Transfer Case Lubricant

wolcott · **Joined:** Thu Nov 10, 2005 4:16 pm **Posts:** 108

Like most 4wd users, I recently started to have trouble with the Libby sticking in 4wd after the shift lever was moved back to 2wd, despite using Amsoil ATF in the transfer case, and changing it at reasonable intervals. I recently tried a lube which seems to work better, and seems to have stopped this sticking in 4wd. It is sold by Rockland Standard Gear, (www.rsgear.com) and for the New Process 242 transfer case they recommend RSG-150GM, which costs $10 per quart. They recommend 3 quarts and with shipping and handling, this costs $50.

2005 CRD
fuel pump, SAMCO hoses, improved air box, 57,000 miles

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 7:51 pm

Quote:

Like most 4wd users

?! Never heard of the problem. I have 3 Jeeps running 231's and 1 w/ a 241 Rubi case all w/ Amsoil ATF and never had a sticking problem. So is it only common on the 242?

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 7:57 pm

Interesting reading on this pdf: http://www.rsgear.com/articles/2002_01.pdf

they suggest using synthetic 5w30 motor oil for the NP/NV series of Jeep transfer cases? I wonder who is making Their lube for them? Betting it must just be a 5w30 syn oil? If that is the case, I might give it a whirl in my wifes KJ since I have a spare TC for it anyway.

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:05 pm

the NV3500 uses a 5w30 oil in trans as well

InCommando · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:12 pm

I play to some small degree at least monthly, and I've never had such a problem with the 241 in my KJ. It must be a 242 thing?

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:13 pm

Thanks for the tip :!:

I've suspected the fluid as part of the problem and was thinking about a additive or different fluid.
How is shifting in and out of Lo range?
I went to their site and found two listed. The main page under lubricants it lists RSG-SM for the 242 and the chart here
http://www.rsgear.com/articles/2003_10.pdf
they list RSG-530-GM for the 242??

Did you call them or something?

Thanks
Joe

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:14 pm

Joe Romas wrote:

Thanks for the tip :!:

I've suspected the fluid as part of the problem and was thinking about a additive or different fluid.
How is shifting in and out of Lo range?
I went to their site and found two listed. The main page under lubricants it lists RSG-SM for the 242 and the chart here
http://www.rsgear.com/articles/2003_10.pdf
they list RSG-530-GM for the 242??

Did you call them or something?

Thanks
Joe

What fluid are you running now in it?

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:17 pm

JJsKJ wrote:

Quote:

Like most 4wd users

?! Never heard of the problem. I have 3 Jeeps running 231's and 1 w/ a 241 Rubi case all w/ Amsoil ATF and never had a sticking problem. So is it only common on the 242?

You have not herd of this problem because you have the "Command Track" and CRD's have the "Select Track or the 242 and yes it's only on the 242. The site listed shows a picture of the shift fork. It's driven both ways by springs.

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:21 pm

JJsKJ wrote:

Joe Romas wrote:

Thanks for the tip :!:

I've suspected the fluid as part of the problem and was thinking about a additive or different fluid.
How is shifting in and out of Lo range?
I went to their site and found two listed. The main page under lubricants it lists RSG-SM for the 242 and the chart here
http://www.rsgear.com/articles/2003_10.pdf
they list RSG-530-GM for the 242??

Did you call them or something?

Thanks
Joe

What fluid are you running now in it?

Mopar ATF+4. I changed it at 10K when I changed the differential fluid for trailer towing. It has always been very stubborn to get out of 4 part time when going from full time to 2 wd. Tires are rotated every oil change and pressure checked weekly.

I personally never thought transmission fluid was a good thing to use in a transfer case with no clutches in it :?:

InCommando · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:41 pm

Joe Romas wrote:

JJsKJ wrote:

Quote:

Like most 4wd users

?! Never heard of the problem. I have 3 Jeeps running 231's and 1 w/ a 241 Rubi case all w/ Amsoil ATF and never had a sticking problem. So is it only common on the 242?

You have not herd of this problem because you have the "Command Track" and CRD's have the "Select Track or the 242 and yes it's only on the 242. The site listed shows a picture of the shift fork. It's driven both ways by springs.

Most of us are quite familiar with the 4wd systems, but the post said " Like most 4wd users, I recently started to have trouble with the Libby sticking in 4wd after the shift lever was moved back to 2wd" and not "like most 242" or "most CRD 242" users. I guess 2 people asking about it shows I wasn't the only one that didn't assume that you were only talking about rigs equipped just like yours. There are many reason I have the gas engine, the 6spd, and the 241, and the list keeps growing.

