Diff fluids Just the basics
#1
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From: Clermont, FL
I found this and thought it would be helpful for some people on changing out the diff fluids and what thick and thin does.
Front
Thinner :
increases steering into corners (off-power)
if oil is too thin the steering may become inconsistent, especially it can lose forward traction (and steering) during acceleration out of corners
Thicker:
increases stability into corners during braking
increases steering on-power at corner exit
.................................................. .......... ........................
Center
Thinner:
front wheels unload more during acceleration
decreases on-power steering (reduces oversteer)
easier to drive on rough tracks
if a high-power engine is used you could waste too much power and sometime “cook” the oil in the center diff erential because it “overloads”
Thicker:
more all-wheel drive effect
better acceleration
increases on-power steering (reduces understeer)
better suited on high-bite, smooth tracks
car can be more nervous to drive especially if a high power engine is used - you might need to be smooth on the throttle
.................................................. .......... .........................
Rear
Thinner:
increases cornering traction
increases steering into corner
Thicker:
decreases rear traction while cornering
reduces wheelspin
Front
Thinner :
increases steering into corners (off-power)
if oil is too thin the steering may become inconsistent, especially it can lose forward traction (and steering) during acceleration out of corners
Thicker:
increases stability into corners during braking
increases steering on-power at corner exit
.................................................. .......... ........................
Center
Thinner:
front wheels unload more during acceleration
decreases on-power steering (reduces oversteer)
easier to drive on rough tracks
if a high-power engine is used you could waste too much power and sometime “cook” the oil in the center diff erential because it “overloads”
Thicker:
more all-wheel drive effect
better acceleration
increases on-power steering (reduces understeer)
better suited on high-bite, smooth tracks
car can be more nervous to drive especially if a high power engine is used - you might need to be smooth on the throttle
.................................................. .......... .........................
Rear
Thinner:
increases cornering traction
increases steering into corner
Thicker:
decreases rear traction while cornering
reduces wheelspin
#7
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From: somewhere,
MN
ok i see the differences. thx very informative, now what would give the best all around for just a new basher? if my diffs have grease in them from factory what would be my best choice?
#13
Ok I'll be the idiot and ask the question....................... how do you change the fluids? and do they need to be changed if i have never changed them?
lol
lol
#14

lmao, you take the diff out of the diff housing, its the small circle with the small spyder gears inside of it, fill it will fluid or grease them up, and you dont really need to change it, it will give you better performance though
#15
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From: Debary,
FL
Anyone know what/if the Monsoon (1/8 Truggy) comes with in the diffs from the factory? They dont come dry do them? Thanks for any info!
#16
They shouldnt come dry, but its a mystery what weight it is. I never had a problem with stock fluid, but you could always replace it to get the desired effect you want.
#17
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From: Debary,
FL
Thanks for the info Derek! Im just bashing for now, so I just wanted to be sure I wasnt gonna burn one up if they came dry.. I'm gonna pick up some differnt weight diff lubs eventually, but for now I'll prolly just leave it alone. Thanks again!
#19
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From: Indianapolis, IN
Since we're talking diff fluids, Ijust opened up the diff's on my Backdraft 8e and found the rear had very little grease (red in color)and the front had no visible signs of any lubricant. Is that something to be worried about?
I've run the buggy through a couple charges on the battery so far. Iended up adding some valvoline general purpose grease to the front and rear gears while I was in there.
I've run the buggy through a couple charges on the battery so far. Iended up adding some valvoline general purpose grease to the front and rear gears while I was in there.
#20
Its best to put some silicone diff fluid in, grease will just keep it lubed and spinning freely. But silicone diff fluid will change the characteristics of how the car runs.
#22
Is it ok to run dry, as in w/o grease in the back?<div style="z-index: -1; position:absolute; top:0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 200px;"></div>
#23
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From: Phoenix,
AZ
zanga254,
I would recommend at least putting some grease in the diff to keep it lubed. Without some type of lubricant the gears are going to wear faster than normal.
Thanks,
Derek
RedcatRacing<br type="_moz"/>
I would recommend at least putting some grease in the diff to keep it lubed. Without some type of lubricant the gears are going to wear faster than normal.
Thanks,
Derek
RedcatRacing<br type="_moz"/>
#24
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From: hampton roads, VA
ORIGINAL: Redcat-Derek
zanga254,
I would recommend at least putting some grease in the diff to keep it lubed. Without some type of lubricant the gears are going to wear faster than normal.
Thanks,
Derek
RedcatRacing<br type="_moz" />
zanga254,
I would recommend at least putting some grease in the diff to keep it lubed. Without some type of lubricant the gears are going to wear faster than normal.
Thanks,
Derek
RedcatRacing<br type="_moz" />
I would like to know as well what comes in the diffs or what wieght comes in the diffs. I am starting to race my Backdraft 8E at my LHS track and would like some input on the diff oil.
#25
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From: Phoenix,
AZ
Hello formula87,
The diffs should come filled with grease, so i would recommend putting some silicone diff fluid in them to tune per your preference.
Thanks,
Derek
RedcatRacing
The diffs should come filled with grease, so i would recommend putting some silicone diff fluid in them to tune per your preference.
Thanks,
Derek
RedcatRacing



