Locking rear diff - which oil!

[Discofever]

Hi all,

I'm half way through my first oil change on the TDV6 Disco and I'm happy that I have adequately researched and used correct specs for the transmission and front diff.

I noticed I have the elctronic solenoid on the rear diff so am assuming it is the lockable ediff, as opposed to an open diff. I have read that this requires a different oil than the front, is this correct?

Also, I have read conflicting reports regarding transfer case oil, some people use the same ATF oil they use in the transmission, others us various brands of syntrax synthetic 75w-90.

So, following hours of forum internet searches as well as the Good Oil thread on this board I am none the wiser :confused:

I have two questions that I hope get some responses as I need some kind of consesus. The car is 10 years old, out of warranty and I'm open to suggestions outside Stealer recommendations.

1. What oil do you use in your rear ediff?

2. What oil do you use in you TC?

Your responses will greatly assist a mind that is slowly caving in, and allow a Father to put his anxiety to one side allowing him time with his children this weekend :D

[Narangga]

According to the owner's manual:

Castrol SAF Carbon Mod Plus

According to the Castrol Australia website - see your local dealer:

Castrol Australia - NetLube (http://www.datateck.com.au/lube/castr_au/#idNote1457)

(see note 1457)

Sorry I can't be more helpful than that. :(

[Redback]

Equivilent to whatever spec oil Land Rover use, and I'm pretty sure the rear diff is the same as the front, regardless of whether you have the E-diff.

TC

Full synthetic

SAE 75w90

GL-5

DIFFS


Full synthetic

SAE 75W90

GL-5

[Discofever]

According to the owner's manual:

Castrol SAF Carbon Mod Plus

According to the Castrol Australia website - see your local dealer:

Castrol Australia - NetLube (http://www.datateck.com.au/lube/castr_au/#idNote1457)

(see note 1457)

Sorry I can't be more helpful than that. :(

Thanks but I'm interested in what you use? As above? At this stage I'm looking for some kind of consensus rather than going by the book. If someone has used a certain oil for their ediff for 50k and all is well that's probably good enough for me.

[Narangga]

Thanks but I'm interested in what you use? As above? At this stage I'm looking for some kind of consensus rather than going by the book. If someone has used a certain oil for their ediff for 50k and all is well that's probably good enough for me.

Unfortunately no e-diff here so I can't even ask my mechanic.

[Narangga]

Equivilent to whatever spec oil Land Rover use, and I'm pretty sure the rear diff is the same as the front, regardless of whether you have the E-diff.



D3 Owner's Manual does quote different spec for the locking rear Baz.

[shanegtr]

No idea on the E-diff as I dont have one. But for the transfer case I use Royal Purlple Syncromax. Meets the shell spec. The transfer case contains a clutch pack for the centre diff lockup so requires an oil spec very similar to auto trans oil.

[Discofever]

D3 Owner's Manual does quote different spec for the locking rear Baz.

Yeah owners on most O/S forums allude to that, although no general consensus. In South Africa many use a Castrol BOT formula.

[Discofever]

No idea on the E-diff as I dont have one. But for the transfer case I use Royal Purlple Syncromax. Meets the shell spec. The transfer case contains a clutch pack for the centre diff lockup so requires an oil spec very similar to auto trans oil.

Yeah the RP was leading the way for me based on advice from UK D3 owners. I think that's the way I'll go. Now to sort this rear diff out...

[Narangga]

Have you read this post and the one following?

Seems a call to ta LR dealer might be the quickest way to get the required fluid for the e-diff.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-4/138727-where-do-you-get-diff-oil.html#post1574717

[Discofever]

Have you read this post and the one following?

Seems a call to ta LR dealer might be the quickest way to get the required fluid for the e-diff.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-4/138727-where-do-you-get-diff-oil.html#post1574717

Thanks I read through all that and was none the wiser. I'm hoping that as another 5 years has passed since that thread others may have become more savvy with regard to their e-diff oil selections. And here I was thinking having the e-diff was a good thing!

[Redback]

I have the E-DIFF, and as far as I can tell the oil above is what goes into the TC and DIFFS.

