MTFCA Forum

What oil/grease is recommended for a Ruckstell?

Here's what I use in mine.

https://www.modeltford.com/item/140W.aspx

I like the 80W-90 Lucus gear oil. I like it because of its climbing ability. In my Ruckstell I added the tab that, I think, Dan McEachern talked about to direct more lubricant in the inner section of the Ruckstell

Curse me if you must, but I switched from 85-140 back to 600W in mine, and the problems I had (hard shiftinng, whine, etc._ went away. I only have about 4-5000 miles on the car since the switch, so I worry about it's imminent failure... (Yes, I know it's "steam oil")

Sorry. I know people thing modern oil or nada, but it works for mine. Not conjecture, but what I have run in it for miles. YMMV. With all the bronze in the rear end, I feel safer knowing my rear end oil is no longer attacking it.

I'm been running Sta Lube SAE 140 for years in all of my Ruckstells.

I've torn ruckstells down that have been running modern GL 5 for years. The only discernable thing I have seen is a greenish tint to the bronze plate.
Any modern lube - cheapest possible crap from tractor supply - is so far superior to the best there was 100 years ago that there is no comparison.
Personally, I like Lucas 80-140 gear lube but I don't think it makes much difference overall as long as you don't run heavy grease that won't work its way in between the bronze plate and the thrust plate.

You need a lighter grade oil than 600W for this reason: There are small holes inside the carrier which allows oil into the planetary gears and differential gears. For this reason you should also direct oil into these areas upon assembly of the axle. Also put some in the area where the shifter is bolted. 80W140 or 90 works very well.
Norm

I have been using 90-140 synthetic gear oil from McMaster Carr. Been using it for over 20 yrs. and very happy with the results....it does not attack the Bronze thrust washer. The gear oil stay's clear and does not turn a Bronze color like I have found using conventional gear oil.