I knew that the fluid was probably never changed so I decided to drain it. Looked at the AudiDIY and tried to get the same Redline 75W90 gear oil but since it wasn't available, I chose Mobil1 Synthetic 75W90 instead at $8.99 a quart (25% off of that if you can go to the Post office and get a coupon inside the mover's kit).

Anyhow, the bolts were really tight. I almost stripped the fill plug but realized that too much dirt/debris/rust was inside the cavity where the 10mm allen socket would fit. Hence, I used the end of a rachet and hammered it into the fill plug until it was all the way in. Came off with some effort. Same for the drain plug. What drained was what looked pretty much like chocolate milk (same as the transmission fluid I drained a few weeks ago).

The hardest part was filling it. For anyone who doesn't have a pump/syringe, I'd recommend just getting some clear rubber tubing and having someone outside squeeze the bottle upside down to force it through the tube and into the fill plug. The fill plug is pretty big so pretty much any tube up to 3/4" diameter would work. Too small and it will take you a while, too big and it may not fit. 1/2" tubing would probably be the best. I filled up all 2 quarts w/o any seeping from the fill plug (albeit some was spilled in the filling process).

In any case, it's easy to do and if anyone hasn't done it, I'd recommend it. $15 and a few hours at most. I can do it in 20 min the next time. I can't tell the difference with the new fluid when driving but the peace of mind is worth it.

 

Glad it went well.. I hadta take it somewhere for them to get the fill plug, i couldnt get enough leverage under the car to break it. Filling it does suck, it smells (nothing smells worse), the pump i had wouldnt go to the bottom of the bottle, and one of the bottles spilled.

 

Yeah, gear oil smells horrendous. Sounds like an easy R&R, and it's on my list for spring (along with fuel filter and transmission fluid). Glad it was straightforward and easy enough for you

 

I did my tranny and differential at the same time. About 30 min over all but it took a 4' breaker bar to get the dif fill hole to open...

 

because no one has said it here yet, for anyone reading- remove the fill plug BEFORE you remove the drain. if you cant get the fill plug off, then stop right there. the worst thing to do is drain it all out and have no way to put new fluid in there.

 

I'm just gonna have my local vo-tech do it all while I'm gone to basic. They'll be replacing my wheel bearing and doing an alignment so I figure why not give them more practice with German cars? I won't be around for 5 months so they can take their good sweet time with it.

 

ya i def wanna do mine in the spring too. that plus all the other fluids in my car. it's about time lol. there goes my CO money again. *sigh*

 

i did mine last oil change. mine was also very nasty lookin coming outta there. i bought one of them cheap pumps. cuz its so much easyer. and good to add to the tool box of audi parts lol

 

You are a brave soul to let students play with your Audi.

And good luck at basic!




Ghost, great tip. I was thinking the same exact thing. Driving around with bad fluid is always better than driving with NO fluid!

 

+1 for those cheap pumps. Transmission fluid, Diff fluid can all be pumped using it. