Trans fluids

[uvbnbit]

1998. Yes, most all know about the Fluid discussions. Yes, I tried the Syntorq years ago at "tech" recommendation to eliminate NGR. Yes, it eliminated NGR, BUT... it also cause pre-mature wear on the paper syncro filters (i think thats what they called), which cause 3 rd to pop out occasionally, and hard 2-3 shifting. Had T-56 rebuilt about 4 yrs ago with stronger forks and filled with ATF Dexron III. I plan on doing drain/fill this weekend, and question regards Dexron III, IV, V....etc.
or the Dex/Merc blend?
And, again, Yes, year matters on the T-56.
Thanks.

[Thawk97]

I read up on this and settled on standard ATF+4 from the dealer (96 GTS). It boggles the mind that with as raw as these cars are, NGR bothers people.

[My98RT10]

1998. Yes, most all know about the Fluid discussions. Yes, I tried the Syntorq years ago at "tech" recommendation to eliminate NGR. Yes, it eliminated NGR, BUT... it also cause pre-mature wear on the paper syncro filters (i think thats what they called), which cause 3 rd to pop out occasionally, and hard 2-3 shifting. Had T-56 rebuilt about 4 yrs ago with stronger forks and filled with ATF Dexron III. I plan on doing drain/fill this weekend, and question regards Dexron III, IV, V....etc.
or the Dex/Merc blend?
And, again, Yes, year matters on the T-56.
Thanks.

Mayday, Mayday!! Paging Tom F&L!!!

Reading this I am really concerned now. Obviously, I have a 98 RT/10, too. 2 years ago I changed my tranny fluid. It was a very difficult to source the Castrol Syntorq but I wanted to go for factory fill and paid a premium to get it. I thought this would be the best way to avoid any lubricant related issues down the road.

Certainly, it would p... me off if Syntorq is creating premature wear on whatever parts of the tranny. So I strongly hope, that this is not true!

Wondering what Tom F&L thinks??

[01sapphirebob]

01 RT/10 and i filled it with the factory fill which is the syntorq. Wasnt aware of any issues with the factory fluid. Got it from a MOPAR dealership with a MOPAR part number.

[daveg]

96 GTS ATF+4 here. Very little if any NGR

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

1998. Yes, most all know about the Fluid discussions. Yes, I tried the Syntorq years ago at "tech" recommendation to eliminate NGR. Yes, it eliminated NGR, BUT... it also cause pre-mature wear on the paper syncro filters (i think thats what they called), which cause 3 rd to pop out occasionally, and hard 2-3 shifting. Had T-56 rebuilt about 4 yrs ago with stronger forks and filled with ATF Dexron III. I plan on doing drain/fill this weekend, and question regards Dexron III, IV, V....etc.
or the Dex/Merc blend?
And, again, Yes, year matters on the T-56.
Thanks.

What MILEAGE was on that trans when you rebuilt? And would you say you drive aggressively what % of time?

[Your post could cause unneeded panic in SynTorq users !]

[uvbnbit]

Mileage was in low 30k range. I'm thinking ATF4 now? I'm not aggressive driver. Minimal track n strip time. Set us straight.. Clarify once and for all the 1998 T56 synthetic mystery...please

[99RT10]

Get the Synth. ATF4. Good forever the way you drive..........................

[uvbnbit]

Get the Synth. ATF4. Good forever the way you drive..........................

So True....

[trappster]

Are all the ATF+4 fluids the same from Dodge, or is there a Viper specific one we need to get?

Tia!

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

No Viper-specific fluids, just 'recommended'

Ironically just today I had a dealer insisting on "DOT-3" fluid for a customer's 1997, because 'that's what the book says." He does not know that a Running-Design-Change in late 1997 [and ever since] switched to Dot-4.

1997 was the year that the Red-Labeled Trans drain plug departed from Dex-3 to SynTorq....and now some switch back.

[My98RT10]

@Chip: As you were saying that you switched to Syntorq based on a tech recommendation back in the day, does this mean your factory fill was Dexron III? Which month is your Viper?

In my case, although being also a '98 RT/10, Syntorq was the factory fill. I think I read somewhere that the production change from Dexron to Syntorq happened over the course of 1998. Mine is from November '98.

I also read, that they changed to Syntorq when changing the paper-lined synchronizer rings to carbon-fiber-lined rings. This happened when Tremec took over the production of T-56, which then must have been sometime in 1998!?

Maybe JonB can confirm or not whether this all makes sense...!? Thanks!

[uvbnbit]

I'll check the actual month on build date. My original fill was Dex3. Syntorq after 3 or 4 yrs started (assuming) the shifting problem. Rebuild ticket shows uprgraded 3-4 forks and synchro rings and seals. Filled with DexVI Aug, 2010.

Sessions says the ATF+4 is synth but still "thin" and red, but not as "thick" as the full Synth syntorq 75w-85.
I'm gonna go with the ATF4 (as has been recommended). Thanks all for the clarifications and such and I DO apologize for causing any kind of misleading and/or confusion. BUT, there obviously is some changes that were made in '98 that needed to be addressed once and for all ......hopefully

...' year matters! " -Jon B

[My98RT10]

No need to apologize at all!

We'll probably never fully clear up the mystery of the Syntorq... LOL

[stuntman]

Here are some notes that i've accumulated:

There's a April/98 TSB for 1994-1998 cars to use Part No. 04874459 Transmission Lubricant, SAE 75W (MS-9070) fluid in the transmission to fix the NGR.

Spring 2008 VM issue noted 1999-2006 cars use Mopar 75W85 GL4 04874459 meeting MS-9070

1997 cars came with Dexron III (an ATF), which April 1998 TSB allows to be replaced with 75W85, which is a GL-4.

1999 Syntorq became factory fill through 2006. 2008-2009 use Mopar ATF+4.

Since Mopar no longer sells Dexron II-3 or III, ATF+4 has been recommended as the replacement to the Dexron series of ATFs (IIe and III) which can be used on 1992-1998 Vipers.

Dexrons are Red while 75W85 is clear.

Dexron III has a viscosity of 5 cSt (which = a SAE <10W).
75W80 has a viscosity of 10-11 cSt (which = SAE 30).

Mopar Synthetic Manual Transmission Lube 75W-85 (04874459) - MS-9070 = Castrol Syntorq LT (Mopar #4637579) and possibly is the same as GM Castrol Syntorq LT (GM# 12346190)

[uvbnbit]

OK. Here we go. I'm going with the Synthetic, mopar 04874459 75w-85. Yes, I know....smdh.

Tom (sessions) had actually talked to John Donato regarding said question and his recommendation was the Synthetic would be fine. Better protection overall, smoother, etc.
If in a few years of my granny driving, I have issues, I'll let everyone know. It'll be a good excuse to go to a 6060

Thanks everyone for their input. But, then again, that's what we do here, right?

[WDW MKR]

Syntorq quieted some noticeable howl in 5/6 gear for me and shifting smoothness was unaffected. I love Syncromesh in my other T56s, but I'm a fan of Syntorq in this one.