Question about rear axle oil for mgb

[seb72]

Good morning all,

A quick presentation:
I'm french, and recent owner of a 1980 MGB GT.
The car runs great,it's black inside and out.

I made a change of motor and gearbox oil, and I now planed to change the rear axle oil.

But, I've a question.
I bought a bottle of Castrol SYNTRANS MULTIVEHICLE 75W90 (it was the only GL4 I found), and I wonder if it will be OK for rear axle, as the notice specify "transmision oil".
I'm not sure if this oil is compatible with EP90 spécification, and I'm a bit scarred about making a mistake and I want to be sure not to damage the axle.

Thanks in advance for your advices....an sorry for my english.

Seb

[nta16]

no you've bought the gearbox oil

GL4 spec oil is recommend for the gearboxes but the more modern GL5 is considered fine for the diffs and if you get mineral 80w/90 it'll be GL5 too

you want Castrol Syntrax Longlife 75w/90 Fully Synthetic it will be longer lasting and the multigrade more useful for cold weather use

changing the rear axle oil is often forgotten about but it is a good ideal to change it say every 3-5 or longer if using the fully synthetic oil, some people using the mineral oil change every year to reduce axle whine

if you want to join the old f*rt or more traditional classic car owners then you could just buy the mineral EP90 oil

Edited by nta16 on Friday 13th June 12:06

[seb72]

Thanks for the answer.
I will go to change my bottle this evening.

regards

SEb

[nta16]

it's good to hear of a new owner changing fluids

the gearbox oil in yours is engine oil which wears fast than gear oil so MG had the service oil change for the gearbox at 24-months or 24k-miles whichever is the sooner, at the same time you should clean the overdrive filter

don't forget the very important brake fluid change every 24 months

and the important cooling/antifreeze change every 24 months, the cooling elements of which wear out before the antifreeze elements

I always suggest in a car that's new to you that you do a staggered 36k-mile service/check-up in between regularly driving the car on reasonable length journeys that way the servicing will help find and prevent problems and the regular driving will help find niggles and keep the car in good condition and for you to learn how well the car could and should go and how to drive it the way it was designed for, in a spirited manner

and regular use of the car on reasonable length journeys all year around and regular servicing, along with maintenance and repairs, will help to keep the car running well and reliable

best book for a new owner is the Driver's Handbook - (Ref: 0053) - http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue...

you can also get a DVD that includes original Parts Catalogues, Parts Fiches, Workshop Manuals and owners Handbooks to have in electronic format –
http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-GRID012800

for lots of excellent information there are John Twist videos - http://www.youtube.com/user/Universitymotorsltd#g/...

for lots of MGB info Paul Hunt's excellent web site mgb-stuff (Spanners section) - http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/hammertext.htm

below a sample of what's in a copy of the Driver's Handbook -

Edited by nta16 on Friday 13th June 23:43

[seb72]

I already known (and use) the documents specified in yours links.

I replace engine and gearbox oils last month as the coolant.
The rear axle oil change will be the last thing I gonna do myself.
Regarding the brake fluid, I prefer asking my mechanic to do it.

Thanks for your advice.

[nta16]

great stuff

the John Twist vids can help with servicing, maintenance and repairs and Paul's web site particularly with repairs

I'm the same as you I (now) do the easy stuff like oil changes myself but leave the important stuff like brakes to professionals

good luck