I've read a bunch about fluid vs grease and the handling differences, but nothing about reliability differences. Does fluid make the gears wear any better? Are you just putting fluid in the differential? or is it in the diff case where the ring and pinion are? Let me know I'm curious to give it a try.

Thanks,

Kevin

The grease goes on the ring and pinion gears, which are the outer gears. The silicone goes in the diff case itself, submerging the spider and side gears within it. The silicone shouldn't leak out because the diff case is sealed with orings and a gasket.

Has anyone replaced the silicone grease with actual diff fluid in their savages? And if so what is the ideal weight of diff fluid to use?

I have used 50,000 and 35,000 wt. in my diffs. 50,000 is pretty stiff and gives a good positive traction feel, but does decrease turning radius a good bit. I recently switched to 35,000 and find it a good compromise.

I find that diff fluid does leak out of teh plastic diff cups. I guess the torque of the engine multiplied with teh gear ratios, can cause enough distortion to warp the diff cup walls to allow diff fluid to seep past the gaskets.

Ever since I switched to alum diff cups, I never found diff fluid intermixed with the greasse ever again. If you can get the alum diff cups, I highly recommend them.

I had 30k/10k and now have 50k/30k. I definitely noticed less steering response with the 50k, but wheelies were much more controllable with the 30k in the rear.

I'm soon going to try diff. lock/50k. Traction will be great, but I'm curious how steering will be effected.

It will defintely be affected, I dont even know if there is enough Ackerman you can put into to it to compensate.

But for sure, given a powerful enough engine and gearing, this would make a straight line drag beast

Silicone diff fluid that you get at the hobby store is the ONLY thing I would use. I use 50,000 front and rear. Its MUCH thicker then truck diff fluid. It has the consistancy of bee honey. I have never had any leakage with plastic or alloy diff cups. I have opened my front and rear diffs probably 4 or 5 times and as long as the gasket is not torn it has never leaked. But to be on the safe side I would order a few gaskets incase they rip when opening the diff up.

Not me. I'm running spools instead. [8D]

Front and rear? Is it only a straight line truck? hehehe