Tag Archive for: differential oil

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Will A Gear Oil Change Cure Limited-Slip Differential Noise? 

AMSOIL Severe Gear 75W-140 Synthetic Gear OilA reader asks: I’ve got a 2013 Ford F-150 with 86,000 miles. The rear differential has developed a chattering noise when taking slow corners. I have never changed the gear oil. This is a limited slip differential. Would changing the gear oil cure this noise?

Our answer: While we can’t say for sure, it is possible that a gear oil change and fresh limited slip additive could cure this chatter noise. We have heard of situations where this has worked. The simplest possible option is to try changing gear oil and limited-slip additive first.

Of course, this is assuming that there is not a mechanical issue at play. Worn clutches and springs can also lead to limited-slip differential performance problems. In that case, new oil would not cure the issue.

What seems to happen in some cases is that the original gear oil and limited-slip friction modifier additive break down over time. This can allow the clutch packs to chatter during low-speed corners.

Our Best Gear Oil And Limited Slip Additive

We strongly recommend AMSOIL Severe Gear 75W-140 Synthetic Gear Oil and AMSOIL Slip Lock Differential Additive. AMSOIL Severe Gear is about the most robust gear oil money can buy. It offers superb wear control, long life and friction reduction. It performs very well in arctic cold or extreme southern heat.

AMSOIL Slip Lock is a high-quality replacement for OEM limited-slip additives. It provides reliable, quiet performance at a very reasonable price.

Once the oil is changed, take the truck to an open parking lot. Slowly drive the truck in a figure-8 pattern to burnish the Slip Lock additive into the limited-slip clutch packs. You will soon see if this oil change has cured your issue.

Helpful Installation Tips

Installing gear oil in a differential can be an awkward and messy process. We have a couple of solutions that can make life much easier. The first is AMSOIL’s ingenious “Easy-Pack” container option. The “drink-box-inspired” Easy-Pack allows you to squeeze the oil directly into the differential, regardless of how cramped the location.

The other helpful solution is the AMSOIL Hand-Pump For Bottles. This kit allows you to pump oil out of quart, gallon or 2.5-gallon bottles. This inexpensive kit will come in very handy in your garage.

We certainly hope that your differential issue is not something more serious. A differential oil change is an inexpensive solution that could very well do the trick. At this point in your vehicle’s life, it’s definitely time to change the factory differential oil anyway.

We can sell AMSOIL Synthetic Gear Oils at wholesale prices in Canada and the US. Contact us using the form on this page for a wholesale price list. 

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How Often To Change Differential Oil In Rarely Driven Car?

A reader asks: I have a 2006 Honda S2000 that is driven just 1000 miles per year. The few miles that it does see are very easy miles. I last changed the rear differential gear oil about 4 years and 5000 miles ago. The car is stored in a warm garage and the diff has never been exposed to moisture. The gear oil used was AMSOIL Severe Gear 75W-90. How often should I change this gear oil when the car sees so few miles?

Our answer: Many car enthusiasts own have vehicles that they affectionately refer to as a “garage queen”. While these cars may see very few miles, maintenance still has to be a consideration.

When it comes to gear oil service intervals in sparsely driven cars, there isn’t much consensus. As differential oil that isn’t exposed to moisture, extreme heat or heavy loads has a very easy life.

That being said, everything oxidizes over time and eventually the additive package of the gear oil will undergo “fallout”. A very conservative service interval would be every 5 to 7 years. We are confident that a robust product like Severe Gear would last much longer. But this is likely a good window to freshen up the gear oil. This will keep corrosion at bay, wear control at its best and seals supple.

Other Stored Car Maintenance Notes

Regular maintenance is still required for cars that are rarely driven. Here are some notes on the subject.

  • Fuel degradation is a massive concern and should be considered at all times. Make sure to add gasoline stabilizer when filling the tank. Degraded fuel can foul carburetors or injectors and fuel lines. Bad gasoline can also cause depositing and significant engine performance issues.
  • Still on fuel issues, it’s a good idea to add carburetor or injector cleaner to the gas tank at least once per year.
  • Change the engine oil at least once per year. This is the case regardless of how few miles the car travels over a year. Combustion by-products allow for acid formation in the oil over time. Older vehicles also have a higher tendency toward fuel dilution in the oil. Changing the motor oil just before long-term storage is the best course of action.
  • Brake fluid tends to draw moisture out of the air, even though it is a sealed system. Brake fluid should be changed slightly more often than rear differential gear oil (every 4-5 years or so). Fresh brake fluid prevents the creation of rust and corrosion in the braking system.
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