Added More Gear Oil to Angle Drive; Quieter Now

10605 Views 50 Replies 16 Participants Last post by wjfyfe, Jun 14, 2018

Ulflyer

Discussion Starter · Jul 29, 2017

Looking for something to do today, I recall reading awhile back that someone suggested jacking up the front so that the Angle Drive would be tilted and then adding more gear oil. I think the premise was that the quart in it, wasn't high enough to thoroughly oil the gears and bearings...or something like that.

I put in about 3/4 quart of Redline Shockproof before it started running out. So, it now has 1 3/4 quarts. Had to do some errands and drove about 30 miles, some back roads, some interstate.

The normal growly/whine as I go through the gears is now much quieter. Very pleased with the outcome.

Just hope the additional oil doesn't splash out the top air vent!

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wjfyfe

· #2 · Jul 29, 2017 (Edited)

Ulflyer said:
Looking for something to do today, I recall reading awhile back that someone suggested jacking up the front so that the Angle Drive would be tilted and then adding more gear oil. I think the premise was that the quart in it, wasn't high enough to thoroughly oil the gears and bearings...or something like that.

I put in about 3/4 quart of Redline Shockproof before it started running out. So, it now has 1 3/4 quarts. Had to do some errands and drove about 30 miles, some back roads, some interstate.

The normal growly/whine as I go through the gears is now much quieter. Very pleased with the outcome.

Just hope the additional oil doesn't splash out the top air vent!

Did you have Redline Shockproof in it previously?

We changed to Royal Purple a while back which resulted in little to no change, I checked the level a couple of months later and found it to be a bit low, the store was out of RP so I topped it off with Lucas 75W-140 with the driver's side jacked up, afterwards ours seemed a bit quieter also.

Also checked the belt today and it's a bit tighter than specs provide for so it looks like the time has come to get the necessary tools and loosen it up a skosh..............

Bill

Ulflyer

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 29, 2017 (Edited)

I think it had Amsoil gear oil. Should make a good mix. ha. Later this evening I took a brush and soap & water and scrubbed the belt good....jacked up rear to make it easy. Then rinsed it off. Will see if that helps. The belt was loosened last Tuesday and initially it whistled a lot but that soon diminished to only when I goosed it a bit.

FWIW for those who haven't added gear oil, get a 3 foot or less piece of hose about 1/2" diameter and have a helper hold the end in the Angle Drive fill hole while you
slowly force the oil down the hose. Some gear oils come with a pointed end that would make
it easy. Today I used one of those rubber bulb suction gadgets that used to be used to fill batteries or now used to suck out brake fluid, etc,; let it fill with the gear oil and then stuck the end in the hose and squeezed it thru. Slow, but something one person can do with the SS jacked up on left front....gives you plenty of room to work. Just put something underneath the frame in case the jack gives way.

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wjfyfe

· #4 · Jul 30, 2017 (Edited)

Affirmative, that would make this operation easier, though I typically do this solo, (like ninety some percent of the folks out there?), using something like this:

gear oil pump quart - Bing images

Like you said, jack stand(s) are a must have to do this safely!

Bill

Reactions: 2

Ulflyer

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 30, 2017

wjfyfe said:
Affirmative, that would make this operation easier, though I typically do this solo, (like ninety some percent of the folks out there?), using something like this:

gear oil pump quart - Bing images

Like you said, jack stand(s) are a must have to do this safely!

Bill

I have one of those but couldn't find it! lol

wjfyfe

· #6 · Jul 30, 2017

Ulflyer said:
I have one of those but couldn't find it! lol

Your garage must look like mine? :shamefullyembarrased:

Bill

Reactions: 1

BKL

· #7 · Jul 30, 2017

I tried to use one of those oil pumps (typically used to pump oil into the transfer case on outboards), but every-time I pressed the plunger, the hose wanted to pop out of the angle-drive fill hole. I only got about 3/4 qt in. Maybe I should try again with the left side of the Slingshot jacked up. The Redline Shockproof did seem to be a little quieter, but I was concerned that I didn't get enough in.

