Thread: Isuzu MSA Gearbox to LT230

Originally Posted by Vern

Will be the same set up as a zf auto

Understand that, but the drive and overrun on the output is much smoother on an auto than those created by a manual behind a 4BD1-T.

It's not going to stop me getting the one I ordered, but will have to be considered in the ongoing maintenance schedule.

I have heard about a mod on the Defender Getrag MT82 box where there were 2 diametrically opposed grease nipples on the shaft which can be greased through a hole in the housing.

How does a zf shaft get lubricated?
I can't see how these new shafts won't be getting some kind of oil in the splines

I've not yet taken a zf to pieces. Workshop manual seems to indicate the output shaft rises out of a planetary gear set and (from my experience) the unsupported shaft is quite wobbly, has a lot of play. Onto the end of the shaft is bolted the spud shaft, the sae10 end of the spud protrudes into the transfer case and and gets support from the input gear bearings, getting rid of the wobble.

The spud shafts on my zfs, that I've pulled off and inspected (4 of them) don't seem to get lubed at the gearbox end, only the sae10 end. I was thinking along Steveg lines, the spud shaft being bolted and pressed home to where the splines start to dissolve means movement is highly restricted. Its the free to move sae10 end that gives trouble, particularly in manual boxes. As Lotsa indicates autos tend to buffer, but I think the benefit is mainly to the sae10 side of things.

Sooo how does the factory isuzu output flange get lubed?? Exactly the same way as sheldons adapter shaft will

When I took the original truck drive flange off my msa (held in place by a nut) I got the impressing than it does not get lubed. There was just a little bit of oil in the bottom of the cover we all throw away, presumably having leaked past the final bearing seal. Was that other peoples experiences?

I'm guessing that Sheldon's spud being held on by a bolt should not need lube, but an initial dab won't hurt is my guess. Sheldon will advise.

Need to see what size retaining bolt is to be used on Sheldon's spud, to see if it requires the same securing torque as the original drive flange nut - would that matter? The bolt holding the zf is quite small in cross section 10-12 mm?

Lotza, re the Getrag MT82 dual nipples - do they lube a joint that is fixed together by a bolt or a free joint. What have you ordered?

Originally Posted by workingonit

Lotza, re the Getrag MT82 dual nipples - do they lube a joint that is fixed together by a bolt or a free joint. What have you ordered?

This seems to be the best option for the MT82
Ashcroft Transmissions

Hi Guys
I don't want to turn this into a slinging match.

I understand the issues of a dry joint and the original uni-joint flange. Why do you think Isuzu sell replacement flanges? Because of wear in the spline in a situation where replacement is a relatively quick repair. In our cases the adapter shafts are a small run orphan parts, where you have to uncouple the LT230 from the gearbox and then remove the adapter shaft from the mainshaft to lubricate and then reverse the process. I would prefer a lubricated shaft or a quick lube process.

Re the Getrag adapter, there are many reports of failure with dry joints, some with only a little over 20K on the clock. It is why Ashcrofts have made their lube kit. Yes the Isuzu adapter spline is about twice as long and has larger teeth on the spline compared to the MT82 although the MT82 adapter has a larger diameter reducing some of the difference.

Without the shaft running in oil or something like the Ashcrofts kit, I would prefer the idea of the cross drilled adapter shaft with a balanced pair of grease nipples, maybe with a corresponding greaseway/groove around the mainshaft and a hole in the adaptor housing so I can grease the shaft in a lubrication schedule every 20K-50K or something.

Its just something so we can maintain our toys in the long term. As I mentioned a personal preference which others may consider unnecessary. Their preference.