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Post by kevinb on Sept 2, 2019 16:13:00 GMT
I have a 2012 manual awd & need to know what quantities & grade of oil to use for transfer box, gearbox & rear diff as want to get these changed.
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Post by Dulac on Sept 3, 2019 10:34:49 GMT
Can't help you much there unfortunately as the VX dealer does mine. A while ago I looked into the availability of transfer box oil for the Antara and could not find an equivalent spec other than the GM product. I found in the past that GM branded lubricants from the dealer's parts counter were less expensive than (say) Halfords.
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Post by victor on Sept 3, 2019 15:54:43 GMT
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Richy
New Member
Posts: 22 
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Post by Richy on Sept 9, 2019 1:40:19 GMT
Transfer box and diff cannot be overfilled as the fill plug is at the fill level. The gearbox however is filled from the top, so you need to measure the oil you put in. I used fully synthetic ep75-90 in all 3 boxes, gearbox, transfer box and diff. Have to say the gearbox is now silky smooth.
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Post by victor on Sept 9, 2019 15:00:35 GMT
Transfer box and diff cannot be overfilled as the fill plug is at the fill level. The gearbox however is filled from the top, so you need to measure the oil you put in. I used fully synthetic ep75-90 in all 3 boxes, gearbox, transfer box and diff. Have to say the gearbox is now silky smooth. Richy, what brand of oil did you use? |
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Richy
New Member
Posts: 22
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Post by Richy on Sept 10, 2019 6:45:58 GMT
Westway Fully Synthetic SAE 75w90 75W/90 Gear Oil to GL-4 GL-5 specification. Works out about £5/litre
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Post by Dulac on Sept 10, 2019 8:18:29 GMT
Westway seems to have good reviews.
Found this on a Volvo forum:
'The world of gearbox oils is quite confusing, it appears initially simple but it is not really. My V70 II T5 has done 113k miles and I figure the gearbox oil should be changed, I talked to an independent gearbox specialist who said at that mileage it would be a good idea despite the oil being designed for the life of the gearbox.
The Volvo spec oil is GL4 75W.
Comma do a GL4 75W and a GL4 75W80 fully synthetic.
Comma says their oils have not been tested on my specific gearbox though hence "refer to handbook", although their oils do meet other Volvo specs.
Carlube's old guidebook I found in a motor factors says 75W90 GL4 semi-synthetic. Their online system for my car says "refer to handbook" but if I put in a V70 I T5 or V70 II 2.4T then it gives 75W80 Driveline Multi-Vehicle Mineral Oil (this normally means a GL4 and GL5 compatible additive pack I think). I can't imagine the gearbox is different to mine....
The motor factors said 75W90 would be fine in an older higher mileage gearbox. Probably true.
I spoke to technical services at Comma and they said that EP (extra pressure) additives are now added to most gearbox oils, and that typrically there was more EP additives in GL5 compared to GL4. However, I think "EP" is also used as a brand name on GL4 products sometimes...
Anyway I have orded some "Made in Britain" Westway GL4 Synthetic 75W80, I got a good deal on it. I can't imagine it will do any harm.... I stayed clear of the GL5 which is not good for yellow metals apparently due to reaction with the higher dose EP additives. I just hope not being "EP" that it will be OK for the combined diff and gearbox unit.'
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Richy
New Member
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Post by Richy on Sept 11, 2019 4:36:56 GMT
Looks like the person in your post has given this some serious consideration. From my perspective I looked at various websites and the recommended lubricants met the GL4 & GL5 specification so I looked for a fully synthetic product which met this specification. I wanted to go fully synthetic because I'm mostly towing and I felt that a synthetic product would stand up better to the temperatures that get created when consistently working under high load conditions. OK thats the politically correct bit. My next point is far more subjective and opinionated and just represents my view, I'm not expecting you all to agree with me.
My view is that nearly all transfer box failures are caused by oil starvation and that the levels should be checked as part of a service interval, which it isn't and I don't believe is part of a service shedule. I think this is true of all motor manufacturers and I'm not singling any particular one out. My view is gear oils should be changed at least every 50k miles, the oil drained from my transfer box was filthy and contaminated. I think oil with metal particulate is worse than any kind of oil irrespective of what the type (really subjective). I think manufacturers don't put this in their service schedules because it increases the servicing cost which will put people off buying their product and could have an effect where people start tampering and changing the oil themselves which if not sealed correctly could lead to a slight leak then oil starvation and ultimate catastrophic failure, after all, oil levels in gearboxes etc cannot be easily checked unlike that of an engine. So the manufacturers gamble that by the time the gearboxes have destroyed themselves the car will be of sufficient age that they cannot be blamed and can make a killing on the repairs by changing everything including items that are probably fine and don't need replacing. I would welcome your views.
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Post by Dulac on Sept 11, 2019 12:53:00 GMT
I couldn't have put it better myself! There seem to be catastrophic transfer box failures across all makes of car - not in vast quantities but enough to make the owner weep because of the cost implications.
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