Rear axle / Angle gear fluid confusion

[vogron]

Hi Guys,

I'm planning to replace the rear axle/differential fluid on my 2011MY XC70 D5.

Based on the VIDA it requires 1161620 (GL-5 80W) fluid which is discontinued since a while. The angle/bevel gear is requires 31259380 (GL-5 75W-90).

Since the original 1161620 is discontinued the successor is the same as the angle gear oil - 31259380 which is a different viscosity oil.


So basically I have two questions:

- Is it possible to use oils from other companies with GL-5 80W-90 viscosity in the rear axle? (80w vs 80w-90)

or

- should I buy GL-5 75W-90 oil and use it both on angle and differential gears?


To be honest I don't want to buy Volvo fluids if I can replace them with the same quality on the half price of the OEM fluids.


Thank you for the help!

[100K+]

Originally Posted by vogron

Hi Guys,

I'm planning to replace the rear axle/differential fluid on my 2011MY XC70 D5.

Based on the VIDA it requires 1161620 (GL-5 80W) fluid which is discontinued since a while. The angle/bevel gear is requires 31259380 (GL-5 75W-90).

Since the original 1161620 is discontinued the successor is the same as the angle gear oil - 31259380 which is a different viscosity oil.


So basically I have two questions:

- Is it possible to use oils from other companies with GL-5 80W-90 viscosity in the rear axle? (80w vs 80w-90)



or

- should I buy GL-5 75W-90 oil and use it both on angle and differential gears?


To be honest I don't want to buy Volvo fluids if I can replace them with the same quality on the half price of the OEM fluids.


Thank you for the help!

This question has been asked in variation on several "Volvo forum sites" and the most common answer appears to be :-
This is a job that most owners do only once therefore why would you not use the "Volvo part"? The "cost" of getting the job wrong far out weighs any savings that can be made by using 3rd party oils.
For myself I did this job using the Volvo oils - and I also included the Haldex oil too. which was by far the dirtiest of the oils changed - others were still golden after 85k miles

Cheers
Bob

[Clan]

Originally Posted by 100K+

This question has been asked in variation on several "Volvo forum sites" and the most common answer appears to be :-
This is a job that most owners do only once therefore why would you not use the "Volvo part"? The "cost" of getting the job wrong far out weighs any savings that can be made by using 3rd party oils.
For myself I did this job using the Volvo oils - and I also included the Haldex oil too. which was by far the dirtiest of the oils changed - others were still golden after 85k miles

Cheers
Bob

That is typical of volvo gearbox and axle oils irrespective of mileage or time , that's why they do not have change intervals , they use the very best oil and transmission materials available . you will find old 850's and earlier cars still running around with perfect transmission oils ( not including auto ! )

[Clan]

Originally Posted by vogron

Hi Guys,

I'm planning to replace the rear axle/differential fluid on my 2011MY XC70 D5.

Based on the VIDA it requires 1161620 (GL-5 80W) fluid which is discontinued since a while. The angle/bevel gear is requires 31259380 (GL-5 75W-90).

Since the original 1161620 is discontinued the successor is the same as the angle gear oil - 31259380 which is a different viscosity oil.


So basically I have two questions:

- Is it possible to use oils from other companies with GL-5 80W-90 viscosity in the rear axle? (80w vs 80w-90)

or

- should I buy GL-5 75W-90 oil and use it both on angle and differential gears?


To be honest I don't want to buy Volvo fluids if I can replace them with the same quality on the half price of the OEM fluids.


Thank you for the help!

Do you realise that there are 3 sections to the rear axle/haldex unit on the rear axle all using different oils ?

the actual rear differenial unit at the very back uses conventional EP 75/90 universal Synthetic Hypoid oil Castrol Syntrax is ideal

The critical words here are Hypoid and EP ( Extreme pressure ) they are the only oils you must for a rear axle and front angle gear ..
As said above just get the proper volvo oil , but your car is fairly new it will not need rear axle or angle gear oil , change the Haldex clutch oil by all means ..

you mentioned GL-5 75W-90 that is not EP or Hypoid and is used for a gearbox only .

[S60D5-185]

Originally Posted by Clan

Do you realise that there are 3 sections to the rear axle/haldex unit on the rear axle all using different oils ?

the actual rear differenial unit at the very back uses conventional EP 75/90 universal Synthetic Hypoid oil Castrol Syntrax is ideal

The critical words here are Hypoid and EP ( Extreme pressure ) they are the only oils you must for a rear axle and front angle gear ..
As said above just get the proper volvo oil , but your car is fairly new it will not need rear axle or angle gear oil , change the Haldex clutch oil by all means ..

you mentioned GL-5 75W-90 that is not EP or Hypoid and is used for a gearbox only .

Hi Clan, I've just very recently replaced the rear diff oil on my XC90 with the correct stuff and also done the Haldex unit by removing and cleaning the pump, installing a new filter and refilling with Volvo Haldex fluid.

With almost 130k on the car both oils were certainly dirty.

I'm confused by your mention of three elements to the rear axle each requiring a different oil???

Have I missed something on the rear axle as I thought that there were only 2 elements and as such I had done all that I could

Can you clarify please or did you meant to say 3, including the front angle gear.

Thanks.

[barrybritcher]

try comma oils website for guides to fluids

[Peter2400]

There's two components on the rear axle which needs oil, not three: haldex unit and diff.

[S60D5-185]

Originally Posted by Peter2400

There's two components on the rear axle which needs oil, not three: haldex unit and diff.

That was always my understanding and I'm very familiar with the vehicle.

Pretty certain that Clan was referring to Angle gear on front as third element.

Thanks

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Peter2400

There's two components on the rear axle which needs oil, not three: haldex unit and diff.

yes sorry for the confusion i have just been talking to someone with a powershift gearbox which has 3 compartments !


Important Volvo has developed this oil together with
its AWD clutch supplier. The product is only available
as part no. 31325 136 as well as 9487 308 and not in
any standard version.



9487309 is differential Hypoid EP oil for the rear axle and angle gear

[vogron]

My final choice will be the Liqui Moly HYPOID GEAR OIL (GL5) SAE 80W

Compared with the 1161620 specs it has almost the same values.

Oil part numbers for MY2011 XC70: