Hi all
I know this must have been asked a thousand times but.....

2008 LR3 4.4 V8
Can I use Castrol Transmax Axle 80 W 90 in the front and rear diffs?
I am struggling to find synthetic lub 75 W 90
The car is in Oman so usually lowest ambient temp is about 28 degrees C and lovely highs of 52 degrees C
I don't think the differentials have been drained in the 220,000 KM on the clock so would like to put clean stuff in.
I am still debating if i should touch the transmission as it is going well

 

I think Castrol Transmax is just the new name for Syntrax, which I have used.
I have also used Royal Purple. I change my Dif oil every 25k miles.

But I'm surprised you can find 80 in that brand but not 75 - maybe it is regional since you live in a hotter climate and don't "need" the 75?
I'd say you are probably fine with 80 . . . in non-locking Difs of course (Locking rear uses a different spec).

Hopefully someone else with better knowledge can confirm or deny the spec.
(I also recommend you do change your trans fluid.)

 

I looked into this a long time ago and on the European D3 forum there was a similar discussion 11 years ago where the conclusion was that 75W90 GL-5 is the minimum but it’s ok to use 80W90. See https://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/post1126920.html#1126920. They don’t talk about temperatures but 75W is more for winter (colder) temperatures… which as a generic recommendation is probably “good enough”.

Note that the diff oil can be pretty much any brand, it doesn’t have to be something specific or special.

 

Thanks guys I'll get it sorted in the next couple of days.
I don't do much off roading so will leave the transfer box for now.

 

Still do the transfer box. Regardless if you off-road or not. Yes you do put more power through it in low range, but It's part of the drive train and the oil does degrade over time. It doesn't hurt to change it regardless of the mileage.

 

Rikkd
What do you suggest for the choice of lub. I have heard that you can't use standard gear oil.

 

Transfer box uses automatic transmission fluid, ATF, any brand.

 

Royal Purple Synchromax is one option for transfer case oil. It gets more complicated if you want to change the automatic transmission fluid.

 

As an update I just did the diff's, what I expected was thick black gunck, what came out was just watery brown liquid.
I used Castrol Transmax 80w90 as it's what's available here.
Once I find transfer case oil will get that done.
Last choice will be at the LR dealership which will be horrific.
What can I use as an alternative?

 

Besides the ones already mentioned, at least

Ravenol TF-0870 (nowadays DTF1) works
Fuchs Titan ATF 5005


You only need 1.5 liters.