Correct oil for Rover Diffs ?

[JohnboyLandy]

Hi Folks,

Since you can't seem to get 90 EP Hypoid Oil, I was wondering if this stuff shown in the pic is suitable ?
139534

Thanks
John

[JDNSW]

I believe it would be OK. The Rover diff is not hypoid, but does have spiral gears, so the lubrication properties should be far more than needed. There have been suggestions that some modern oils are not satisfactory because they tend to corrode yellow metal, but I think this applies to the gearbox and transfer case rather than the axles.

[gromit]

Drop the Castrol technical guys an email and ask them.

There is sometimes a problem as JDNSW mentions of later EP additives damaging yellow metals (phosphor bronze etc.). This would be the bushes & syncro rings in a series box.
a GL4 spec oil will be OK and a GL5 might be, again worth checking with the companies technical guys.

You may struggle to get a GL4 spec EP gear oil from the usual suspects (Supercheap, Autobarn etc.) and may have to go to a specialist supplier or to an oil blender.

The oil you've shown is GL5.


Colin

[rick130]

Yes, that oil will be fine.
Regardless of the Rover diff being a spiral bevel design, only use a GL5 spec oil in the diffs.

It's what Land Rover specs anyway.

There aren't any bronze/brass/yellow metal bits in the diff, and most modern GL5 oils have the sulphur/phosphorous additive package 'buffered' anyway.
If in doubt, look for the copper corrosion number, most GL5's are rated 1b, which means yellow metal safe, minimal discolouration.

[JohnboyLandy]

Thanks everyone, I am going with the Castrol oil in the pic !!

Cheers,
John

[rick130]

Just don't use it on your gearbox or t/case. ;)

[Robmacca]

Just don't use it on your gearbox or t/case. ;)

Why not the TC?

[rick130]

Why not the TC?It's a Series and I'm not sure what, if any bronze bits are in there, although if it's a buffered GL5 it should be fine.
It just might be easier to use the same GL4 or borate based GL5 in both.

In an LT230, go for it, I prefer it due to the higher EP additive levels.

Something I didn't mention before as it can get confusing, but borate based GL5 diff fluids aren't yellow metal active.
Caltex have a great range of them, particularly in their Delo range, and Penrite make one but it's a bit heavy, being an 80W-110

[whitehillbilly64]

Try you local tractor supplier
They will probably have GL4
Fact or fiction ????
I would love to build two brand new gearboxes, run one with GL4, the other with GL5, and see what happens.
If we add the GL5 to an already worn gearbox, it would wear quicker anyway !!!!
Of course, I am very new to Land Rovers, unlike many of the very smart, valid members on this Forum, with many years experience.
so if I got an old yellow metal bush and put it in GL5, what would happen, or is there more at play.
I had a lot of brass bits in Gilberts gearbox, result of the one piece 2nd and 3rd speed main bush breaking in half, and wearing against each other.
Cant get my head around this, yet.
Got a really good price on this, from Repco.
MILD EP GEAR OIL SAE 110 | Penrite Oil (https://www.penriteoil.com.au/products/mild-ep-gear-oil-sae-110)
Gearbox and Transfer case, Tractor stuff in everything else
TRACTOR TRANSMISSION & HYDRAULIC OIL | Penrite Oil (https://www.penriteoil.com.au/products/tractor-transmission-hydraulic-oil)

whitehillbilly

[gromit]

When you consider the cost and or time to rebuild a gearbox it isn't worth the risk.
Difficult to find physical examples of the damage caused but when some companies list their GL5 as 'yellow metal safe' it highlights that some GL5's may cause problems.

It seems that high sulphur GL5 can cause pitting of yellow metals which in our case would affect mainly the synchro rings

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/04/838.jpg


I buy gear oil through a 'blender' rather than the usual suspects. They will supply GL4 and the price is considerably cheaper than the big name brands.

Colin

[whitehillbilly64]

Hi Colin,
you have talked about 'bender' oil before.
Where might one of these be up in the Tweed area ????

whitehillbilly

[gromit]

Hi Colin,
you have talked about 'bender' oil before.
Where might one of these be up in the Tweed area ????

whitehillbilly

Blender..... A company that blends oil.

Talking to the owner of the one I use there isn't much in the way of 'rocket science' involved.
They buy in a base oil in bulk and additive packs from a supplier and mix them together. The clever part is the additive pack that turns it into a 20W50 for example or an 75W90 GL4 etc. etc.
I can think of two or three others I drive past locally so it's just a case of googling.

Because they don't have huge advertising budgets they can often be lot cheaper than the big name brands through resellers like Supercheap, Autobarn etc.

I guess you'll mainly find them in major towns/industrial areas
Prolube Lubricants - Diesel Engine Oils, Gear Oils, Hydraulic Oils, Greases (https://prolube.com.au/)
Synforce - Precision Blended Lubricants | Synforce Lubricants (https://www.synforce.com.au/)
http://www.royallubricants.com.au/contact-us/#

I cannot recommend any of the above and don't know their pricing but it's a starting point.
I did look at my local blender supplying & shipping but the shipping made the product as expensive as a big name brand through a reseller.

Colin