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How often should you replace gearbox oil, if at all?

27K views 50 replies 19 participants last post by  scottyf 
#1 ·
Hi guys in the service schedule it says only to check the level of the gearbox oil at around 50k miles and 100k. I'd have thought you should replace it at least once in the cars lifetime though ? Mine's done 65k and I'm thinking of changing the gearbox oil when I give it a service at the weekend
 
#3 ·
It wont do it any harm to change it and a good idea every few years or 40k.
Make sure you use the right spec though, many cars use a gl4 spec oil but a lot of multipurpose gear oils are gl5 which can be too slippery for the syncros to work properly.
And as ever when changing gear oiul make sure you can get the new oil in before draining the old oil out
 
#4 ·
I change mine every 36K - usually when doing a cambelt or three years

Gearbox oil tends to be the forgotten oil. But you'd be amazed at how much difference it makes.
Also getting the swarf out the box reduces wear too.

Box becomes more slick usually espcially if its old oil.



Same goes for the power steering fluid. If its old although it works its not as smooth or light.
 
#11 ·
No more difficult than doing a oil and filter change.

Depends on engine but all should prove hassle free really on the basic maintenance.
Use the correct spec weight oil. Tends to be thick stuff for gearboxes.
 
#12 ·
I changed the gear and diff oil in my MX-5 the other week and 2 things i'd say,1 its was well over due as the gear change is not only a lot better now but it actually feels a little quicker, maybe that's placebo caused by the better gear changes and 2 it was a breeze using a large 500ml oil syringe.
The same one I used to suck the fluid out of the power steering and replaced it did it a few times now its nice and clear ;)
 
#16 ·
Thanks guys, and thanks oilman I'll have a look into them. I serviced the car today and tried to see where the oil filler plug was, but I coudn't find it. There was two allen key plugs on the bottom of the gearbox, one directly on the bottom facing downwards, and one more towards the back almost parallel with the sump drain plug. Which is the right one ? And where is the filler plug!!?
 
G
#19 ·
Power steering fluid change is next on my list.

From what I've gleaned changing goes like this.

Empty the reservoir.
Disconnect the thinner tube.
Put thinner tube into a scrap container,
Bung the hole in the reservoir where the thin pipe went.
Fill the reservoir with new fluid.
Turn the steering lock to lock. The old fluid should come out of the thin tube.
Keep filling the reservoir until new looking fluid comes through the thin pipe.
I think it tKes 1 1/2 to 2 litres to do.


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#20 ·
Thanks :thumbs:

With the gearbox oil, i managed to take a couple of photo's of the two drain plugs. Which is the right one to drain ? And when filling it I have found where the filler cap is but it looks pretty tricky to get too! Looks like I'll have to remove the battery and tray but it still looks very hard to get too, any ideas other than a hose of somesort ?
 

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