Gearbox oil

vma · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 3:57 pm Post subject: Gearbox oil

Hi
Can anyone tell me what oil is the best to use in the gearbox and
tc.Some recommend gl4 others gl5.

gadgetboy · Off-Road Guru Joined: 03 Sep 2005 Odometer: 1559

GL5 is what Lada specify for the gearbox, transfer case and diffs. Don't forget to overfill the gearbox with an extra 500ml.

jbuzz · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 8:14 pm Post subject:

Yes GL5 IS the reccommended lubricant for the drivetrain in general, gearbox, transfer box, front and rear diffs, according to the owners manual. However there has been some at length topics of debate about the suitability of GL5 in gearbox applications. With its high sulphur and phosphorous compounds for shear stress management in high load areas such as hypoid axles it can attack various yellow metals - the kind found in syncro hubs, baulk rings etc of gearboxes. There are people out there who will only use GL4 in gearboxes and leave the GL5 specifically to the differential axles. And have had no problems in doing so. Entirely personal choice me thinks, (I use GL4 in gearbox, GL5 in diffs TX box and, until it started leaking, steering box)

baxter · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 11:32 pm Post subject:

As far as I can make out using translation engines Autovaz in Russia retracted the GL5 recommendation sometime in the '80s and recommend GL4 for the 'box and TC, for exactly the reason above (http://www.slavneft-masla.ru/about/29/).

All the Russian oil distributors and Lada forums I goolged also reccomend GL4. For diffs and steering box GL5 is fine, indeed reccomended. But no no no to GL5 in the gearbox.

The oil reccomended by Andy from the Ozzie Lada parts place is also a GL4.

Castrol also advise people not to use GL5 in older 'boxes with yellow metals; eg like the Niva's (http://www.britishsportscars.nl/Castrol%20Classic%20Oils.htm).

I can also personally testify that after running a GL5 in mine the oil was very bronzy when I changed it. Sad

Bear in mind some GL5s are not that high in sulphur, so undoubtedly some people have run GL5 for years in their Lada 'boxes without issue. But unless you know the GL5 you're getting is safe for yellow metals, I'd shy right away - GL4 only for the gearbox.

PS - GB's quite right about the overfill - essential and pretty easy, instructions here: http://www12.asphost4free.com/baxdesign/resources/GearboxTopUp.htm
BTW, if you're new to Nivas you should visit GB's site and get a copy of the manual.

EDIT: Please note my site has shifted to address in the signature below.

gadgetboy · Off-Road Guru Joined: 03 Sep 2005 Odometer: 1559

Yes. The 2003 manual which recommends GL5.

What's in this can?

Oh look! Worms!

baxter · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 12:13 am Post subject:

gadgetboy · Off-Road Guru Joined: 03 Sep 2005 Odometer: 1559

Mine's a '96 with 40'000kms and GL5 in a faultless gearbox.

They started specifying GL5 with the 5-speed box. It's a personal thing ultimately. Modern GL5's are much less corrosive to phosphor bronze alloys. I have GL5 in mine and I'll stick to it.

baxter · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 12:34 am Post subject:

Tovarish · Gate Opener Joined: 08 Dec 2007 Odometer: 5

Hi guys. Although AutoVAZ recommends for both gear box and axels GL5 it`s known it causes probs with bronze synchronisers thats why GL 4/5 was used instead , modern cars of the same model 21214 got brass synchronisers and for this reason can use GL 5 w/out any problems but if you put GL 4 into gear box reductor (hope it`s same in English) will eventually go..It`s according to Aler, who`s admin on Russian NIVA 4x4 forum Here`s link:

http://www.niva4x4.ru/viewtopic.php?t=8293&...=asc&start=15

PS I hope this is helpful.

baxter · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 1:30 am Post subject:

gadgetboy · Off-Road Guru Joined: 03 Sep 2005 Odometer: 1559

THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS HYPOID OIL! Shocked

baxter · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 2:06 am Post subject:

gadgetboy · Off-Road Guru Joined: 03 Sep 2005 Odometer: 1559

The transfer case has hypoid gears in it.

We could go on for hours - nay years.

I say GL5. You say GL4. None of this helps VMA, the original poster.

Let's apply science and logic. Lada only recommend GL5 for the mythical 5-speed box. I suspect this recommendation is, in part, because they can recommend the same oil for everything.

If you don't mind buying different oils for different things then go for GL4 in the gearbox. Lubrication-wise GL5 and GL4 are the same. GL5 is a lot more robust in nasty environments. The Lada gearbox is not particularly nasty. However, you must use GL5 in the transfer case and both diffs.

baxter · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 3:01 am Post subject:

vma · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 2:09 pm Post subject: Oil

Hi all

Thanx for all the responses.I think I'll use The GL4 in the gearbox and GL5 in the diffs and transfer case.I will give it a try and see how it works.

Tovarish · Gate Opener Joined: 08 Dec 2007 Odometer: 5

I can tell you that КПП means gear box in russian, but I`m not sure from which year the brass starts since it`s not mentioned but Aler-the-Admin got 21214, 2003 model so i suppose somewhere in or around that time....

baxter · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 10:05 pm Post subject:

Cheers greatly for that Tovarish,

I guess we can now translate the text as:
GL5 can not be used due because the bronze alloy synchronizers crumble under the influence of additives in GL5.
But the "classic" gearbox has brass alloy synchronizers, and is not harmed by GL5, ie in the "classic" gearbox you can use GL4, GL4 / 5 or GL5.

Now to find out which boxes had which syncros.

EDIT: Andy's parts manual has the same part number for all 4 and 5 speed syncros up to 2000.

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