Interesting read on Diff fill capacities.

[timc930]

Checking fluid in front and rear locking diff, and only way is to drain/measure refill, so curious why they just don't fill to fill hole and found this discussion....

Differential Fluid capacites confusion - Land Rover Forums - Land Rover Enthusiast Forum

LR3 - Differential Fluid capacites confusion - I just had my front differential oil changed and I think they charged me for 2 quarts. I looked it up and it says .64 quarts or so. I think they probably just filled to the top of the fill hole. Which was probably 1.5 quarts maybe. The manual says...

landroverforums.com

 

[ktm525]

fill to spill and chill. This is my method. No leaks or blown seals for the past 18 years on my LR3&LR4. I did cut the breather caps on the LR3 as they were known to plug.

 

[mbw]

Well the factory service manual says not to fill to the hole, it has specific amounts. I follow the manual. It isn't a lot different though, so I wouldn't argue it makes a ton of difference. I'd just rather follow what it says.

 

[powershift]

.64q isn't very much compared to 2 qts. Looking at the manual, I found the diff is a 3.54:1 ratio. Pretty sweet spot on the freeway, yet it has some get up and go right off the line. I have to work hard to be smooth on the throttle because it likes to launch and jump ahead of everyone from the stoplight. It also feels like the torque split ratio between front and rear favors the front, but I just looked that up and the manual says 50:50. It seems like the front end lifts up a lot taking off, but maybe that is from having air shocks?

 

[ktm525]

Well the manual does state not to use the fill holes as levels but then they give this nugget of insight lol. Good luck.

 

[powershift]

Well the manual does state not to use the fill holes as levels but then they give this nugget of insight lol. Good luck.

View attachment 23964

My manual doesn't have that discussion about the 1.16l. I'm using the 2009-20011_Land_Rover_Discovery_sm.pdf. What are you using?

 

[ktm525]

2010-2013 LR4 SM for rear diff

 

[timc930]

I’m going to start using fill hole. Much easier to periodically ck levels. Had to drain and refill just to ck levels in frt/rear.

 

[ktm525]

On the front I believe I did it on ramps so there was some angle. Probably level was just below the fill if vehicle was completely level.. On the rear just to to the fill when sitting level. Opening another can of worms I used Royal Purple instead of the "factory recommended unobtanium Castrol XO or whatever they call it" lol. After 100k kms the oil came out clear both front and rear.

Also don't forget the transfer case! Different fluid.

 

[f1racer328]

If you have a rear locking diff it’s also a different fluid type than the front diff.

Another small thing to consider.