Gearbox Oil

Ben Harris · Post by **Ben Harris** » Mon May 17, 2004 4:48 pm

I've seen the question of "what type of gearbox oil should I use?" appear here several times, without remembering seeing a definate answer. In case anyone's interested, I've just had some work done on my 2-litre 480, and part of it involved replacing the gearbox oil. The work was done by an ex-Volvo main-dealer, and the oil type they used was "Shell Spirax X 75Wx90" at Â£6.05/litre (consderably cheaper than what Volvo charge, I believe!)

Ben.

Turbo ZZZ · Post by **Turbo ZZZ** » Sun May 23, 2004 9:48 pm

I use ARAL hyp sinth 75w-90 in my turbo

robkendall · Post by **robkendall** » Mon May 24, 2004 7:56 am

both sound more like engine oil viscosities rather than gear box oil.
I put p80/90 transmission oil in mine when I put the new cluth in recently.
Its the volvo recommended viscosity, and costs about a fiver from most motor spares shops.
regards
rob

Ben Harris · Post by **Ben Harris** » Mon May 24, 2004 8:08 am

Well the description I found on a website for the "Shell Spirax X" oil in mine, says:

"A semi-synthetic automotive gearbox lubricant designed to give superior protection."

so it would appear to be gearbox oil, rather than engine oil. I couldn't find information of the Volvo recommended visosity before I sent it to the garage, other than the Volvo part number.

Ben.

robkendall · Post by **robkendall** » Mon May 24, 2004 8:15 am

didnt doubt it was transmission oil for one minute...just saying that the viscosity sounded like engine oil.
Is it any good?
Ive noticed that my gearbox seems to be much quieter since new oil, but conversely makes a whiring noise now when accelerating!
doesnt sound like a bad whirring though
rgrds
rob

Ben Harris · Post by **Ben Harris** » Mon May 24, 2004 8:23 am

I've not noticed any difference really. They had to drain the oil, whilst replacing the "spider bearing" on the inner CV joint, so replaced it with new stuff. I've not had any of the problems with this 480 (such as difficulty engaging gears) which replacing the oil has been a suggestion for fixing, and it wasn't particularly noisy before so can't really comment... Sorry!

Oh, and where did you find the information that it should be 80/90 oil in the gearbox? I couln't find any information anywhere on the web...

Ben.

robkendall · Post by **robkendall** » Mon May 24, 2004 8:52 am

My friend who helped m change my cluth used to be a mechanic for vw/audi,before moving to volvo. he spent 10 years being a diesel fitter on the trucks and buses before scaling down to cars for five years (stillfor volvo), then retired.
he said to put p80/90 in, it was listed in this book he had.
The motor spares shops listing said 'volvo dealer part' (as usual!)
he said also that all pre 95 models would do well with this viscosity....only the newer models had to have specials like fully synth etc.
took his word for it!

rgrds
rob

Turbo ZZZ · Post by **Turbo ZZZ** » Mon May 24, 2004 8:53 am

High performance gear oil with Aral synthetic technology is for the use in heavy-duty (hypoid) axles, highly stressed final drives and manual transmissions, steering gears and auxiliary drives in passenger cars, commercial vehicles (trucks, construction machinery, agricultural aggregates) and motorcycles in accordance with the specifications of the aggregate manufacturers.

Specification
API GL 5; ZF TE-ML 05A , ..12A;
Safety Data Sheet
Packages
Aral GetriebeÃ¶l HYP SYNTH. SAE 75W-90 / 6x0,5L Bottles
Aral GetriebeÃ¶l HYP SYNTH. SAE 75W-90 Can 20L
Aral GetriebeÃ¶l HYP SYNTH. SAE 75W-90 Drum 205L
Aral GetriebeÃ¶l HYP SYNTH. SAE 75W-90 Garage Drum 60
That's what i found on a search in aral web site.