• 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 TR3A steering box oil

Share this page

TRclassic3

TRclassic3

Jedi Trainee
Country flag
Offline
What oil are you using in the steering box? Manuals aren't very clear on this.
Thanks
 
GM evidently makes a good steering box lube. I am trying to track some down. It is supposed to be "thick" enough to resist leaking. Otherwise, I get steering box lube from a Model A supplier (Brattons in Maryland) It is made to replace the 600wt that ford specified, and has worked for years in various cars (TR3s, and XK120s) with no ill effects. Other folks probably use other things, your results may be different, etc.....
 
The factory service manual shows Hypoid 90W, EP SAE90. This is the same stuff we have been recommending for lubing the trunnions and is commonly used in boat motor lower drives.

Hypoid EP 90W is not the same as 90W gear oil.
 
Drug myself over to the Laboratory to look. Castrol Hypoy C Gear Oil SAE 80W-90.

Yup, TR3's still there. I stared at it for a while.
 
Yep, thanks. Did a little research and found that the EP is extreme pressue and, to quote, "Oils with "EP" ratings (Extreme Pressure) such as EP90 are required.
Some brands describe themselves as "hypoid" instead, a term which is
synonymous with EP. GL-5 is a formal API standard for this type of oil

SO my question now is GL-5 OK or does it need to be GL-4?
 
GL5 contains sulphur (I think) that is known to attack brass and bronze. I don't know if the steering box has any brass or bronze but would be careful about using the GL5.

I'll be pulling my steering box cover this week to change fluid so I'll look.
 
TRclassic3 said:
So what does the EP mean and is the C a replacement or something?
Click to expand...

Castrol Hypoy C Gear Oil is the replacement for Castrol Hypoy B Gear Oil.

Excuse me while I duck and cover.
 
Dunno, but original TR2-3 service instruction manual (from Standard Triumph) uses the EP designation. Although it lists several different brands names, Hypoid EP 90 is most frequent.

I think "C" stands for Cheers. So have a cold one after your done filing it.

Cheers!

PeterK
 
Back
Top