• Hey Guest!
    British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Tips
Tips

TR2/3/3A Correct oil level for differential?

Share this page

K

karls59tr

Obi Wan
Bronze
Country flag
Offline
On most cars if you put put a finger in the diff fill hole and the oil level is just below the fill hole your good to go. Is this correct for the TR3 or is it possible to overfill the diff? I just topped it up with the intent to monitor the seal leak. If it's not too bad I would like to postpone changing out the seal until Fall. Don't want to overfill and make the situation worse.
Karl
 
I believe bottom of the threads is enough; however top of the hole (where it runs out) is fine too. The level is not all that critical.
But higher than that (say having it tilted when filling level full) might increase leaks a bit. Any leakage should be from the vent hole on the top, though, not the axle seals.

Leaking pinion seal is no big deal, but leaking axle seals are very apt to let oil into the brakes, which of course makes the brakes not work. I'd do axle seals sooner rather than later; as brakes are kind of important.
 
When I had an axle seal fail I did not notice until the (oil-soaked) shoe linings fell off. That got my attention.

Had to drive home from New Mexico with the rear brakes disabled - not really noticeable in casual driving.

Yes, some may raise the rear end quite a bit to get at the fill plug so the level needs to take that into consideration.
 
Geo Hahn said:
When I had an axle seal fail I did not notice until the (oil-soaked) shoe linings fell off. That got my attention.

Had to drive home from New Mexico with the rear brakes disabled - not really noticeable in casual driving.

Yes, some may raise the rear end quite a bit to get at the fill plug so the level needs to take that into consideration.
Click to expand...
I had better double check the level as I had the back of the car on jack stands when I filled. Front brakes do 80% of the braking but I better address the situation soon.
 
In a 'pinch' (pun intended) I carry a metal clamping plier the shut off the rear hose. I did this on the TR3 (seized cylinder, opened the bleeder to relieve) as I only needed to drive a few miles.

I also carry a plug made from an old metal line that works well and avoids squeezing the soft line:

XEIfNYd.jpg


I used the plug on the TR4 as I was a few hundred miles from home.
 
Back
Top