Pro Gear GL-5 75W-85 is a premium full synthetic, API GL-5, SAE 75W-85, differential and transaxle gear oil manufactured with a blend of carefully selected synthetic base oils and purpose designed additives including an enhanced wear protection package to provide excellent load carrying ability and longer service life.
Viscosity



75W-85

Base Oil



Full Synthetic

Used in the following applications:



Differentials
Transaxles
Transfer Cases

Can be used where the following SAE viscosities are recommended:



SAE 80
SAE 75W-90

Application

Pro Gear GL-5 75W-85 is optimised for differentials, both hypoid and limited slip, transfer cases, manual transaxles and gearboxes in late model passenger cars, 4WD's and light commercial vehicles that specifically require the use of an API GL-5, SAE 75W-85 viscosity gear oil.
Pro Gear GL-5 75W-85 is suitable for use where MB 235.7 and ZF TE-ML 18 is specified as well as where VW TL 521 45-X (G 052 145 A1), VW TL 521 90 (G 052 190 A2/G 055 190 A2) is recommended. Pro Gear GL-5 75W-85 may be used in selected manual transmissions that require a SAE 75W-85 viscosity grade with API GL-5 specifications It can be used to improve shift quality in colder climates where either SAE 75W-90 or SAE 80 API GL-5 oils are specified.
Pro Gear GL-5 75W-85 85 is already dosed with the correct amount of friction additive for use in limited slip differentials, no extra additive is required.

[Discofever]

I have the E-DIFF, and as far as I can tell the oil above is what goes into the TC and DIFFS.

Pro Gear GL-5 75W-85 is a premium full synthetic, API GL-5, SAE 75W-85, differential and transaxle gear oil manufactured with a blend of carefully selected synthetic base oils and purpose designed additives including an enhanced wear protection package to provide excellent load carrying ability and longer service life.
Viscosity



75W-85

Base Oil



Full Synthetic

Used in the following applications:



Differentials
Transaxles
Transfer Cases

Can be used where the following SAE viscosities are recommended:



SAE 80
SAE 75W-90

Application

Pro Gear GL-5 75W-85 is optimised for differentials, both hypoid and limited slip, transfer cases, manual transaxles and gearboxes in late model passenger cars, 4WD's and light commercial vehicles that specifically require the use of an API GL-5, SAE 75W-85 viscosity gear oil.
Pro Gear GL-5 75W-85 is suitable for use where MB 235.7 and ZF TE-ML 18 is specified as well as where VW TL 521 45-X (G 052 145 A1), VW TL 521 90 (G 052 190 A2/G 055 190 A2) is recommended. Pro Gear GL-5 75W-85 may be used in selected manual transmissions that require a SAE 75W-85 viscosity grade with API GL-5 specifications It can be used to improve shift quality in colder climates where either SAE 75W-90 or SAE 80 API GL-5 oils are specified.
Pro Gear GL-5 75W-85 85 is already dosed with the correct amount of friction additive for use in limited slip differentials, no extra additive is required.

This is what I currently have in both diffs.

[Graeme]

The LR specified oil for the e-diff is Castrol BOT720. It's available in 1L bottles and can be purchased either directly from a LR dealer or from LR specialist suppliers such as Karcraft.

[shanegtr]

I use pentrite pro gear 75W-90 in my diffs. You should be fine to use any good quality GL-5 spec gear oil in the normal diffs, the e-diff not sure if a oil with friction modifiers for LSD would be suitable?

[Discofever]

I use pentrite pro gear 75W-90 in my diffs. You should be fine to use any good quality GL-5 spec gear oil in the normal diffs, the e-diff not sure if a oil with friction modifiers for LSD would be suitable?

Penrite Pro Gear GL-5 states it is suitable for LSD applications as well. The GL-4+ Pro Gear is not suitable apparently.

[shanegtr]

Penrite Pro Gear GL-5 states it is suitable for LSD applications as well. The GL-4+ Pro Gear is not suitable apparently.
You dont want to use a GL-4 in any diff, wont cope very well with the sliding that hypoid gears in diffs do, its more of a straight up gear oil more suitable for manual transmissions, traditional transfer cases etc....

I've had a bit of a google search (about 10 mins worth) and castrol syntrax limited slip 75W-140 may be suitable for the e-diff.

[101RRS]

Your looking at thousands of damage if you stuff things up on the basis of some unknown recommending a dodgy oil.

Buy the correct oil - the front diff oil can be sourced in auto shops, the correct transfer case oil is only available from dealers and is a bit expensive but you dont use much. Buy the e-diff oil from the dealer to ensure you get the right stuff.

Despite what Reback says the e diff oil is different to the standard diff oil.

The standard diff is 1.1l of Castrol SAF-XO - 75W/90
The E-Diff is 1.5l of Castrol SAF Carbon Mod Plus

Garry

[PerthDisco]

Your looking at thousands of damage if you stuff things up on the basis of some unknown recommending a dodgy oil.

