Gear Oil for 97 300tdi D90

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JBirc0014 · #1 Post by **JBirc0014** » Fri Mar 19, 2021 6:11 pm

Wondering if anyone has preference or recommendation on gear oil, is there a specific brand or type that best suits the on/off road and weather/geography conditions in lower mainland or BC in general?

I'm going to drain and fill the front/back dif and transfer box this weekend and so far all I came up with was "EP 80w90 hypoid gear oil" from the internet... Rocky Mountain was suggested as local supplier for parts/materials but haven't had luck getting through to anyone. Was also interested to know if anyone has local recommendation for diesel LR mechanic. I've tried Alstair Hesp (moving shops) and Art Van Der Staar (unavailable) so far. I don't want to bite off more than I can chew with the coolant flush and air/oil/filter that is next on list as this is all first time maintenance for me.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or recommendations!

landcrabmechanic · #2 Post by **landcrabmechanic** » Fri Mar 19, 2021 7:48 pm

Get Klondyke lubricants. Available at Napa. Great stuff.

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red90 · #3 Post by **red90** » Sat Mar 20, 2021 5:14 am

It does not matter. Anything will fine for the axles and transfer case. They don’t ever wear. I just buy whatever is on sale in 20 liter pails.

Use a garden sprayer with the nozzle removed to fill.

RobinS · #4 Post by **RobinS** » Sat Mar 20, 2021 5:48 am

Keep in mind that the swivel housings are a separate part to the front diff and need the oil checked . Some use gear oil and some use grease. The housings with a drain plug should have oil . When filling , turn the wheels hard left or right to open the passage inside otherwise it is a very slow fill.

Amadreas · #5 Post by **Amadreas** » Sun Mar 21, 2021 11:08 am

Use the One shot grease for the swivel pins. Far better then oil, and you’ll not need to change it.

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Rob · #6 Post by **Rob** » Sun Mar 21, 2021 1:53 pm

Ditto to what everyone else has said... Often Costco has pails of gear oil at a good price as does Princess Auto or Cdn Tire. I use a small pump designed to fit the 20L pails or 4L jugs but the garden sprayer idea sounds like great option! I take it that you're aware that the transmission uses a different type of fluid than what is used in the transfer case, differentials and hubs? If you're doing it yourself it's worthwhile to invest in a large metal drip tray, some brake cleaner and suitable wiping rags as the Hypoid-style oil is nasty smelling stuff and you're bound to have over-flow as you're filling the various components. For what it's worth, do this work yourself if you can, far cheaper than taking it to a shop and there is a satisfaction in accomplishing the work yourself.

Cheers, Rob

JBirc0014 · #7 Post by **JBirc0014** » Sun Mar 21, 2021 5:24 pm

Thanks for all the advice and tips much appreciated! I'm going to try Costco for the gear oil to do the transfer box and diffs tomorrow, CT only had 1 5L container of 80w90 on shelf. It was suggested that replacing the copper washers on drain plugs at the same time is also a good idea, so I guess I'll try Lordco after Costco as CT couldn't look up size specs...lots to learn here!

JBirc0014 · #8 Post by **JBirc0014** » Tue Mar 23, 2021 12:19 am

Got the front and rear done (no gaskets/washers on either) and have a $1.78 part on order from LR Burrard (gasket for fill/level plug on transfer case which they couldnt tell whether it was copper or rubber on specs 😑) ... but first... I went through Costco, Princess Auto, WalMart, Lordco, and 2 CTs before finding 2×5L 80w90 gear oil... I'm thinking finding a repair manual for this 300tdi might be priority 1 as most of the above weren't able to look up parts or sizes...think I heard "Thats the problem with British cars" at least 4 times 🤣 Anyways... most of the tips actually helped out quite a bit so thanks again! I'm thinking there are going to be a few milk runs like this one in the weeks to come.

red90 · #9 Post by **red90** » Tue Mar 23, 2021 3:17 pm

Just Google. The workshop manuals and part catalogs can be downloaded.

Transfer case fill plug should be the same as the diffs. 1/2” ratchet.

Did you drain and fill the swivels?

JBirc0014 · #10 Post by **JBirc0014** » Tue Mar 23, 2021 7:37 pm

Hey red90 thanks for heads up on site manuals I just downloaded the 97 300tdi. Just glanced at 87 parts catalogue I'm guessing it covers the bases?

Case fill plug looks like same 1/2" but fits flush.. do you know if there is actually a gasket/washer or am I waiting on LR dealership part when all I need is some teflon tape?

