Anyone on here ever replaced the three seals in the rear diff? (Input and 2 outputs) Got any pointers?

 

You need to get the factory seal installer tool number 2062 for each of the side seals. The front of the rear differential needs several more and is a pain to do. What year is your car? If it is 96-01 then it is pretty easy. Lift the car and take out upper control arm bolt to tilt wheel out and unbolt axle from diff flange and diff flange from diff and pry out seal, clean up and install new seal. Top off fluid when you are done. You will need a 8mm triple square, a torx socket and a 10mm allen socket as well as seal installer and a way to get the new fluid into the side of the diff.

 

Alternatively, you can just check the gear oil level, and top it up once a year if it isn't leaking badly.

 

It's a 2001 A4 1.8T QM Sport...

Are the authentic tools absolutely necessary or can I make do with something else in my modest tool collection?

Thanks

 

IIRC there's a write up on this at audiworld

 

Got a url to it? I searched to no avail.

 

For everone else's benefit, hereare write ups on Audipages:

http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articl...placement.html

http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articl...placement.html

 

Thats an A8 which is a hell of a lot harder to do that an A4 rear prop seal.
Just pop off the shaft and let it hang, take out the center torx bolt and pull out the drive axle flange, use a pry par or screwdriver and pry out the old seal. You are supposed to use a seal installer to align the new seal in correctly buy you can lightly tap it back in with a rubber mallet.