3130 front axle oil question??

[billj74]

Ijust did my 50 hour service and used Super Udt in the tranny. The manual says use the Super or 80-90 gear oil in the front axle. How important is it to use the Super here. Will I lose any steering performance by putting in gear oil. Does anyone know what oil comes in the axle from the factory? Any help or suggestions will be great, thanks.

 

[_RaT_]

Simple answer is, it does not matter. UDT, Super UDT or gear oil. All are allowed as the manual illustrates. The advantage of using hydraulic oil is it drains much easier. I use hydraulic fluid. The basic need is simply to lubricate. Some folks argue the gear oil provides "shock" cushion. I doubt that shock plays very little part in the front axle differential where the rotational speed is very low. If you have extra Super UDT, use it, if you have extra UDT use it. The benefit of cold flowing abilities of Super UDT in the front axle will have little benefit.

 

[SkyPup]

We have almost 800 heavy duty operational hours on our L-3130 with Super UDT gear oil in the front axle, no problems.

 

[billj74]

Thanks for the advice! I have 1 gallon of the Super left. Book says 6.9 qts. Guess Im on my way to get another gallon.