ChrisGamlin
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| posted on 6/4/04 at 11:55 AM |
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Live axle oil spec info
Hi all
I thought Id post up an important tit-bit of info for people using a live axle that I nearly missed when refilling mine after putting in a new
diff:
As posted on the BEC list, my question....
I bought some Comma 80/90 GL4 gear oil for my Escort rear axle (with Quaife ATB). It says on the bottle that its suitable for gearboxes and bevel /
double reduction back axles too so I just whacked it in. Later on I was rummaging through the garage and found half a litre of the oil Id used before,
and although it was the same 80/90 rating, it was GL5 "hypoid light" rather than the GL4 Ive put in. Whilst I was in Halfords over the
weekend I had a quick look in their listings to see what was recommended and sure enough they recommended the GL5 stuff.
I think the GL rating is related to the oil's ability to resist shear forces etc but the question is do believe Halfords and drain out the Comma
stuff, or will it be OK?
Answer from Gavin (@ Redline Oil)
You are right. Rear axle oil must definitely be API GL-5.
Very few right angle drives - which load up the gear teeth far more than a regular gear train - can cope with GL-4 spec oil.
Very naughty of Comma - a long time since anyone has been using bevel gear cuts on diffs (VW & Audi aside)
I am afraid you will have to drain the diff.
Gavin
I usually hang around in the BEC section but thought Id post it here as its more of a general issue that might save someone a diff rebuild!
cheers
Chris
[Edited on 6/4/04 by ChrisGamlin]
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flyingkiwi
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| posted on 6/4/04 at 12:26 PM |
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good timing fella! off to halfords I will go - armed with the right stuff to get.
Cheers
Chris
It Runs!!!!! Bring on the SVA!
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britishtrident
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| posted on 6/4/04 at 05:13 PM |
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It MUST be a hypoid oil normally anything in the ep70 to ep90 range -- the "ep" denotes extreme pressure ie suitable for Hypoid
Gears.
Pairs of hypoid gears have a sliding contact which makes the lubrication film between them thinner hence the need for more ep additive in the oil.
The non-ep grade oil was a gearbox oil --- ep additives can kill gearboxes with phosphur-bronze baulk rings and bushes.
[Edited on 6/4/04 by britishtrident]
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ChrisGamlin
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| posted on 6/4/04 at 08:54 PM |
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Yup, the thing is that on their website Comma claim the oil I got is suitable for back axles including hypoid geared rear axles, although it makes a
disclaimer with words to the effect of "where GL4 is specified".
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britishtrident
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| posted on 6/4/04 at 09:23 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by ChrisGamlin
Yup, the thing is that on their website Comma claim the oil I got is suitable for back axles including hypoid geared rear axles, although it makes a
disclaimer with words to the effect of "where GL4 is specified".
Not all axles are hypoid some trucks and classic cars are spiral bevel
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ChrisGamlin
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| posted on 7/4/04 at 11:12 AM |
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Yup, but what I was saying is that on the Comma website it actually says it IS suitable for hypoid axles as well as bevel etc, tho strangely it doesnt
mention hypoid on the bottle itself.
Anyway Im glad I learnt the lesson beforehand, I dont fancy wrecking the brand new Quaife ATB Ive just put in after 2 years of struggling on track
without an LSD!
cheers
Chris
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