IRD Oil Change.

[Cliff]

For the 2000 L series Freelander - my Haynes Manual says to check and top up (if necessary) the Intermediate Reduction Drive Unit oil level but it doesn't seem to say to ever change the oil. I don't have the vehicle here at present - but wondering is there a drain plug on the IRD and if so should I be changing the oil rather than just topping up?
Many many thanks for this great site.
Cliff.
2000 L Series Freelander (daughter's)
Series 11A 1965
95 Discovery.

[101RRS]

When designing the Freelander, the designers in their wisdom (or lack of) decided that oil technology had progressed to the point that it did not ever need to be replaced in items such as diffs, gearboxes and the IRD. Hmm not a good idea - I replace mine every 40,000km and top up at every 20,000 if there is not obvious weeps or leaks - more often if there is a leak.

There is a drain plug on the bottom of the IRD and the filler is a bit obscured halfway up the housing at the rear of the IRD.

Place the car on level ground and fill the IRD through the filler until it runs out - you will need a pump of some kind or a long pipe to fill it up from above.

Garry

[Jojo]

Thanks for your advice, Garry! Do you know, by any chance, the amount of oil that the IRD needs to be filled with?

Cheers

[101RRS]

1.1 litres

[Cliff]

Hey Garry - thanks a million. Unbelievable to me to think that oil will keep clean and lubricating for the life of the vehicle! Thanks for your helpful advice. I'll do it!
Cliff.

[Cliff]

Hey again Garry - another thought .... seems to be the same story with the final drive unit (rear diff) - but no drain plug apparent on the rear diff ? :-(
Cliff.

[101RRS]

Hey again Garry - another thought .... seems to be the same story with the final drive unit (rear diff) - but no drain plug apparent on the rear diff ? :-(
Cliff.

Yep - again the rear diff is fitted for life - top up only :( and as such they did not fit a drain plug only a filler. You need to suck the oil out through the filler hole and refill there as well.

Garry

[Ausfree]

I am going to do the same thing as the above poster, that is change the oil in the IRD and the rear diff, what oil is recommended, just a normal EP 90 or something similiar???:)

[woko]

I have fitted a drain plug to my rear diff, as i was sick of removing the rear plate. You can suck it out but it doesn't drain it all. There is a large flat section on the bottom of the rear diff. I have fitted a 1/4 BSP plug to it.

oils for rear diff are 80w/90, 0.75 liters and IRD are 75w90, 1.1 liters. Both should be synthetic, But I run a normal mineral oil and change every 40K.