Checking and changing the oil in the gearbox and the rear axle GAZelle Next

The oil level in the gearbox and rear axle must be checked every 20,000 km.

It is recommended to change the oil every 60,000 km (or once a year, whichever comes first).

Recommended oil grades for the final drive and gearbox:

At temperatures from -25 to +40 °C: «Lukoil TM-5» SAE 85W-90, API GL-5.
Equivalent oils: «Super T-3 (TM-5)» or «Devon Super T» SAE 85W-90, API GL-5, or TM-3-18 SAE 90, API GL-3.
At temperatures from -40 to +25 °C: «Lukoil TM-5» SAE 75W-90, API GL-5.

Fill capacities:

Rear axle final drive housing: 1.65 l.
Gearbox: 1.2 l.

Checking the oil level in the rear axle

We position the vehicle on a lift or in an inspection pit.

**Fig. 1.** Unscrewing the filler plug of the rear axle.

We unscrew the filler (control) plug.

We check that the oil level is exactly at the lower edge of the filler hole.

Important: the requirement to maintain the oil level at least at the level of the filler hole edge is because the rear wheel hub bearings are lubricated by transmission oil flowing from the rear axle housing. If the level is low, the oil will not reach the hubs, leading to the bearings running «dry» and failing quickly.

Adding oil to the rear axle — **Fig. 2.** Adding oil with a syringe up to the level of the filler hole.

If necessary, we add oil with a special syringe until excess oil begins to flow out of the control hole.

We securely screw the filler plug back in.

Changing the oil in the rear axle

It is advisable to change the oil immediately after a trip, while it is warm and more fluid.

We carefully clean the filler and drain plugs, as well as the breather, of dirt.

We place a wide container (with a capacity of at least 2 litres) under the rear axle housing to collect the oil.

Preparation for draining — **Fig. 3.** Installing the container to collect the used oil.

We clean the breather by turning its cap to ensure housing ventilation during draining.

We unscrew the filler plug.

We unscrew the drain plug and drain the oil.

Draining oil from the rear axle — **Fig. 5.** Draining oil through the lower drain hole.

If the drained oil is dark or contains metal particles, the final drive must be flushed.

To do this, we reinstall the drain plug after carefully cleaning its magnetic tip of metal shavings.

Cleaning the magnetic plug — **Fig. 6.** Cleaning the drain plug magnet of metal shavings.

Using an oil syringe, we pour approximately 2 litres of flushing mixture (transmission or engine oil with 20–30 % kerosene or diesel fuel) into the rear axle housing and reinstall the filler plug.

Flushing the rear axle — **Fig. 7.** Injecting flushing fluid into the rear axle housing.

After placing chocks under the front wheels, we lift the rear axle with a jack.

We start the engine and engage first gear.

After 2-3 minutes of operation, we completely drain the flushing oil (the draining duration should be at least 5 minutes to remove all suspensions).

After cleaning the drain plug again, we screw it back in.

After unscrewing the filler plug, we fill the housing with fresh transmission oil using a syringe up to the lower edge of the filler hole.

Important: the rear wheel bearings are lubricated by the oil from the final drive. To fill the hubs with oil, we alternately lift the right and left wheels with a jack to a height of about 30 cm and hold them in this position for 6-10 minutes.

After this, we recheck the oil level in the final drive and top up if necessary.

Changing the oil in the gearbox

To perform this work, you will need: a 12 mm hex key, a drain container (at least 2 litres), and an oil syringe.

We drain the oil from the gearbox immediately after a trip, before it cools down and thickens.

We position the vehicle on a lift or in an inspection pit.

**Fig. 8.** Cleaning the gearbox breather of contaminants.

We clean the breather of contaminants.

Unscrewing the gearbox drain plug — **Fig. 9.** Unscrewing the drain plug with a 12 mm hex key.

Using a 12 mm hex key, we unscrew the drain plug.

Draining oil from the gearbox — **Fig. 10.** Draining oil into a wide container with a capacity of at least two litres.

We drain the oil into a wide container.

If the used oil is dark or contains metal particles, we flush the gearbox. To do this, we reinstall the drain plug after cleaning its magnet of steel shavings.

Unscrewing the gearbox filler plug — **Fig. 11.** Unscrewing the filler plug on the side of the housing with a 12 mm key.

Using a 12 mm hex key, we unscrew the filler plug on the side of the housing.

Flushing the gearbox — **Fig. 12.** Injecting flushing fluid into the gearbox.

Using an oil syringe, we pour approximately 1 litre of flushing mixture (transmission or engine oil with 20–30 % kerosene or diesel fuel) into the gearbox and reinstall the filler plug.

After placing chocks under the front wheels, we lift the rear wheel or the entire axle.

After engaging first gear, we start the engine for 2-3 minutes.

After lowering the vehicle to the ground, we completely drain the flushing oil (the draining duration should be at least 5 minutes).

After cleaning the drain plug again, we screw it back in with a wrench.