad ass mechanic man. Thanks for your videos. Im changing the oil pan gasket on my 95 Eclipse tomorrow and wasnt sure about the cross member bar. Its been awhile since I removed it so thanks for refreshing my memory =). Eclipse's are awesome rides had my current since I was 15 years old and im 28 now. From one Eclipse lover to another much respect man.

[jarevalo101]

Where is ur garage i want u to service my awd 95 eclipse?

[peelout40]

Whoa!! Wish I knew that method @ 4:48 on my 82 corolla rear diff...jeez, I could never get those off easily...I will now use the Jafromobile hammer method :) Thanks for your vids they're awesome.