RobinG

Does anyone know where the seal is that allows the tranny and diff oil to swap? When I pulled the tranny off the diff, it didn't appear obvious.

I'm getting a "yard" replacement and wondered what I could do to avoid the same fate as the original.

SteveAngry

I think it's the small seal that goes around the turbine shaft...

Take a close look at the shaft...it should be visable if you have the tranny/diff seperated. it will be sticking out...

There is also a large o ring and gasket you should replace beween the tranny and diff to keep it sealed tight...

I haven't opened up a tranny yet, I'm just going by memory...

Steve
Michigan

RobinG

It seems like this is a high visability issue on this car but I can't seem to find much info on the subject.

I got a transmission/diff from a donar car (144K mi.) and want to do some preventative maintenance so I don't have to do this exercise again. From the searching I've done, I get the idea that:
1) most just check the tranny dip stick and wait for the oil to get thick and then add oil to the diff.
2) wait for the diff to start whining, then add oil (believe me, if it's whining, adding or changing the oil isn't going to make things go magically quiet)

Here's a list of stuff I'd suspect would make sense to do if the diff hasn't started to whine already.
1) Replace the problem seal (which seems to last at least 100k). Which one is it?
2) Replace the seal on the torque converter end (keeps the tranny from leaking and leaving a puddle on your driveway).
3) Drain as much oil from the tranny as possible (there's a lot holed up in the T.C.)
4) Pull the tranny pan and clean the filter screen (hope you don't find metal).
5) Suck the diff oil out.
6) Put the synthetic oil in the diff that audi recommends (some claim they don't have it???). Redline apparently has a good alternative.
7) Use synthetic oil in the tranny, but make sure it's a differnt color then the diff oil, so you can visually verify any future seal failure.