Hi from Croatia!

Few days ago I gave a new home to one beaten up and abused '88 Samurai that was written of in company that I work for.

It was sitting in storage for a few years and to my surprise after fixing one broken wire in distributor it fired up immediately.

So far I've changed timing belt, tensioner, rotten vacuum and cooling hoses and put a new exhaust.

Now I'm stuck with gear oil. A friend of mine gave me full synth 75W-90 API GL5 oil however I've heard that GL5 oils tend to eat away brass synchromeshes in older gearboxes. Is this true and can I use this oil in SJ?

Same applies to the brakes. Service manual states that DOT3 should be used but I just can't find any DOT3 brake fluid where I live, only DOT4.

Thanks a lot!

I have never heard of gl5 eating brass syncros, if that was true how do any seals hold up?  I use Redline 75W 90W and if you can find it where you are it I recomend it highly.  Is about 8 bucks a quart and worth every penny.

8 bucks a quart!?


*cough cough cough*

I have never heard of gl5 eating brass syncros, if that was true how do any seals hold up?

I did some research and found this on Pennzoil web page

http://proc.w3.lt/auto/varikl/tepti/oils_faq.htm#4.

"If an API GL-5 gear oil is used in a application where API GL-4 gear oil is called for, chemical corrosion of "yellow metal" components may occur, such as bronze synchronizers, brass bushings, etc. This may lead to shifting difficulties or shortened equipment life."

I'll definitely use GL-4 in gearbox, just to be on safe side and GL-5 in transfer case and axles. Can aynone confirm there are no "yellow metal" parts in axles and transfer case?