The proper lube in a transfer case has always been an issue. The Jeep B.W. Quadra trac is a classic example that using anything but the approved fluid harms the t-case. There are some "homebrews" that work for it now that the original is hard to get & expensive. There is also a big debate over the use of multi-weight oil, straight weight oil, or Dexron in the 208, as well. The trouble comes when you have a 20-30 year old jeep & have no idea what P.O.'s have subject the t-case to. Thankfully my D20 would probably work with crisco in it. :shock:

But when you consider that atf is basically a low viscosity/ high detergent oil, it doesn't seem to be that big of deal. Numerous t-cases run perfectly on ATF as that is what they were designed to run.

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:53 pm

InCommando wrote:

Most of us are quite familiar with the 4wd systems, but the post said " Like most 4wd users, I recently started to have trouble with the Libby sticking in 4wd after the shift lever was moved back to 2wd" and not "like most 242" or "most CRD 242" users. I guess 2 people asking about it shows I wasn't the only one that didn't assume that you were only talking about rigs equipped just like yours. There are many reason I have the gas engine, the 6spd, and the 241, and the list keeps growing.

The thread started in the CRD section and was moved!!

wolcott · **Joined:** Thu Nov 10, 2005 4:16 pm **Posts:** 108

I started this in the CRD section because I saw a posting by other CRD users who had trouble with the 242 transfer case sticking in 4wd. Since I'd been having trouble with this, I got on the web and found Rockland lubes and tried their product.

Rockland seems to use different part designations for their lubes, depending on which make and model of vehicle it is supposed to be used in. I called them up and ordered the lube for the 242, which they said was SM. When it arrived it was marked as 150 GM, and the bottle said it was for a GM synchromesh transmission, so I called them to verify I'd gotten the correct lube and they verified this was the right lube for a 242. The lube appears to be a light oil that has a blue tint and a sulphurous odor, but it seems to work better than the Amsoil ATF at preventing sticking in 4wd. Since it is synthetic, it should work well in cold conditions.

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:33 pm

InCommando
guess some are special and others of us have never owned any 4 wheel drives before and know nothing about other 4 wheel drives

so I ask the question why the attack on someone for asking a simple question be in a CRD or gas powered, it could always benefit us all maybe at some point :shock:

InCommando · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:40 pm

Joe Romas wrote:

The thread started in the CRD section and was moved!!

That certainly answers my questions

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:45 pm

Like I have stated in the CRD forum before the 242 has KNOWN issues,have been known for 10+ years but poepel still buy them :roll:

.

My 2 cents

Oh by the way if you have any warrenty and put anything but ATF+4 in the t-case and it goes south your stuck paying for it,unless you run Amsoil since they will pick the bill up if the fluid caused the problem.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:56 pm

Yea, Ive had my 242 stick before but once I learned how it works Ive never had any problems with it(same with our xj). Just gotta shift when you know you wont be turning or spinning any wheels. Once shifting, let off the gas then get back on it. It can also help to shift the tranny into N then back to D. I love the 242..

From what Ive read, ATF+4 is straight 30w but idk if theres any truth to that. Someone posted it on JU.

InCommando wrote:

The proper lube in a transfer case has always been an issue. The Jeep B.W. Quadra trac is a classic example that using anything but the approved fluid harms the t-case. There are some "homebrews" that work for it now that the original is hard to get & expensive.

You must be thinking about the 247 which is used in the quadra trac and quadra drive WJ's and wk's. The 249 has a sealed viscous unit, didnt really matter what fluid you used.

And yes, the fluid for the 247 is expensive.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 10:16 pm

Hmmmm I see. Guess Amsoil synchromesh fluid would work well in the 242 then too?

FWIW then, I can get 3 qts of the Amsoil 5w30 Synchromesh to anyones door for $40.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 10:40 pm

JJsKJ wrote:

Hmmmm I see. Guess Amsoil synchromesh fluid would work well in the 242 then too?

FWIW then, I can get 3 qts of the Amsoil 5w30 Synchromesh to anyones door for $40.

As JJ already knows, Amsoil recommends the Synthetic Universal Transmission Fluid over their Synchromesh for the 242. So, I would highly recommend using the Universal Transmission fluid first. There should not be any problems.

InCommando · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 11:33 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

InCommando wrote:

The proper lube in a transfer case has always been an issue. The Jeep B.W. Quadra trac is a classic example that using anything but the approved fluid harms the t-case. There are some "homebrews" that work for it now that the original is hard to get & expensive.

You must be thinking about the 247 which is used in the quadra trac and quadra drive WJ's and wk's. The 249 has a sealed viscous unit, didnt really matter what fluid you used.

And yes, the fluid for the 247 is expensive.

Nope, I was referring to the original Quadra trac used in FSJ's through 1979. It was a Borg Warner T-case ( BW 1335?) and had to use AMC Q-trac fluid unless you put a part-time kit in it. But the 247 is probably anothe fine example of "you better run what they tell ya." T-cases seem to be a prime example of the KISS principle. If you don't KISS, you get more headaches.

rangerd77 · **Joined:** Sat May 03, 2008 10:48 am **Posts:** 512

i use this in all my JEEPS

never had one problem

Transfer Case Lubricant

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