Missing driveshaft oil

[dogshome]

Hi all, I went shopping for my mum and decided to deliver 15 miles away on the bike. Usually my wife comes and we take mum to the pub. Not for a while now....

So I noticed an every so slightly whiney transmission. Very quiet on the road, big buildings reflecting the noise so, though to check oil in 2 miles when I got home.

The diff may have lost a tiny amount (wouldn't swear to it), but I put a good 75mL in the drive shaft. The back brake works, there is nothing seeping or on the wheel, although I noticed it wasn't completely dry in there when I had the wheel out before.

Can it go North into the driveshaft boot? I've not looked yet. Or does it simply drain into the diff and find it's way out very slowly. I've done about 1000 miles since checking.

[Barry]

I've heard it go in both directions. There is a breather route into the gearbox from the drive shaft.  Mine went from the drive shaft to the diff until I lowered the drive shaft fill from the handbook recommended 150 ml  to 100 ml. Not had a problem since.


Diff oil can get into the rear brake via the operating lever pivot depending on model year. Pre-81 with the smooth diff case it can't at least not by that route. Post 81 with ribbed diff case it can.

[dogshome]

My friend just called, he says he only had it go south once and it is a bit of an event i.e oil everywhere!

He tells me he usually finds it in the north drive boot which splits and sprays it out at some point.

I think you are quite right about oil levels, it's a bit vague. He says if there is any oil at all in there (not a lot) then it's fine.

I shan't worry if either isn't at the top now then. It came with about 50mL in the driveshaft and was low in the diff too.

The 75W oil I have is synthetic and very slick i.e it spreads like a solvent. That probably doesn't help. Gear shifts are great though (now I have rose joints instead of the coat-hanger and can get my boot under it). 1-2-3-4-5-6 = 60MPH in 6 (or near enough +1 or 2) seconds without thrashing  :-)

Down-changes similar, some mistakes from 3rd to 2nd but I have to remember to not think about it. Just do it.

[dogshome]

Slightly (a lot) off thread: Lead replacement. The 65 seems to be a lot more responsive with a few mL of (not lead) replacement / stabiliser.

Not sure if it's the numerous 75MPH 20 mile runs to work recently, or the stabiliser, but the old girl is less lawnmower and more like a modern 4 cylinder engine with it. Idling is also more reliable and cold starts almost instant.