Buy the correct oil - the front diff oil can be sourced in auto shops, the correct transfer case oil is only available from dealers and is a bit expensive but you dont use much.


Only something like 0.6 litres in diff so not worth getting caught up trying to save $20. Only need to change every 50k or so.

[Discofever]

Your looking at thousands of damage if you stuff things up on the basis of some unknown recommending a dodgy oil.

Buy the correct oil - the front diff oil can be sourced in auto shops, the correct transfer case oil is only available from dealers and is a bit expensive but you dont use much. Buy the e-diff oil from the dealer to ensure you get the right stuff.

Despite what Reback says the e diff oil is different to the standard diff oil.

The standard diff is 1.1l of Castrol SAF-XO - 75W/90
The E-Diff is 1.5l of Castrol SAF Carbon Mod Plus

Garry

I honestly think the worry and stress of it all is 1000x more problematic to my soul than taking it into Les Richmond's and saying change the e-diff and transfer case oil using the recommended specs please.

[101RRS]

I change all my own oils - just source them from the right location.

Engine oil from Supercheap - about $85 for 5 litres
Gearbox oil form Repco (when on sale) $32 litre or in bulk from ZF about $25 a litre.
Diff Oil - from Repco or Supercheap - is a bit harder to find but is there $25 a litre I think
Tfr Case oil - from the dealer - sometimes free if they some for marketing purposes but if you have to buy about $100 litre
Brake fluid - genuine is cheaper at the dealer than after market.
E-Diff - get the correct spec from where you can - ultimately the dealer can supply

Other oils may very well be OK - I keep on getting mixed messages and many have ultimately caused issues. Ultimately personal choice - I prefer to pay a little more for the right oil than have to but a new component.

Garry

[shanegtr]

Your looking at thousands of damage if you stuff things up on the basis of some unknown recommending a dodgy oil.

Buy the correct oil - the front diff oil can be sourced in auto shops, the correct transfer case oil is only available from dealers and is a bit expensive but you dont use much. Buy the e-diff oil from the dealer to ensure you get the right stuff.

Despite what Reback says the e diff oil is different to the standard diff oil.

The standard diff is 1.1l of Castrol SAF-XO - 75W/90
The E-Diff is 1.5l of Castrol SAF Carbon Mod Plus

Garry
Both your recommend diff oil's are not listed on castrol australia's website (I'm not saying its not available in Aus as I live in a regional area with only a real basic autoshop so I can only rely on what I can find online).
So if they are not available retail then you either buy an oil from the dealer or look for an oil that can cross reference with the spec you need. I've personally got no issues with using another lubrication product where it exists, and for me ording oil online is much easier when not dealing with dealers. Plus my disco isnt new anymore.\


Royal Purple recommend Max gear 75W-90 for both normal and e-diff
http://www.royalpurpleconsumer.com/assets/2014_Royal_Purple_Transmission_Lubricant_Cross_Ref erence.pdf

[Graeme]

The standard diff is 1.1l of Castrol SAF-XO - 75W/90This oil has been superseded by Castrol Syntrans Longlife 75W90 which is available from any Castrol distributor or reseller.

[101RRS]

Both your recommend diff oil's are not listed on castrol australia's website (I'm not saying its not available in Aus as I live in a regional area with only a real basic autoshop so I can only rely on what I can find online).
So if they are not available retail then you either buy an oil from the dealer or look for an oil that can cross reference with the spec you need. I've personally got no issues with using another lubrication product where it exists, and for me ording oil online is much easier when not dealing with dealers. Plus my disco isnt new anymore.\


Royal Purple recommend Max gear 75W-90 for both normal and e-diff
http://www.royalpurpleconsumer.com/assets/2014_Royal_Purple_Transmission_Lubricant_Cross_Ref erence.pdf

No worries - as I said it is the owners choice - I would rather pay the dealer a little extra rather have to pay for a new component. There have been two alternatives listed for Lifeguard 6 that have subsequently had the alternative listing removed - same with some other oils.

Owners choice.


This oil has been superseded by Castrol Syntrans Longlife 75W90 which is available from any Castrol distributor or reseller.

Topix still has the original oil listed - maybe superceded by Castrol but it would seem not by LR at this stage.

cheers

Garry

[carlschmid2002]

No idea on the E-diff as I dont have one. But for the transfer case I use Royal Purlple Syncromax. Meets the shell spec. The transfer case contains a clutch pack for the centre diff lockup so requires an oil spec very similar to auto trans oil.

Yep, just google Royal purple to find your nearest stockist. I can't help you with the e-diffas my D3 doesn't have one and I got MR Automotive to do the D4.