oil for winch

[Roald]

I have an old military wm-300 (export model from 1968) that I bought for spare parts. It has a braden mu-2 (I think) winch. The winch is in the same condition as the rest of the truck, which means it probably needs a rebuild when I get around to it.

My question is, which oil can I use to fill up the gearhouse untill disassembly? I was thinking about using a cheap ATF to loosen it up, but I can understand the bronze gear does not tolerate every kind of oil?

[Desoto61]

You don't want anything with sulfur in it, that's what usually attacks the bronze in the gear. Beyond that gear oil for use in a worm-gear type assembly is slightly different then "regular" oil.

Really good write-up of everything you probably never wanted to know about worm gear lubricant in this thread.

[pwrwagonfire]

^^Great article.

At work, we have always used 80w90 in our Braden winches. I am not sure if this is correct or not, but just putting it out there.

-T

[Charles Talbert]

^^Great article.

At work, we have always used 80w90 in our Braden winches. I am not sure if this is correct or not, but just putting it out there.

-T

Most gear lube now days has some amount of sulfur blended into the additive package. There are a precious few that don't; at least that was the case the last time I checked into all that; so be careful in making a selection. Worm gear lube is the correct oil to use, so I'd say it is much less complicated to stay away from gear lube all together and source a premium quality worm gear lube for your winch. We are currently using Royal Purple ISO 460 synthetic worm gear lube, it has worked out very well for us.

[pwrwagonfire]

Most gear lube now days has some amount of sulfur blended into the additive package. There are a precious few that don't; at least that was the case the last time I checked into all that; so be careful in making a selection. Worm gear lube is the correct oil to use, so I'd say it is much less complicated to stay away from gear lube all together and source a premium quality worm gear lube for your winch. We are currently using Royal Purple ISO 460 synthetic worm gear lube, it has worked out very well for us.

Good info!

-T