I completely blanked on swivels, was too impatient after the running around. I've just taken a couple of pics and trying to compare to youtube to figure out if I'm looking at the one shot grease type or 3 bung ep80 type I think its the oil type... my pic taking is about as advanced as my mechanical knowledge so hopefully you can tell what you're looking at

red90 · #11 Post by **red90** » Wed Mar 24, 2021 4:50 am

The transfer case fill plug is a pipe plug with a tapered thread. No gasket is used.

The 87 catalog goes to 94, which should be okay. They went electronic after that and you are looking for something called microcat. There are some online versions of this if you don't want to install it. It is not really as good as the previous printed manuals, IMO.

You can see the swivel fill plug in your picture (large square drive end plug). I can't see a drain, but the picture is not great and everything is pretty dirty. Looks like you need to do the swivel seals. It would be a good time for a hub overhaul.

JBirc0014 · #12 Post by **JBirc0014** » Wed Mar 24, 2021 3:51 pm

Ok, I'm going to get under there shortly and try to clean everything up (brake cleaner on all of it?) and look for how many plugs. Not sure how dificult doing seals / hub overhaul would be, but I'll take a look for some online video and look in the manual to see just how over my head I am. Thanks for feedback and pointing me in right direction

Rob · #13 Post by **Rob** » Wed Mar 24, 2021 7:19 pm

I thought the 300TDI defenders don't have drain plugs for the swivel housings as Rover changed to one-shot from EP90.

JBirc0014 · #14 Post by **JBirc0014** » Wed Mar 24, 2021 10:57 pm

Rob wrote: Wed Mar 24, 2021 7:19 pm I thought the 300TDI defenders don't have drain plugs for the swivel housings as Rover changed to one-shot from EP90.

I couldn't confirm what year they switched, it was apparently either 96 or 97 but it turns out mine are the one shot...kind of disappointed was looking forward to putting them on same schedule as diffs and case...

JBirc0014 · #15 Post by **JBirc0014** » Wed Mar 24, 2021 11:21 pm

red90 wrote: Wed Mar 24, 2021 4:50 am The transfer case fill plug is a pipe plug with a tapered thread. No gasket is used.

The 87 catalog goes to 94, which should be okay. They went electronic after that and you are looking for something called microcat. There are some online versions of this if you don't want to install it. It is not really as good as the previous printed manuals, IMO.

You can see the swivel fill plug in your picture (large square drive end plug). I can't see a drain, but the picture is not great and everything is pretty dirty. Looks like you need to do the swivel seals. It would be a good time for a hub overhaul.

Transfer case fill plug is confirmed no gasket...the drain however had a little copper washer but it looked good and I used some mylar just to be safe. Happy to report there was little to no ruff on it (pic attached)

That manual is extremely helpful for getting a handle on what the hell I'm looking at very happy I've got a source for info and I think I'm gonna print the whole damn thing.

As for swivel pins and plugs I've attached some before and after L and R and honestly not sure what to make of it other than I'm pretty sure I've got the one shot type. Appeared to be a lot of grease on ball both sides and fairly caked in mud/grease/debris all over. Would definitely appreciate some feedback on pics, at first glance it seems like maybe the grease had worked through (or should it be like that anyway?) I was really sweating once I realized I had drained the front dif without doing the swivels but I'm not much reassured now if I have used brake cleaner to remove what grease remained...

red90 · #16 Post by **red90** » Thu Mar 25, 2021 6:21 pm

Yah. The removal of the drain was a stupid move. There is no way to easily change the grease or even check if it is full of water. Oil was a much better idea for various reasons. The grease was just to help reduce warranty claims. It was harder to leak out. Unfortunately it is no harder to leak in. Stuff leaking in is what causes damage.

I would plan a day to change the swivel seals and hub seals. It will let you inspect everything and get the bearing preloads adjusted. You also get to learn how to work on it all which is priceless.

Use OEM seals. For the hub seal I prefer the earlier style RTC3511 instead of the one you will have.

JBirc0014 · #17 Post by **JBirc0014** » Thu Mar 25, 2021 9:20 pm

I'm thinking the overhaul on hubs is a great opportunity to learn but is beyond my ability (very little) and facilities (none) at this point. I'm probably looking at a couple weeks minimum before I can get it to someone local (that hopefully doesnt mind me over their shoulder getting my hands dirty and learning) but I dont want to damage or complicate problem more than I already have, so is it possible to get a bag of one shot and kind of top off whats in there in meantime? I'm wondering if the new grease might push out some of the old more viscous stuff and allow me to use the truck (minimal distances) until I can get someone who knows what they are doing in there to take a look...

red90 · #18 Post by **red90** » Fri Mar 26, 2021 5:14 am

It is not a panic. It has probably been like that for many years.

JBirc0014 · #19 Post by **JBirc0014** » Fri Mar 26, 2021 12:13 pm

Good to know, I was wondering if I might not have created a bigger problem than I fixed!

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