Differential lube.

Edster

Founding Member
Aug 13, 2000
500
1
19
League City, Texas
According to the Ford factory manual limited slip diffs require a specific type of lube. I did the test where you take alcohol and mix it w/ the gear oil from the diff. If it has a blue tint then its the proper oil. if it is gold or brown tint (which is what I have) then it is the wrong lubricant. Can anyone tell me what is the right stuff to use? It doesn't have to be the Ford stuff either.
 
Is the rear differential chattering around corners or dragging a tire in tight corners? If not, why bother? Some people purposely don't use the friction modifier so that the clutches will grip better. Without friction modifier the trac-loc will act as though it is shimmed tighter - it will be less likely to spin only one wheel.

If you didn't know what was in the rear diff I would recommend changing all the fluid. It should be changed every so often as part of regular maintenance. You can buy fluid with the friction modifier additive already in it. Then you don't have to worry about mixing. However, it's possible the previous owner put lube without friction modifier in because the trac-loc clutches were getting worn and slipping. Without the friction modifier the trac-loc clutches will grab a little better.

If you really want to add the friction modifier, put the entire bottle in. That is what you are supposed to do. Don't be surprised if your trac-loc doesn't function quite as well (you might end up with one wheel peel).
 
Added the lube and it seems to be working. The chattering sound is gone. At first I thought it was the rear drums becoming over adjusted. I would hear it at low speeds when turning or backing up. And I laid a decent set of marks in front of my neighbors house (only because he asked me to ;) )