greig

I just got the alloy cases what oil can I use ? does it have to be RC oil or can you use anything, what weight?

jefx

For one, the oil goes in the differential itself, not inside the diff case.

And yes, you can use any r/c diff oil. You really could use any oil you want, but the diff oil is super thick and heavy, sort of like wet shoe goo. Normal oils you find at the auto parts store will have no effect on performance because they are too thin.

Diff oils range from 1,000 weight to 300,000 weight. Most bashers will use over 50,000 and most racers will use under 50,000.

greig

jefx what do you mean they will have no effect on performance?

Jerry Williams

If I am right , it means sort of like the when the power unloads... I am sure the heavier oil takes longer to unload?[&:]

jefx

The whole point of diff oil is to slow down the rate at which one wheel (the one with the least traction) recieves all the power from the differential. The diffs come from the factory with grease in them (just for lubrication).

Using standard oils such as Penzoil 10W30 will not at all slow the diff down. Standard oils are just too thin to add any performance changes. The diff oils we use in the R/C hobby are very thick and heavy, sort of like honey. They are specifically designed to slow down the differential action, so that both wheels get positive traction.

Jerry Williams

Wait Wait Wait You are saying we can use CAR ENGINE oil ? What the heck!

Bungleaio

You can use any oil or grease, or you can run them completly dry (but don't expect the gears to last very long inside). Losi recomends 50k in the front and 25K for the rear. I went for associated 60k and 30k as i'd allready got some of that.

there is more information in [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/Diff_setup/m_2440373/tm.htm]this thread[/link]

jefx

You can use whatever you want, but only the heavy silicone oils will actually improve performance.