Transmission and Front Axle Lube

[studor]

After going to about four places and calling an additional four I am having great difficulty finding GL4 gear lube for my 284. So back to the web to find out who really make the stuff and after way to much research I think what I really should be looking for is a GL5/MT1 gear lube. I had thought the MT1 was an old standard but apparently it is not. Part of the reason for the new MT1 standard was to make it safe for manual trannies with brass and bronze syncros so apparently the MT1 designation means it is even safer for yellow metals than GL4.
I don't mean to start a long debate but can any body tell me if I am smoking something (or should be) if I use GL5/MT1 in the tranny and front axle?

[ewal]

Studor, After agonizing over the same issue I read enough to decide that what you decided was the correct answer. The GL5/MT1 is safe for these tractors and my IHT284 has been serviced using it.
I note that in the pinion bearing thread there does not appear to be a lot off bronze or brass material in the gear trains of at least the 300 series tactors.
Elton

[GuglioLS]

Studor,

Based on my direct observations and studying the 354 parts book, There are no "yellow" metals in these transmissions or rear-ends, so it's not a problem to use GL5. Please see Sokkerbob's "Replacing Pinion Bearing Jinma 354" thread. Reply # 35 where I ask the question about yellow metals, and then his reply # 38 where he answers.

Bob has completely disassembled his 354 transmission and rear-end, he stated he did not find any trace of yellow metals, but was going to re-check it to make sure. The 284 may be different? but I seriously doubt it.

I too was once worried about yellow metals, but that turns out to be a myth. So I use GL-5:




NAPA carries Sta-Lube GL-4, it's rated safe for yellow metals, I use it for the rear end of my shaft driven Suzuki Intruder 800 Motor Cycle which does have bronze bushings in it.




Whatever gear lube you decide to use, I'm sure it will be just fine.

Larry

[studor]

Thanks guys - Today I did find a bunch of GL 5 that is rated "safe for any copper based components" (ESSO, Mobil and Napa)and is also MT-1 rated. Apparently this is a really big issue if you have an old vette or VW manual tranny with syncro mesh because the consistency may make your syncro feel like gravel or some such thing (and GL5 without the MT1 rating will eat the synchro1). Most of synthetics seem to be ok but at $200+ for twenty litres versus 80 or so for the others my frugallness gets the better of me