OK. Here we go. I am new to ATV and I have done a search on all forums on this subject and found so many different answers, who knows what to believe. All I know is I want to take the best care of my ATV as I can. I have Honda 20w 50 oil in the engine. This unit is a 1994 model and I would like to change the other fluids to know that they are fresh. The front gear case is right in front of the foot gear switch. What do I put in there? Does it have to be the same as the engine? Also the differential is between the two front tires. What do I put in there? It saids in the manual Honda driveshaft oil or an equivalent Hypoid 80W gear oil. The problem is I went to the auto store and got some 80-90W gear oil that saids its recommended for all hypoid differentials and is Valvoline Durablend. But on my search there were many different reply's saying don't use synthetics or others saying you can. On the rear final gear case oil, what do I use in there? Also calls for the same as the differential oil between the two front tires. I FIGURED I WOULD JUST POST ON THE HONDA FORUM THESE QUESTIONS SINCE MY ATV IS A HONDA AND SOMEONE IS BOUND TO HAVE THIS SAME ATV AND SEE WHAT WORKS BEST IN THE BEST!!! THANKS

 

Stick with the Honda 20W50 in the engine for the summer....go to the Honda 10W40 during the cold months.

80W90 Hypoid gear oil is fine for both the front and rear differential. The synthetics are fine for the rear, but I too have heard the stories about using them in the front because of the clutch discs. BUT I do know people who have always used them with no problem. The biggest "thing" regarding the front differential oil is pouring in one ounce of GM friction modifier into the differential and then filling it up the rest of the way with the Honda differential oil.

The transfer case on the engine uses what ever weight oil that you are using in the engine. [20W50 or 10W40]

 

Thanks Knowsalot! You are the one person that I have been counting on to respond to my help. I have noticed that you are very helpful on the board and I have been checking back periodically since yesterday to see if you had responded. I put alot of stock in your recommendations. Again, THANKS!!!!!
Whitey

 

No problem Whitey. Thanks for the comments. I don't know everything about quads. I just help out when I can. I sometimes spend so much time answering PMs when I log on that I never get a chance to actually look into the forums. I've thought seriously about not using the PM feature any longer and keep everything in the open forum. Anyway, thanks.

One more thing that I just noticed is that I didn't expalin why the GM friction modifier is used. This will not only make the quad steer easier, but makes the transfer of power from one front wheel to other smoother when your in the mud. Less drivetrain wear and more traction.

 

One question regarding the friction modifier. In motorcycles with wet clutches you're NEVER supposed to use such things because your clutch will slip. Why is it ok to use it in the front diff on our TRX300's?

 

The clutch pack in the front differential is made to slip under a determined amount of torque, you NEVER want your engine clutch to slip when it is engaged. The modifier is OK, ford friction modifier works well too. Using the additive originally came about as a Honda recom. to fix a clicking noise heard in front end of trx350's (late 80's) when turning the wheels. It did help, and in some cases, eliminated this noise. I haven't seen it as being necessary in the 300's, but it wouldn't hurt either. I agree with Knowsalot except here in the colder climate we have up north, I recommend 10w-40 in the summer and 5w-30 in the winter. There is a temp vs. oil viscosity chart in the Honda service manual, I wonder if it isn't in the owner's manuals too? When in doubt about fluids, ALWAYS consult the manuals.

 

correction from my previous post, I said "you never want your clutch to slip when it is engaged" , I should have said when your lever is not pulled and you are not shifting gears, or when it is allowing engine and drivetrain to be hooked up.

 

That was understood dzzy.
I use Valvoline Durablend in my front diff and have no problems. A while back I changed the diff oil and put in some 80w or 90w gear oil which said it was for limited slip diffs. Not long after that I noticed when I would be coming to a stop with the handlebars locked to one side I'd hear a grinding noise in the front end. I was paranoid that it was a CV joint going out, but after re-draining the front diff I put in the Valvoline DuraBlend and that solved the problems. Only once since then have I heard a similar noise and it only happened after a long ride with a friend and I've not heard it since.

JC