How to - Diff & Gear box Oil change ?

[Andy JB]

The bible doesn't cover how to complete these changes (96 500).
Can anyone offer any advise or experience of how to do these.
On a previous sports car it was dead easy having a drain & fill hole on both diff & gearbox. Is it the same on a Chim ? any hints or tips or is it straightforward ?
Any recommendations on better oils?
Thanks

[andy11]

Hi Andy, Only have experience of changing the diff oil but if it is a GKN diff it will have a fill and drain plug. The drain plug should be on the bottom and the fill plug is on the end at the back, this is the difficult bit, very awkward to get at(has a 1/2" square hole in it) but once out you have the problem of getting the oil in. I bought a hand syphon pump for this from a pound shop and it worked a treat, just fill it up until it comes out the fill plug. Well worth doing it has quietened the diff down.

[Andy JB]

Thanks - can you tell me what oil you used ? or does it depend on the diff

[andy11]

mobil SHC 80W-140 obtained from TVR power, not sure if its different for each diff, wouldn't have thought so though.

[shpub]

andy11 said:

mobil SHC 80W-140 obtained from TVR power, not sure if its different for each diff, wouldn't have thought so though.

It is different for each diff. BTR use a diiferent oil to GKN.

[Andy JB]

How can i tell which diff version i have other than its a 96 500 ?

[jonnyb]

Do you know the date of manufacture as it could be either? 96-97 was the change over. Mines May 1996 and has a GKN diff. It has lots of fins on the back of it. It shows a piccy in the bible.

[Andy JB]

Its difficult to be exact in that my car was a works model starting life in Hong Kong so although i know its a round 1996 I cannot be certain unless of course the chassis nos shows this?

[jonnyb]

There are two things you can do: Jack the car up and have a look at the diff with the piccys out of the bible, or phone the factory with the chassis number and they would be able to tell you which fitted it.

But if its just the oil type your after then it will say on a metal plate riveted to the body under the bonnet. The chances are it will say a Mobil oil but any good quality equivalent will do.