Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Rear Axle oil change

Good evening gentlemen

1999 4/4 2 seater with Zetec 1.8 engine

I am planing to changing my back axle oil. The axle is a BTR with part number MRA 002. I read somewhere that due to a labelling error a few 4/4's were fitted with an LS axle by mistake. I jacked the car and checked that if I turn one wheel the other rotates in the opposite direction so I think this is a non LS axle.

According to MMC the oil to use is Morris lubrication Lodexol XFS 80W-140 Limited slip Differential Oil. They say that this oil is also suitable for non LS axles. A dealer said they use Castrol Transmax Limited Slip 75W-140 also saying this was suitable for non LS axles.
I would value any comments about the suitability of these oils for non LS.

Also, looking at a photo on Gomog of the drain plug bolt, it has what looks like an aluminium sealing washer, is that correct and is it reusable? If it needs changing what size is it and where would I obtain one from? Is there any sealing washer fitted to the filler plug and again if so does it have to be changed and if so what size and where from ?

Regards Tony

The BTR axle on my car has a hex socket filler plug with what appears to be a taper thread so no washer needed. I needed an L shaped allen key with short shaft as not enough clearance between axle casing and fuel tank for socket type. A ring spanner on longer shaft provided the extra leverage.

Removal of the filler plug followed by the drain plug will give you the washer size(s) if any.

Wouldn’t recommend reusing a sealing washer.

IMHO any off-the-shelf annealed copper washer of suitable size would do.

Check for leaks after a short run.

If you come from Yorkshire you re-anneal the existing one, always a perfect fit

There wasn't one on my drain plug so I added a copper washer.

I thought if you turned one wheel and the other turned in the opposite direction you did have a LSD ?

Other way round - an LSD should spin both wheels in the same direction.

Zach, Castrol transmax 75w-140 LS is my choice now. Far more modern than the Lodexol with greater anti wear properties. I have been running this for almost 4 years now and am very pleased. I also run transmax in the gearbox which includes smooth change properties. Engine, I use millers CFS nano tec ++, It's about as good as you'll get.

Two types of BTR axle fill drain plugs but as Richard said limited space against the fuel tank for filling. You can get stubby socket bits on the bay which are really cheap and adequate for an occasional user. If using a tube off the bottle it's easier to fill from the top but a cheap oil specific syringe is a good option. I use this from underneath as I have a lift but used to do the same using axle stands.

With you there cooperman, if it's undamaged anneal and go! For those who don't know how to do this. Heat it up to red hot and plunge into cold water. now re softened to accept a compression fit.

Just been under the Land Rover all morning with one of these topping up the multitude of transmission box's and diff's. Would be ideal for filling your rear axle from underneath which better allows you to see when it's full as you're pumping upwards.