I have a 94 Pickup - 22re 5 speed. I changed my clutch about a month ago. When I did I drained the transmission oil per the FSM. After finishing the clutch I filled the tranny with Valvoline 75W-90 SynPower full synthetic.

It ran normal for about 500 miles but then I began to notice a little "kick" on the shifter when going into 3rd and 5th. It goes into gear without any grinding but it has just a little "grab" when going into gear. If I shift slowly it will not do this, but a quick shift will.

This is really annoying as before that tranny shifted perfectly smooth. Also the clutch is engaging and releasing just as it should. The shifter seems to be like it always was ... not sloppy or anything ...

So anyone got any ideas?

Thanks

Use a GL4 oil such as Red Line MT90. GL5 oils can prevent the syncros from working to the best of their ability.

So I spent like $36 on the Valvoline and the Redline MT90 would be about $56.

Can anyone else chime in on this?

I'll change to MT90 if it will make the problem go away ...

Just use a GL4. Doesn't have to be fancy.

for me when i wnet to the Redline MT90, it was like a new 5 Speed.

Redline's expensive but will last much longer than a dino GL-4. Not to mention dino GL-4 is difficult to find.

I just got my 86 4Runner dlx (hence, new member), and am having a hard time finding plain GL4 in local stores (San Diego). Looks like it wud have to be Redline MT90. Checked tranny and transfer case oil and they look clean (thanks, PO!), so I'm taking my time to find best deal on GL4 now. Would appreciate if you guys can share your source of Redline MT90 with best price.

If looking local, check Redline's dealer page and check the local sources. About 10 yrs. back I found a local Redline dealer that was basically a small race shop. I was able to pick up a case of oil for a very good price. Otherwise, I have also used Summit Racing to order it on-line when I only needed a qt. or two.

StaLube makes a conventional GL4 oil, I picked up a gallon jug some years back at the local auto parts store (Kragans - now ORielleys). I think both Honda and GM dealer parts counters also carry a syncromesh gear oil that is supposed to be pretty good.

Summit racing and Amazon both carry redline Mt90 I just picked some up myself.


-RONI-

GL-5 is too slipery for the transmission, which that type of Valvoline is. Gl-4, like others have said is the best...espically Redline MT-90.

I have been using it for years and my transmission has always been rock solid.

OK will change to a GL-4. Local shop has Redline MT-90 for $12-$13 per quart. Outside of them I can't even find a GL-4 oil anywhere at any parts place.

Wouldn't mind something cheaper. What about a thicker GL-4 80w-90 or 85-90? Anyone know where to get other GL-4 oils without ordering them and paying for shipping?

I live in NC (not in mountains) and winters are pretty mild normal highs 40s and 50s lows in the 30s, and occassionally in the teens. Summers are usually in 90s.

I just documented this topic - click here. I used Mobil 1 gear oil in the past and just switched to Redline MT-90.

Check with your local Napa to see if they can get the Sta Lube. The 85W90 should be OK unless you have real cold winters. Doesn't appear that they make a 75W90 wt.

OK found Sta-lube 85w-90 GL-4 for $31.49 at Napa. What do you guys think about 85w-90?

HA HA! Anrgybob you posted just before me!!

Yes, that will work fine. You generally won't find a 75W90 in a conventional oil anyway as they tend to have a narrower viscosity range.

Consider that you are saving $20 but the synthetic MT-90 (or any synthetic...but stick with GL-4) will run cooler and have a much longer change interval.

The MT-90 does last a long time. If you are in personal economy mode, save the Valvo from your trans(since it's new and clean) and use it in your diffs when needed.

Yeah I still may spring for the MT-90. Good idea about saving the Valvoline for differentials.
I have a Jeep that has a leaky pinion seal and I add gear oil to it every so often till I get it fixed.

After its done I'll report back on how it shifts ...

OK guys thanks for the input ...

Got the MT-90 from a local race shop for $53 and change ...

Changed the fluid and ...



I'm doing the happy dance.

It shifts sooooo smooooth now. Now it drives the way I remember way back before I had to do all this wrenching on it (clutch, front seal, valve cover, water pump)

That MT-90 is so good I might just put it in my jeep's AX-15 tranny ...

Amazing what the right grade of oil will do for the shifting. And it is not so much that GL5 oil is bad and GL4 oil is good, it is rather that GL5 oil is "too good" as in too slippery for the synchros in the transmission to do their job.

It is simply amazing ...

To clarify ... My Jeep has brass snychros and I can't use GL-5s in it. Chrysler says you can use 10w-30 motor oil. Many Jeepers use MT-90. Now that I see how well it does in my truck I think I'll use it instead of 10w-30 in my Jeep. It should last longer.