Differential Fluid advice

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

mavtricks71

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2016
Posts
222
Reaction score
60
Location
az
First Name
mike
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
k10
Engine Size
350
My 86 k10 has Dana 44 front axle....can you guys tell me what fluid it needs and does it need additives ect?
 

hatzie

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2011
Posts
566
Reaction score
452
Location
NH
First Name
David
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
k20
Engine Size
6.5
No additives in front or rear axles. Not needed up front and open rears. Limited slip additive is bad for the optional Eaton G80 lockers in the rears. Just steer clear of Limited slip additive.
GL-5 80W90 Synthetic gear oil is what I use.
 

Honky Kong jr

Super Sarcastic Man
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Posts
14,968
Reaction score
9,789
Location
Denver,PA
First Name
J-me
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
V10
Engine Size
Lil BB 407
No additives in front or rear axles. Not needed up front and open rears. Limited slip additive is bad for the optional Eaton G80 lockers in the rears. Just steer clear of Limited slip additive.
GL-5 80W90 Synthetic gear oil is what I use.
No sarcasm, but enlighten me. I have friction modifier in both my rears. I have clutch posts in each of them.
 

Rusty Nail

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2015
Posts
9,786
Reaction score
9,681
Location
the other side of the internet
First Name
Rusty
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
C20
Engine Size
350sbc
I used to always put the extra , additionally purchased "posi additive" in the G80 8.5" 10 bolt behind my SS. I'd dump the little bottle they would sell me at O'Reilly's but i'm not 100% convinced you can still get something like that today because today's GL5 has it already, needed or not.
Idgaf WHAT the manufacturer recommends lol. I think "posi additive" is old-tech. The SS sees only stupid SEVERE service and that made me feel better about PUNISHING it.

Btw, that 10 bolt is still alive today, 130k? miles in.

/shrug
 

hatzie

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2011
Posts
566
Reaction score
452
Location
NH
First Name
David
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
k20
Engine Size
6.5
No sarcasm, but enlighten me. I have friction modifier in both my rears. I have clutch posts in each of them.

The G80 isn't a limited slip diff it's a locker. There is a difference. http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/1101or-locker-vs-limited-slip-differential/
GM didn't put a Limited Slip Diff in the light trucks til at least the 1998 T800 light truck chassis... maybe the 2007 T900 light trucks. That doesn't preclude someone installing an Auburn or Eaton or other limited slip in the last 30-50 years or so but they didn't have one stock.

If you have an Eaton G80 locker or Gov Loc diff lovingly known as a Gov Bomb... Be careful of the gear juice that says "Energy Conserving" on the API seal.

This is the 1991 TSB about Limited Slip Additive and the Eaton G80 lockers.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL LUBRICANT (SERVICE INFORMATION) #91-4-109

SUBJECT: LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL (G80) LUBRICANT - (SERVICE INFORMATION)

VEHICLES AFFECTED: ALL LIGHT TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH G80 REAR AXLE ALL YEARS

Some light duty trucks equipped with locking rear axles (G80) may exhibit rear axle chatter, especially when turning a corner from a stop.
This condition of alternate engagement and disengagement of clutches in differential assembly is usually caused by contaminated axle lubricant.
To correct this condition, drain and refill the rear axle with SAE 80W-90 GL5 (P/N 10950849).

The use of any additive in locking rear axles (G80) is not recommended. Rear axle additives are designed for use in limited slip differentials which are normally installed in cars. All light duty trucks equipped with RPO G80 make use of a locking differential and the use of additives will delay the engagement of the locking mechanism and may decrease axle life.

VEHICLES/COMPONENTS INVOLVED: Light duty trucks equipped with locking rear axles, RPO G80.

SERVICE PARTS INFORMATION:
Part Number Description - 10950849 Lubricant, Rear Axle (1 litre)
Parts are currently available through CANSPO.

WARRANTY INFORMATION:
As specified in Light Duty Truck Maintenance Schedules, locking rear axle fluid drain and refill is required owner maintenance at the first engine oil change. Failure to drain and refill the rear axle as specified may contribute to a later axle chatter condition. Refer to the appropriate Light Duty Truck Maintenance Schedule or service manual, section OB, for further details on change intervals.
General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
© Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

Rusty Nail

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2015
Posts
9,786
Reaction score
9,681
Location
the other side of the internet
First Name
Rusty
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
C20
Engine Size
350sbc
Haha! Thank gawd...

Ahhh the "good old days".
'Indescretions of youth' I call them - but that stuff was all expunged :D
I wouldn't go back for nothin!
 

Honky Kong jr

Super Sarcastic Man
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Posts
14,968
Reaction score
9,789
Location
Denver,PA
First Name
J-me
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
V10
Engine Size
Lil BB 407
The G80 isn't a limited slip diff it's a locker. There is a difference. http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/1101or-locker-vs-limited-slip-differential/
GM didn't put a Limited Slip Diff in the light trucks til at least the 1998 T800 light truck chassis... maybe the 2007 T900 light trucks. That doesn't preclude someone installing an Auburn or Eaton or other limited slip in the last 30-50 years or so but they didn't have one stock.

If you have an Eaton G80 locker or Gov Loc diff lovingly known as a Gov Bomb... Be careful of the gear juice that says "Energy Conserving" on the API seal.