Reactions: 1

Ulflyer

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jul 30, 2017

BKL said:
I tried to use one of those oil pumps (typically used to pump oil into the transfer case on outboards), but every-time I pressed the plunger, the hose wanted to pop out of the angle-drive fill hole. I only got about 3/4 qt in. Maybe I should try again with the left side of the Slingshot jacked up. The Redline Shockproof did seem to be a little quieter, but I was concerned that I didn't get enough in.

That's the way it was when I used mine. Somehow you have to be able to hold the hose in the hole while you pump. A helper works best, or you can do it the slow way like I did yesterday using the bulb thingie.

Ulflyer

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 30, 2017

wjfyfe said:
Your garage must look like mine? :shamefullyembarrased:

Bill

I have a 12 X24 shed that used to be a workshop but over they years has become the junk shop...stuff hanging all over the walls, piled up under the workbenches, etc. Sometimes its easier just to buy a new item rather than search for one I know I have...somewhere!! LOL

SlingLow

· #10 · Jul 30, 2017

There is such a thing as overfilling a gear case, creating too high of a pressure and blowing seals. Any opinion or knowledge of that on the angle drive from you gear heads out there? I'd hate to see more serious problems than a whine down the road for those who are doing this. Then again, if it solves the issue without creating another problem, it's a good thing.

Personally, I have never mixed brands and weights of oils. For the extra 25 oz. it is easier to drain it all and start over.

Ulflyer

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jul 30, 2017

SlingLow said:
There is such a thing as overfilling a gear case, creating too high of a pressure and blowing seals. Any opinion or knowledge of that on the angle drive from you gear heads out there? I'd hate to see more serious problems than a whine down the road for those who are doing this. Then again, if it solves the issue without creating another problem, it's a good thing.

Personally, I have never mixed brands and weights of oils. For the extra 25 oz. it is easier to drain it all and start over.

You make a good point about the pressure; I'm hoping that the air vent on top would prevent that, but who knows. Will be interested to see other comments about this.

Heading out for a longer ride today and will be able to get a better feel as to whether the noise has decreased, or whether it is just my imagination!

Reactions: 1

Mniron

· #12 · Jul 30, 2017

I have been running a full quart of oil in the angle drive, seems to work well. Excessive overfilling could have negative outcomes, the oil would be churned in the gearbox causing the oil to work against itself instead of lubricating has become horsepower robbing drag, creates heat and starts to breakdown.

The best method to fill the angle drive is to purchase a gearbox oil pump for a quart bottle at a auto store. When filling twist a shop cloth around the fill hose in the fill hole. You will need to hold the hose and shop cloth in place with one hand while pumping with the other. Pump in the full quart until it pumps air, take your time, this thick oil pumps hard and forcing it only pushes the hose out or something apart in the pump assembly. Once you have the quart of oil in be prepared to remove the fill hose and immediately install the fill plug with little oil running out. I do this on a flat surface and works well with no need to jack one side of the SlingShot up.

Reactions: 3

wjfyfe

· #13 · Jul 30, 2017 (Edited)

SlingLow said:
Personally, I have never mixed brands and weights of oils.

I believe that one will find where a product meets a specific specification, leading manufacturers will tell you that lubricants of differing brands and weights are compatible and can be mixed without consequence?

Bill

Ulflyer

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jul 30, 2017

Mniron said:
I have been running a full quart of oil in the angle drive, seems to work well. Excessive overfilling could have negative outcomes, the oil would be churned in the gearbox causing the oil to work against itself instead of lubricating has become horsepower robbing drag, creates heat and starts to breakdown.

http://www.slingshotforums.com/threads/inside-the-angle-drive-proper-belt-tension.13695/page-16
The author of this thread (LILB93) noted that if you were to fill the AD entirely it would hold 3.5 qts. He used 1.75 in the one he rebuilt. The last report I found from him he had run it several hundred miles and the temps, nor drag, never increased with the additional oil. Others have also increased the amount. Check out POSTS 93, 94, 99. 132, 137, 138,139, 140, 141, 173.

