ARB Locker Gear Oil Recommendation

[Run 4 Fun]

Curious what kind of oil others are using in their diffs with an ARB. ARB's website states "Any conventional or synthetic gear oil that is appropriate for your location and driving style. Stay away from anything that says “For Limit-Slip Diffs” or “Friction Modifiers”". (https://arbusa.wordpress.com/frequently-asked-questions/air-locker/)

Can't find many options that don't have limited slip additives. I came across Eneos GL-5 75w-90 transmission/gear oil on Amazon that does not have any additives for limited slips. Purchased a few quarts and waiting for the weather to clear up so I can drain and fill the rear diff. Anyone try this stuff? What are you using with your ARB?

 

[csp]

Standard dinosaur gear oil in mine. I couldn't tell you the brand. Have run them since '97 this way.

Not sure where you're having trouble with gear oils that don't have limited slip additives. Most gear oils don't come with the additive. There are some synthetics that don't require an additive, but that doesn't mean they have it in them.

There's nothing special about an ARB that gear oil matters. It's the gears and bearings that need the oil, not the locker. As long as it's a GL5 rated gear oil and of the viscosity desired it will do the job.

 

[Run 4 Fun]

Standard dinosaur gear oil in mine. I couldn't tell you the brand. Have run them since '97 this way.

Not sure where you're having trouble with gear oils that don't have limited slip additives. Most gear oils don't come with the additive. There are some synthetics that don't require an additive, but that doesn't mean they have it in them.

There's nothing special about an ARB that gear oil matters. It's the gears and bearings that need the oil, not the locker. As long as it's a GL5 rated gear oil and of the viscosity desired it will do the job.

Hmm interesting. On a couple other forums and I believe ARB said something about the additives affecting the o-rings in the locker. When I went to the parts store(Auto Zone), every single gear oil had additives for limited slip, including M1 Synthetic, Valvoline. I was surprised to see that a lot of oils on Amazon were the same situation. In my search it was hard to fine an oil that didn't have additives for Limited slip. Most either had it marked LS or in the fine print. I'm sure its really not that big of a deal. Was more curious if people with ARB's were using oil with or without additives in it. Thanks for the input.

Just to clarify, Eneos specifically says do not use with limited slip diffs as there is no additives. Was the only one out of a few that stated this.

 

[IBallEngineer]

Hmm interesting. On a couple other forums and I believe ARB said something about the additives affecting the o-rings in the locker. When I went to the parts store(Auto Zone), every single gear oil had additives for limited slip, including M1 Synthetic, Valvoline. I was surprised to see that a lot of oils on Amazon were the same situation. In my search it was hard to fine an oil that didn't have additives for Limited slip. Most either had it marked LS or in the fine print. I'm sure its really not that big of a deal. Was more curious if people with ARB's were using oil with or without additives in it. Thanks for the input.

Just to clarify, Eneos specifically says do not use with limited slip diffs as there is no additives. Was the only one out of a few that stated this.

19 years using Valvoline Gear Oil with no O ring trouble in my ARB's. Broke a spider gear once though. Can't buy in to all the hype too much.

layball:

 

[Run 4 Fun]

19 years using Valvoline Gear Oil with no O ring trouble in my ARB's. Broke a spider gear once though. Can't buy in to all the hype too much.

layball:

Right on, I'll probably go this route after I use up this oil I bought.

 

[K-Tanz]

I had my air locker built by Zuk and he recommended 85w140. Granted he is not ARB but the dude has built hundreds of differentials and after watching the guy wrench I would let him watch my children . The Valvoline is available at O'Reilly.

Toyota Gear Installs

 

[csp]

Good timing K-Tanz. I was just trying to remember what Zuk's website url was this morning.

 

[Dous]

We use Lucas non-synthetic 85-140 for all installs in shop, and recommend customers do the same.

 

[MandAtaco]

Always ran Mobil1 75w-90 in my diffs with no issues.