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Tips
Tips

TR2/3/3A TR3 tranny fluid change

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newmexTR3

newmexTR3

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Not trying to reignite the "what fluid to put in the tranny" thread here
grin.gif
, just need a quick guide on how to replace the fluid; it's been awhile since I did it myself.

Do I refill it by putting the car up on jack stands? Or is it accessible through the cockpit?

FWIW, I'm gonna go with 20/50w racing oil.


Also- I have a TR4 full syncro tranny.


Here is the diagram for the 3 version- where is the fill plug?

tr-tranny.jpg
 
My early 3 has (had) the cutout cover and dipstick top so I filled from above. With the Toyota box (side fill like your 3 I believe)I fill from below with a flaps pump then lower the car looking for some to leak out, wait til the excess leaks out and plug.
 
My TR4 tranny was side fill. I did it with the body off the frame, but I suspect that it probably won't be possible without removing the transmission hump.
 
Why don't you just bring it to Ratco next Saturday and get it up on the lift?? :smile: All the work will have to be done under the car.
 
Art- If the session is on for this weekend I very well may do that.
 
It's on for this Saturday. If I hear different, I'll PM you.
 
rlandrum said:
My TR4 tranny was side fill. I did it with the body off the frame, but I suspect that it probably won't be possible without removing the transmission hump.
Click to expand...

Basically the same tranny as a TR6. Change that blasted square-headed plug to a nice hex-head so you can get a real wrench on it. I think I can actually put a socket on it from the bottom. Then fill from the bottom with a large plastic irrigating syringe from the drug store with a piece of 1/4" vinyl tubing jammed over the tip. That way you can suck oil from your quart container and push it into the tranny side hole till it overflows and dribbles out of the side. Then just screw the new plug back in and tighten her up. No disassembly required.
 
The fill location changed during the TR3A run. Cars before approx TS50000 had the dipstick which was also the fill location. After that (same time the bulge for the later starter appeared), the dipstick was deleted and a plug installed on the side.

Of course it's easy to mix and match parts ... you wouldn't be the first to have both features (or neither). I liked the dipstick enough that my TR6 gearbox has one ...

Also FWIW, I got really tired of those square headed plugs that seem to be made from old cheese. The hex socket plugs I got from MMC are hardened and work much better, IMO. They even have a magnetic version for the drain. And I suggest "PTFE pipe paste" to help the threads seal, rather than the more common "teflon tape".
 
If yours is side-fill, get a quart of Sta-Lube that comes in the container that has a pump on the top. You can dump out the SAE 90 gear lube if you want to use other oil. It's sort of like those pumps for mustard and ketchup. You stick the hose in the fill hole. Works well.
 
Great tips guys. The fill plug is on the passenger side of the housing, correct?


Cheers,
Gavin
 
TR4 tranny fill plug is on the driver's side.

Randy
 
Kind of depends on whether your car is LHS or RHS :laugh:

Here's a shot from Nelson, showing the fill plug on the LH side, in front of the reverse bulge and above the reinforcing rib (which can make it difficult to spot). Note that the Nyloc nut above the bulge is NOT the fill point; you really don't want to take it off.
 
Twosheds said:
If yours is side-fill, get a quart of Sta-Lube that comes in the container that has a pump on the top.
Click to expand...
FWIW, my FLAPS only sells the pump separately. I've seen them at Wally-mart, too.
 
TR3driver said:
Twosheds said:
If yours is side-fill, get a quart of Sta-Lube that comes in the container that has a pump on the top.
Click to expand...
FWIW, my FLAPS only sells the pump separately. I've seen them at Wally-mart, too.
Click to expand...

Even better!

Then you can use any oil you want to without dumping the oil in the quart container.
 
Just a side comment. if you have an OD transmission, you can not drain it completely from the front drain plug, because the passage between the main box casing and OD casing has a high point preventing the flow of oil from the OD to the main box. To thoroughlly drain the tranny AND OD be sure to open both the front main box drain plug and the rear large plug (A-type) or cover plate (J Type).
 
Absitively! Also be sure to clean the magnets and screen(s) of any swarf.

Also perhaps worth noting that it's not a good idea to use a hammer & drift to remove the big plug on the later A-type, as it's apt to distort the plug & make it hard to seal.
 
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