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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Tran-X LSD Noise

Until very recently I had very little noise from the Tran-X LSD. There was an earlier thread about this I think?

Talking to Tran-X when I first bought it, they say that they can be a bit noisy, but other than a slight 'clonk' when manoeuvering on a tight lock, nothing - UNTIL I changed the oil!!

Currently in Norway on the MAS Euroclassic and have a distinctly noisy diff at low speeds with any lock on - nothing straight ahead. The only thing I have done is change the oil just before we left to Castrol B373 - GL6 spec, the highest.

Rang Castrol technical today and asked if the oil was OK, yes it is. When I first fitted the diff, about 5 years ago, I went to the local BMW dealer and they sold me some LSD oil, which is what I put in. The Castrol man said that the BMW oil is their SAF-XJ 75W/140 synthetic oil, so remains thicker at higher temperatures. Could this be the reason I had no problem before?

Am going to contact Tran-X when I get back and see if the BMW oil meets their spec?

What are others' experiences with Tran-X?
Richard Wale

Richard, mine has been noisy right from the start. I have always use the same oil though so no experience there. I use Valvoline GL5 LS.

It is quiet under load and when cold but when hot even the slightest turn when freewheeling (ie. coasting in traffic) it squeeks and knocks like mad! You can actually 'feel' the plates slipping as it tightens up.

Its been like that since new and I have done maybe a 1000 miles and 20 hillclimbs with no probs so I wouldn't be too worried.

Might take mine out over the winter and have a look at it but not sure if I dare in case it needs lots of money throwing at it!

Good luck with the rally.

John
John Payne

Richard, I'm sure you will be aware that the LSD requires a special oil, as John points out the Valvoline GL5 LS is good, Millers also does a good one specificaly for competition use. If I remember when I get to work, I will post which it is...

Mark.
Mark T. Boldry

I've had mine fitted for 3 years. At first (8-10 months) it was fine no noise at all. Then started getting squeeks & groans from it when turning even at low speed after it had got warm. Sent it back to tran-x for a service and they said it was fine. The last 2 years it still makes the same noises, so not worried as it appears to be the norm. And with mine not making any noises originally was unusual. I think it has castrol LS oil in it.
tvf

Mine doesnt make noise(yet!) and i run it on MPM SAE 90W limited-slip oil(hypoid).

Ive been told by my LSD supplier that penrite SAE 85W-140 is one of the best oils to use for the (quaife) LSD diff.
Have a can on stock but sofar sticked with refilling it with MPM oil.
Arie de Best

Mark,

I started off on BMW's LSD oil, which is Castrol SAF-XJ 75W/140. After about 10,000 miles recently changed to Castrol B373, which is their competition GL6 EP90 LSD oil. No problems until the oil change. Will go back to BMW oil, so long as Tran-X ok it.

Richard
Richard Wale

This thread was discussed between 15/09/2008 and 16/09/2008

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.