This is the 1991 TSB about Limited Slip Additive and the Eaton G80 lockers.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL LUBRICANT (SERVICE INFORMATION) #91-4-109

SUBJECT: LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL (G80) LUBRICANT - (SERVICE INFORMATION)

VEHICLES AFFECTED: ALL LIGHT TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH G80 REAR AXLE ALL YEARS

Some light duty trucks equipped with locking rear axles (G80) may exhibit rear axle chatter, especially when turning a corner from a stop.
This condition of alternate engagement and disengagement of clutches in differential assembly is usually caused by contaminated axle lubricant.
To correct this condition, drain and refill the rear axle with SAE 80W-90 GL5 (P/N 10950849).

The use of any additive in locking rear axles (G80) is not recommended. Rear axle additives are designed for use in limited slip differentials which are normally installed in cars. All light duty trucks equipped with RPO G80 make use of a locking differential and the use of additives will delay the engagement of the locking mechanism and may decrease axle life.

VEHICLES/COMPONENTS INVOLVED: Light duty trucks equipped with locking rear axles, RPO G80.

SERVICE PARTS INFORMATION:
Part Number Description - 10950849 Lubricant, Rear Axle (1 litre)
Parts are currently available through CANSPO.

WARRANTY INFORMATION:
As specified in Light Duty Truck Maintenance Schedules, locking rear axle fluid drain and refill is required owner maintenance at the first engine oil change. Failure to drain and refill the rear axle as specified may contribute to a later axle chatter condition. Refer to the appropriate Light Duty Truck Maintenance Schedule or service manual, section OB, for further details on change intervals.
General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
© Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The one in my front axle is an Eaton clutch type 30 spline carrier. The one in the 12 bolt I assume is an Eaton as well. Neither are Gov- Bombs
 

hatzie

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2011
Posts
566
Reaction score
452
Location
NH
First Name
David
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
k20
Engine Size
6.5
Not everyone lights up their tires every chance they get, I guess...?

Yup. Not everyone needs a Dana 60 front axle under their truck... we aren't running 76 and later Ford F-series 1/2 & 3/4 ton pickups with that miserable Dana 44 TTB.

I have two eight lug HD Dana 44 axles. One Dana 44 closed knuckle on a 1972 F250 Ranger XLT Camper Special and one RHD HD 8 lug Dana 44 on my 1976 K20 Silverado Camper Special. Supposedly they should both be dead and gone because they are so "weak" :anitoof:

In reality I don't run 44" tires on those axles and don't do 4wd burnouts. I wouldn't run more than maybe 33" tires max. They do just fine with just under 32" 265/75R16 tires and no burnouts.
 
Last edited:

hatzie

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2011
Posts
566
Reaction score
452
Location
NH
First Name
David
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
k20
Engine Size
6.5
The one in my front axle is an Eaton clutch type 30 spline carrier. The one in the 12 bolt I assume is an Eaton as well. Neither are Gov- Bombs

Neither of those are stock diffs either. Good that you know what's in there. After 30-50 years of service to multiple owners the only way to know positively is to pull the cover and look.
If you have a LSD then by all means put in the additive... those are an exception to the norm.

GM didn't put lockers or limited slips in the front axles of the squarebody light duty trucks and they only put the optional G80 Eaton Gov Locks in some rears.
 
Last edited:

Honky Kong jr

Super Sarcastic Man
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Posts
14,968
Reaction score
9,789
Location
Denver,PA
First Name
J-me
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
V10
Engine Size
Lil BB 407
Neither of those are stock diffs either. Good that you know what's in there. After 30-50 years of service to multiple owners the only way to know positively is to pull the cover and look.
If you have a LSD then by all means put in the additive.

GM didn't put lockers or limited slips in the front axles of the squarebody light duty trucks and they only put the optional G80 Eaton Gov Locks in some rears.
Yeah I had the rear axle apart and I put the Eaton up front. This was done to gain traction as well as slow the breakage of parts. I figured the posi will slip before breaking axles. Hopefully a win win situation. We shall see win a couple of weeks.
 

shiftpro

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Posts
4,855
Reaction score
6,086
Location
BC Canada
First Name
shiftpro
Truck Year
73-87
Truck Model
1500, 2500, 3500
Engine Size
350, 383, 454, 496!
Yup. Not everyone needs a Dana 60 front axle under their truck... we aren't running 76 and later Ford F-series 1/2 & 3/4 ton pickups with that miserable Dana 44 TTB.

I have two eight lug HD Dana 44 axles. One Dana 44 closed knuckle on a 1972 F250 Ranger XLT Camper Special and one RHD HD 8 lug Dana 44 on my 1976 K20 Silverado Camper Special. Supposedly they should both be dead and gone because they are so "weak" :anitoof:

In reality I don't run 44" tires on those axles and don't do 4wd burnouts. I wouldn't run more than maybe 33" tires max. They do just fine with just under 32" 265/75R16 tires and no burnouts.


So true...
There is a huge range of use/abuse one can put their trucks through.

And speaking of D60s...
They are NO stronger STOCK than a D44...! That's what I said. Until the stock stub shaft is replaced with a 35 spline (D70), it is in danger of breaking just as much as the D44. I can't figure out why GM/Dana did this... or maybe I can? When you beef the D60 with 70 stub shafts, the next weak link is the
universal off the pinion. Beef that and then the CVA into the TC is the next 'fuse'.

Lots of guys with 40+ tires don't have the torque and gears to spin them anyway. Maybe shouldn't call them 'guys' as much as 'posers'.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
42,116
Posts
909,464
Members
33,611
Latest member
RNFL
Top