gearbox oil top up

[Dannyb]

Has anyone cut a hole on the gearbox tunnel so you can get to the oil filler plug.
If so where is it in relation to the foot rest.

[PJM]

I use a syringe to fill mine from underneath (TR6), dead cheap and easy to get hold off from fleabay.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Large-Syringe-Hydroponics-100ml-Handy-Tube-/160433826114?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_HomeGarden_Garden_PlantsSeedsBulbs_JN&hash=item255a99e942

link is for a typical syringe and can also be used for the back axle as well.

[don cook1]

Or, leave the tunnel and remove the filler plug from underneath with a spanner (it can be reached), feed a hose into the filler hole from above with a funnel on the end and pour oil in.

[herald948]

I like Paul's idea, except I usually use an inexpensive pump oiler such as this one:

[sparky_spit]

DannyB, have a look here - 9th reply and further down - info and pictures of my inspection hatch and some others too.

Sorry , link no longer available

[Velocita Rosso]

On both Spitfire and GT we cut holes in the GRP tunnel, created sealed flaps that screw down and just lift carpet and remove flaps for top up . Ten minutes job

[Dannyb]

Thanks guys....that's just what I was looking for. Did not think to make the hole that big but thinking about it this is the best way to go. saves all that jacking up and 2 pairs of axle stands to get the car level. I will be more inclined to check the gearbox oil more often.  

[JohnD]

Don't cut rectangular holes in the gearbox cover.  Cracks are bound to develop from the corners. Round the corners.
Make the lid from metal sheet.
Install spire clips around the hole and closed-cell foam strip on the overlap of the lid.
Looks neat, n'est-ce pas?

The forward alloy sheet is a mod to accomodate a modern starter motor.
It's rivetted on, with sealant between cover and sheet.
John

[Velocita Rosso]

PS ours is drilled circular with 3" hole saw

[lordleonusa]

No square holes, learn from the deHavilland Comet airliner.

L

[lancepar]

Just checked my gearbox oil as follows.
Jack at front and back on filler plug side of car, pump up till a house brick will go under the wheels.
This gave me just enough room to access the filler/level plug.
Then with a short length of tube on the end of a pump oil can squirt some oil in the gearbox.
I use an old rubber car mat and a rag beneath the drain plug before crawling out and then remove bricks and lower the jacks.  If no oil drips on the rag then repeat procedure until oil is topped up and excess oil drips onto the catch mat, then jack up again etc and replace plug.
First injection of oil was enough, but it will depend on how much oil you box has lost.

Now I know this isn’t perfect and messy, but it woks for me and I do the same method for the diff top up as well.

.

[don cook1]

Chances are that if you are re-filling/topping up with oil then you've bought some. Why not drain off all the oil and re-fill with specified amount?

[drofgum]

Don Cook,
The oil in the gearbox will last a very long time without doing any harm to the gearbox; unlike engine oil which gets contaminated by combustion products.  So, there is little point in changing it, unless there is some reason to think it has become contaminated. There are also the issues of proper disposal of the used oil, and the waste of resources (and money) to consider. Topping up saves quite a bit of oil, and could save a gearbox from destruction.
                                                                             Cheers,
                                                                             Paul

[Dannyb]

I have now cut two round hols approx 2.5 inch diameter 3 inches apart and with an acksaw blade cut the middle out so I have an elongated hole with round ends. Over this I have fitted a metal plate 1 inch bigger all round and the foot rest is screwed to this. The plate is held with 6 self tapping screws that tap into metal spire clips.

[Robbo337]

I've just bought a 1971 Triumph Herald, it's not getting into fourth gear and a friend recommended changing the gear oil- what type of oil do I use, and any recommendations as to how to proceed?

[rhodes]

I have cut a square hole in my 'cardboard' gearbox cover and removed the footrest.  If you have a cardboard cover then all this talk about cracks in the corners and Comets crashing is nonsense.  There is no stress in the cover.

[Velocita Rosso]

4478 wrote:

I've just bought a 1971 Triumph Herald, it's not getting into fourth gear and a friend recommended changing the gear oil- what type of oil do I use, and any recommendations as to how to proceed?

EP 90 or 80/90 GL4

[markcro]

GT6_Don wrote:

Or, leave the tunnel and remove the filler plug from underneath with a spanner (it can be reached), feed a hose into the filler hole from above with a funnel on the end and pour oil in.

Exactly like that. I have a length of garden hose that I use for it, and then just stick a funnel in the top of the hose. The higher that you lift the top of the hose/ funnel the higher the flow rate. You need two people though.