205 issues: lube questions

[budbeater]

I had my 71 K20 out wheeling last saturday. I didn't do anything extreme, just some 4 low through a muddy desert ranch trail. I went about 4-6 miles in lo using the lowest three gears in my sm465. When I got back to "camp" I had an extremely hard time getting my transfer case out of low and getting the hubs turned back out. I pulled it forward and back several times and make sure that there was no tension on the drive line. What gives? That doesn't seem normal. It also seems like I am getting progressively more noise in 4 hi when using it to cruise 6-10 miles through snow. Ideas? I am going to start to address the issue by changing the fluid in the 205 the 465 and the front axle. Since I have only had the truck a little over a year I am still learning its issues.

What lube should I use for the NP205?

What should I use for the sm465?

Thanks

Budbeater

[Southedisto]

I use regular 90w. Sounds like some binding issues, try and roll slightly while someone else unlock/locks hubs. Also, try reverse just before moving tcase shift lever.

[special-K]

They can bind like that.Don`t worry too much.Did you try going to neutral in the t-case to l/o hubs?Did you try to shift it out of LO4 while moving?That should help.The lockouts probably could use cleaning and lube.I use a little EP grease,not packed,just enough to get a coat on everything.

[budbeater]

I didn't try to shift out while moving. I did move the truck back and forth using reverse and first gear to make sure there was no drivetrain tension that could be binding the t-case. I couldn't undo the hubs until the t-case shifted, then they turned just fine.

What do you mean by "lockouts probably could use cleaning and lube"? Are you talking about the hub locking mechanism(mine are spicer hubs just in case that makes any difference) or something in the T-case?

Thanks

Bud beater

[70rs/ss]

hes talking about the hubs on the axles

[budbeater]

Ok, did a significant rebuild on the front axle about a year ago. I replaced everything from the axles out (due to the previous owner being a partial idiot). The hubs were serviced then. How often should I re-service them?

Budbeater

[4x4Poet]

If the hubs were serviced with the right lube in the cap and on the internal clutch & collar, they shouldn't need servicing until the wheel bearings need repacking (30-50k miles depending on usage). Most folks ignore the cap to 100k plus.

Do you happen to know what type of lubricant was used in the hub itself? Some of the heavier axle greases are too heavy to let the plastic cap turn in cold temps. Hence the graphite lube recommendation above. Others use white grease. Basically, something light that stays in place under rotation with the heat cycles.

My '71 Service manual, page 3-14, says: "9a. Use "O" ring lube and install the new "O" ring in the groove of the plastic hub key knob..."

Same cold weather issue with the clutch & collar. I use synthetic grease for the internal clutch gear and collar that the outer knob moves to unlock and lock the front axle. (And synthetic for the wheel bearings, of course.) I think synthetic flows much better in sub-freezing temps. Synthetic gear oil also makes a big difference in the diff the first few miles until the R&P warms up.

Page 3-11 of the Service Manual states that "the transfer case control lever must be in 2-wheel drive position when locking or unlocking hubs."

As for the NP205, page 0-14 says under heading, "TRANSFER CASE", to "Use SAE "GL-5". I recommend 80-90 since you live in Utah. Synthetic might help the shifting forks move. Might. Check if any crud has built up around the exposed shifter rails causing interference.

[budbeater]

I was out looking for gear lube today. Do you think I can get away with the 75-90 Synthetic? It is the same stuff that I use for my axles, so it would be a convenience issue (one less bottle of stuff in my travel kit). I use all synthetic lubes in all my vehicles. I have seen its value when I have done engine and axle teardowns, and I get better measured power and gas mileage.

From what was said in the previous post my hubs should be fine. They were last serviced only about 9000-11,000 miles ago (if that). I have had the binding problem before in hot weather and I am begining to suspect some issue with the t-case rather than anything in the axle. I am just going to replace the lube in the 4 speed and in the 205 and start putting parts together for a 203/205 doubler and solve any unknown with new parts!

Budbeater

[4x4Poet]

Originally Posted by budbeater

I was out looking for gear lube today. Do you think I can get away with the 75-90 Synthetic?

Yup. I just mentioned 80-90 to mean not straight 90w. 75-90w would arguably be better for cold locales. I should have mentioned it as another viable option.

I am just going to replace the lube in the 4 speed and in the 205 and start putting parts together for a 203/205 doubler and solve any unknown with new parts!...

ORD's doubler works great but is heavy and requires driveshaft changes. In case you want to go with the best consider JB Conversions' new LoMax NP205 transfer case with 3 to 1 low range gearing. Expensive, but only ~10 lbs heaver than a stock NP205 with no driveshaft changes needed. Only 32-spline versions shipping now but 10-spline input gears (for use with SM465s) are in production.

[smokekiki]

What is the price on that LoMax unit.I bet it is more than most have paid for their truck. Better be into hard core wheeling for the cost of either the doubler or the LoMax.