R380 Oil Change
This may help a few people who, like me, don't like guessing with torque settings on critical components. The Defender R380 gearbox drain plug can't be undone or torqued back up with a standard 32mm socket as there isn't space to fit it to the plug with the wrench attached (or fit the wrench once the socket is in place).
Drainplug socket
It cost me about £5 for a Halfords pro 32mm socket and 5 minutes with an angle grinder cutting it down in height to just under 30mm but it works well.
Note: Never undo a drain plug until you have removed the corresponding filler plug first!
Difflock can supply everything you need to do this job and also have a great online guide to doing it.
Difflock guide to Replacing Oil in 5-Speed LT77& R380 Manual Gearbox
Draining the old oil
I would also like to share another tip about how to stop oil going everywhere when draining the gearbox. Cut the corner section out of an old four pint plastic milk carton. Slacken the gearbox drain plug then wedge the carton between the prop shaft, gearbox and gearbox cross member. The thin plastic is flexible enough to allow you to get your fingers in and remove the drain plug, it then catches the oil and funnels it into a suitable container, assuming you took the plastic cap of the old milk carton of course! Please see the pictures below which will hopefully make my ramblings a little clearer.
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