I believe I originally reported I had about 1 3/4 qts but with hindsight, its closer to
1.5 qt, perhaps a hair over.

Reactions: 1

Ulflyer

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jul 30, 2017

Ulflyer said:
You make a good point about the pressure; I'm hoping that the air vent on top would prevent that, but who knows. Will be interested to see other comments about this.

Heading out for a longer ride today and will be able to get a better feel as to whether the noise has decreased, or whether it is just my imagination!

Did a 130 mile run today, all at moderate speeds, none over 70, and no oil has spit out the air vent. I am convinced that the noise is somewhat lessened.

With the report by LILB93 that the capacity of the AD being 3.5 qts, I believe being only half full can not cause any problems, and hopefully will better oil the bearings and gears. Time will tell. Maybe sooner than later as I have an odd little growl when making left turns that sounds like the gear box. This has been going on for several months and hasn't seemed to get worse. If it gets to point that I think a mechanic can duplicate it, I'll take it in. Right now, I can't make it do it every time.

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Ron Manfredi

· #16 · Jul 30, 2017

I'm running 1 1/4 quarts of Redline Shockproof 75/250 for 2000 miles without any venting issues or front seal leaks. Jacked up the drivers side of the sling, put 1 jack stand under it and used this to add the extra fluid in:

Hill Country Custom Cycles Brake-Clutch Fluid Bleeder kit for Harley-Davidson

It's a kit we put together to reverse bleed ABS brakes on a Harley and worked great on the angle drive grease also.

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TimC

· #17 · Jul 30, 2017

I read about adding additional fluid before but had reservations

From the manual : "Add the recommended fluid. Do not overfill. Maintain the fluid level at the bottom edge
of the fill hole."

But I'm thinking a little extra can't hurt.

Mniron

· #18 · Jul 30, 2017

Ulflyer said:
http://www.slingshotforums.com/threads/inside-the-angle-drive-proper-belt-tension.13695/page-16
The author of this thread (LILB93) noted that if you were to fill the AD entirely it would hold 3.5 qts. He used 1.75 in the one he rebuilt. The last report I found from him he had run it several hundred miles and the temps, nor drag, never increased with the additional oil. Others have also increased the amount. Check out POSTS 93, 94, 99. 132, 137, 138,139, 140, 141, 173.

I believe I originally reported I had about 1 3/4 qts but with hindsight, its closer to
1.5 qt, perhaps a hair over.

I followed that thread and had read it in it entirety, I won't need to review it. The author has many good points and gave support to his claims. The beginning of said thread he rebuilt the angle drive to higher tolerances and was a much better drive from the get go. So that being said this is not the same drive you and I have in our SlingShots. Higher tolerances reduced friction and heat build up. There has been no update to his drive for almost a year and at that time it only had a few hundred miles on it, hardly a true test. I have 25000+ miles on the original drive with using Lucas Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer and 17,500+ miles with running a full quart in the drive. My drive is quiet and there has not been any ill effects to date. I changed to Lucas oil with about 800 miles with the common noise issue and it brought the noise level down immediately. I change the oil in the drive at intervals, first two intervals were 7,500 miles and the last was stretched to 10,000 miles. Based on what my findings were on the last change I recommend 7,500 mile intervals. We are all after a quiet long life drive and others use what they feel is best oil, I hope some others can share some long term documentation.

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TimC

· #19 · Jul 30, 2017

So you're still running 100% Lucas Stabilizer Mniron?
I'm tempted to try that.
my post-recall angle drive is noisier than the original..

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Mniron

· #20 · Jul 30, 2017

TimC said:
So you're still running 100% Lucas Stabilizer Mniron?
I'm tempted to try that.
my post-recall angle drive is noisier than the original..

Yes, it is not synthetic but it has worked well for me. Notable difference right away and has gotten even less noticeable with miles.

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