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MG MGB Technical - Rear Axle oil change

I've just changed the rear axle oil on my 76. I put Comma EP80w-90 gear oil in, my local autoparts store didn't stock EP90; is this ok?
Plus how much does the axle hold, the car is level on axle stands and I've put a litre in, and it's still not draining out of the filler hole. I thought the later axles held less than a litre.
c cummins

The oil you used will be fine. The official capacity of the Salisbury axle is 0.85 litre or 1.5 pints. Try dipping the oil with a thin screwdriver blade through the filler hole. I bet you find it is right up to the edge.
Mike Howlett

Should be OK going by the web site, but normally diff oil is higher pressure than gear oil. The V8 gearbox is a case in point, taking gear oil instead of engine oil but *not* the same as in the diff.
PaulH Solihull

Cannot recall what we have said before about gear additives? There are some impressive additives ( the adverts!) that claim less wear,less noise, a coating on the metal to metal parts that lasts longer that oil alone. Are they worth it? I have to admit to putting an additive (Nulon) to my gearbox when I last drained and filled it. You know it did run quiter, and I felt I could engage gears more easily, is it my imagination? Mike
J.M. Doust

I understand additives to the gearbox oil should be avoided at all costs if an o/d is fitted?
Michael Beswick

I bought some Molyslip from a carboot recently to put in the gearbox and back axle. On reading the instructions it stated not to be used in a gearbox that had overdrive.
C. Cummins beware of overfilling the back axle, the oil could find its way into the rear brakes, as it did in mine. I keep mine about a quater of an inch below the filler plug now.
Trevor Harvey

This thread was discussed between 14/02/2012 and 15/02/2012

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