My sold '90 base had redline in it since tranny rebuild (auto to 5spd swap) and after 50K miles its still fine. I've also used the Honda fluid in this car too, but it felt way to thin and the gears were louder. Redline is reddish pink, by the way.

My newtome '90 SPG had smelly gear oil in it - I swapped to redline and 3K miles later the tranny pinions went. It was ready to go anyway I figure, but still... After the rebuild I went with redline again.

My SPG was in the shop this week fixing my mistake (stripped slave cylinder fitting for hose...damn) and they practically fell over themselves to get me to replace the redline. This is the third indy shop I've talked to that is afraid of it. Each say its for protection of gear lash (and Saabers like the shifting), but is not designed for pinion bearings. Problem with all the anti-redline advice is that each of these mechanics have a different favorite lube - one says 75w90 gear oil, another says a straight 75W (whatever that means - maybe an EP75? - but the ep stuff is for hypoid final drive gears, which we don't have), and the other swears by 10w30. For what it's worth, Saab's diatribe on this (per Townsend site) prefers 10w30 engine oil.

Now I've become confused. Some swear by redline and attribute it to their long lasting gearboxes. Some say you can't go back to 10w30 after having gear oil in the box (although, I think on a rebuild w/ new pinions this is not a valid caution). The Honda fluid replaces their 10w30 recommendation, but I've not heard if they o.k. this as a running replacement for 10w30 in their older cars. Also, I've not heard what the Honda is designed for - improved shifting or prolonged pinion protection. The subject most discussed here is shifting, but shifting quality doesn't much matter on a box w/ dead pinion bearings...as I found out.

Sorry I haven't addressed your concerns. I've searched the BB on all these topics and theres enough to keep you reading all day. I'm going to infiltrate the Honda BB's this weekend to try to find out more about their gear oil.

burlyb
'90 SPG

posted by 216.160....

• Tranny oil advice needed, Emil, Fri, 1 Mar 2002 03:18:46
  • Re: Tranny oil advice needed, Lars E W, Fri, 1 Mar 2002 21:25:45
  • need more info, Kevin K , Fri, 1 Mar 2002 14:16:35
  • If it's OK now.....why mess with it?, Todd N, Fri, 1 Mar 2002 12:28:52
  • more tranny oil stuff..., Jim Blake, Fri, 1 Mar 2002 12:27:02
  • My 2 cents, patprice, Fri, 1 Mar 2002 10:32:28
  • funny this should arise again...rant inside..., burlyb, Fri, 1 Mar 2002 10:20:32 <-- Viewing This Message
  • If is stinks (sulfur) it's gear oil, and some say you>>, Tcar, Fri, 1 Mar 2002 10:15:12
    • Oops...>>, Tcar, Fri, 1 Mar 2002 10:17:20

No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.

• Prev by Date: Oops...>>, Tcar, Fri, 1 Mar 2002 10:17:20
• Next by Date: My 2 cents, patprice, Fri, 1 Mar 2002 10:32:28
• Main C900 Bulletin Board

StateOfNine.com

SaabClub.com

Jak Stoll Performance

M Car Covers

Ad Available

The content on this site may not be republished without permission. Copyright © 1988-2024 - The Saab Network - saabnet.com.
For usage guidelines, see the Mission & Privacy Notice.
[Contact | Site Map | Saabnet.com on Facebook | Saabnet.com on Twitter | Shop Amazon via TSN | Site Donations]

Random Saabnet.com Member Gallery Photos (Click Image)