Transfer Box - Unwanted Surprise

[MITCHF]

Had my new(to me) T2 2.7TDi Manual into my regular garage yesterday.
Just getting the gearbox and diff oils replaced, just preventative care.
Picked up last night and got an unwanted surprise.
The mechanic showed me some metal fragments that where on the magnetic plug on the Transfer box
The look like they good be from a bearing cage, possibly:nenau

It drives fine, changes gear fine, no whine or knock.
4H & L work and select OK.
Something has started or has broken down but not yet causing a problem.

I am really pleased with my T2 in every way so don't want rid, so we agreed to run and see. (If it aint broke don't fix it, sort of )

Any thoughts or experience ?

 

[solarman216]

got a transfer box if you need it, expect several others will have as well, maybe nearer to you as it is a heavy lump, Rick

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

if it ain't actually broken don't worry to much - out of interest I hope you got GL4 oil in your gearbox, no mater what the mechanic says GL5 will wreck it!

 

[96terrano]

yup, gl5 is a big no no

 

[glanrichbex]

Yep - just to add to to that .....DO NOT USE GL5 IN YOUR GEAR BOX!!!!

Just found a receipt from a garage who I asked to check all my oils and they topped my gearbox up with GL5.

Over the next 18months it died :banghead

 

[solarman216]

My mind has gone, please tell me what all this GL4 GL5 stuff is all about, I cannot cope with all these numbers, Rick

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

My mind has gone, please tell me what all this GL4 GL5 stuff is all about, I cannot cope with all these numbers, Rick

GL5 is the most commonly used gear box ol, it contains a lot of sulphur as a lubricant - hence the smell - sulphur wrecks yellow metal components in gearboxes.

T2 gearboxes specifically need GL4 - as stated in the manual.

It is a common missconception that GL5 is better than GL4 (as in dot 3 and 4 brake fluid) it isn't , it is just different.

I firmly believe that the majority of T2 gearbox failures are the result of this, so not weak gearboxes, just ill informed garage staff and owners.

was that any help?

 

[solarman216]

GL5 is the most commonly used gear box ol, it contains a lot of sulphur as a lubricant - hence the smell - sulphur wrecks yellow metal components in gearboxes.

T2 gearboxes specifically need GL4 - as stated in the manual.

It is a common missconception that GL5 is better than GL4 (as in dot 3 and 4 brake fluid) it isn't , it is just different.

I firmly believe that the majority of T2 gearbox failures are the result of this, so not weak gearboxes, just ill informed garage staff and owners.

was that any help?

Yes a great deal, did not know about the "sulphur" and its effect on yellow metal, I will try and remember where will put the note I write on this, Rick

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

This isn't just hearsay or something heard by the way, I did do a fair bit of research on the interweb and then followed it up with conversations with service centre managers and trade oil suppliers. Interesting that high end modern cars including Mazda and volvo are turning back to GL4 gear oil and mineral straight grade engine oils.

 

[MITCHF]

Transfer

I have two issues after today
My garage used GL5 (as recommended by Nissan website that he checked), so back in next week to get it drained and GL4 used.

Now, back to the transfer box, did I say it selects 4L & 4H with no problem!
Went out shooting tonight, had to get through a few patches of the sloppy stuff , selected 4H, dash light engaged, then a as I started to move "big thud" as the x4 engaged. Like sticking a car in gear with no clutch. (bllx, that'll be the transfer box)
Drives and pulls in x4 Ok and de-selects back to 2w, but that bang has to be down to the metal bits I found when the box oil was changed.

Anyone got a decent Transfer box for a 98 T2 2.7tdi manual swb ?:banghead

 

[Fez_uk]

the big thud will be the auto hubs engaging.

Don't give it too much beans when first in 4wd when your hubs are in free wheel mode and in mud.

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

the big thud will be the auto hubs engaging.

Don't give it too much beans when first in 4wd when your hubs are in free wheel mode and in mud.

yep, the lsd can also casue quite a thud as drive is locked, especialy if the oil in the rear diff needs changing!
check the comma web site for appropriate oil grades!

 

[MITCHF]

yep, the lsd can also casue quite a thud as drive is locked, especialy if the oil in the rear diff needs changing!
check the comma web site for appropriate oil grades!

As per original post mate, just had the diff oil changed, that's when we found the metal "bits" in the T box :thumbs

 

[geoffdown]

As per original post mate, just had the diff oil changed, that's when we found the metal "bits" in the T box :thumbs

Yes but did the garage put the right oil in seams they put gl5 gearbox oil in should by lsd 90w :thumbs

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

Yes but did the garage put the right oil in seams they put gl5 gearbox oil in should by lsd 90w :thumbs

yep, must be LS ( limited slip) diff oil, another common garage mistake!

 

[wildbri]

Sorry boys but the transfer box dosent use gear oil. My book says four pints of Dexron oil which is what is in my box. As I understnd it this box uses Chains not gears and the thin oil is suitable for this as it don't cause drag in cold climates which would cause the front hubs to lock in. Regards. Bri

Ps the clonk will be the hubs as stated, release the clutch more gentley when first using 4 wd.

 

[Fez_uk]

Yes but did the garage put the right oil in seams they put gl5 gearbox oil in should by lsd 90w :thumbs

no, they put gl5 in his gearbox.

People need to go back and read the thread properly :thumbs

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

Sorry boys but the transfer box dosent use gear oil. My book says four pints of Dexron oil which is what is in my box. As I understnd it this box uses Chains not gears and the thin oil is suitable for this as it don't cause drag in cold climates which would cause the front hubs to lock in. Regards. Bri

Ps the clonk will be the hubs as stated, release the clutch more gentley when first using 4 wd.

yep, we were discussing the gear box oil rather than the transfer box! My TERRANO OWNERS MANUAL says "TRANSFER GEAR OIL API GL4 (75W 90 0R 80W 90)"

 

[geoffdown]

no, they put gl5 in his gearbox.

People need to go back and read the thread properly :thumbs

I was refering to if they put gl5 in gearbox then they could of put the wrong oil in reat diff i didrad the other post just didnt put it in writting the right way:thumbs

 

[solarman216]

yep, we were discussing the gear box oil rather than the transfer box! My TERRANO OWNERS MANUAL says "TRANSFER GEAR OIL API GL4 (75W 90 0R 80W 90)"

Confusing re the transfer box oil, my manual dated 1995 states transfer box 4 pints Dexron, same as power steering, Rick