Diff / Transfer / Gearbox Oil Change

With regards to the subject: Is this a big job?

I'm not very mechanically minded and don't have the greatest selection of tools. I'm not certain whether the PO ever did this, or what the recommended interval for doing it is.

If someone has had it done at a garage/by a mechanic, was it expensive?

Thanks for any info.

I'm waiting to get mine on a ramp to do just this or at least check the levels asap ..

It is a very easy job.
First get one of these, or something similar
www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/detai...00cc-oil-suction-gun
You also need a thread sealant for the drain plugs. I have some magic loctite product, but I guess heamatite will do.

To remove the filler and drain plugs you need a 10mm square tool, most people get away with the 3/8" drive ratchet from a tool kit. All the plugs have a square hole in. Fillers are about 1/2 way up, drains are at the bottom.

Undo the filler plug first, incase it is seized.
Undo the drain plug and let the oil drain into a suitable container. When it stops dripping, wipe the threads of the drain plug smear with sealant and replace, then use the oil syringe to add oil until it just runs out of the filler hole.

GL4 gear oil 75/90 in gearbox & transfer
GL5 EP 80/90 in the axles.

You do not need to jack the car up if you are on a hard level surface, you can squeeze underneath to reach the plugs.

Have a look for a how to guide on the front page.

As Facade said it's an easy job to do and if you don't have a Machinemart in your town you can get the oil suction gun from screwfix.
I use this same tool and it makes filling the axles+ gearbox +transfer box easy just suck the oil out of the oil can pump it in.
www.screwfix.com/p/laser-oil-suction-gun...a1&_requestid=122070

Thanks guys.

Will get it sorted.

Does anyone know if 1 litre of GL4 transmission fluid is enough for a fluid change?

M13A(non-VVT) Engine UK

Gearbox Oil 1.1 litres API GL-4 75W - 90
Transfer Gearbox Oil 0.8 litres API GL-4 75W - 90
Differential Oil (front) 1.1 litres API GL-5 80W - 90
Differential Oil (rear) 1.3 litres API GL-5 80W - 90

Check you can undo the filler plug before draining the oil out

Cheers mate

If you have the time, I recommend that you wait a few hours for each oil to drain.

By doing so, you will drain more old oil, which can be a significant amount.

My story:
I changed my front differential oil a month ago.
I removed the drain plug and let the old oil out. When the old oil stopped dripping, I plugged the drain valve. But just as I approached to pour new oil in, I realized I had something else more important to do. I came back to the garage in the afternoon to finish the job. But before I poured new oil, I decided to remove the drain plug one more time, just to see if any remaining old oil is there.

To my surprise, at least 200-300 ml of more old oil drained from the front diff!

Riccy wrote: Check you can undo the filler plug before draining the oil out

Ok so filler plug is proving to be a bit stubborn. Have soaked/sprayed with wd40 about a week ago and trying to use my ratchet (which seems like a good fit) and a ring spanner off the ratchet for leverage but it isn't moving. My torque wrench or my proper tool (for plug fitment) won't fit on the filler plug because the fuel tank is in the way.

Any suggestions or tips for me? Have sprayed again with wd40 but would really like this job done today and getting impatient

can you lock a good pair of mole grips on the outside edge

Jack

If I had a decent set of mole grips I could try!