ARB Locker and Diff Oil

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Nottajeep

Nottajeep

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Does anyone have more info on the compatibility of the ARB locker and Mobil 1 gear oil?

I just put the M1 oil Mobil 1 Synthetic Gear Lube LS 75W-90 in this weekend and later found this blurb Air Locker | ARB USA Blog from ARB?

I hate to go back and drain all of the good oil out due to the limited slip friction modifer contained in the Mobil 1.

Looking for anyone who has some insight on this:confused:

Thanks!
 
I called ARB and spoke with a tech.

The limited slip additives seem to harm the orings long term. No other effect on the locker is expected.
The tech said he would just keep the M1 in the diffs and not worry about it. He admits ARB recommended fluids listed in the service manual are non existent in the US and they need to do a better job updating their service manual. Also, he stated the redline gear oil is high in friction modifers and he would avoid using that oil for the lockers.

Not sure if this helps anyone, but my mind is at ease a little more. I can't imagine Mobil has any oil that is not compatible with o-rings or why ARB would choose a compound that could deteriorate this easy. Maybe, I will be the guinea pig for long term testing. haha
 
My ARB is getting installed this week and I plan to run Valvoline 75w-90 gear oil (non-synthetic). I change my fluids every year so for me there is no need for fancy stuff.
 
I run M1 in mine. I like that it's readily available. I've had my ARBs for just about 15k miles now.
 
jonharis said:
I run M1 in mine. I like that it's readily available. I've had my ARBs for just about 15k miles now.
Click to expand...

Good to know. If there happens to be a failure, you should know before me. Are you going to contiune running the M1 gear lube?
 
jasonbraswell said:
Good to know. If there happens to be a failure, you should know before me. Are you going to contiune running the M1 gear lube?
Click to expand...

Planning on it. It's always seemed to work fine for me, used it in other vehicles with LSDs, never another vehicle with ARBs. Unless I see a strong statement not to use it, I'll probably leave well enough alone.
 
FWIW..I have run M1 in my ARB-locked 4Runner diffs since 2004 with no issues. This is the first I had heard there were potential issues associated with running M1 from ARB.
 
^^that's a good test for me then.
 
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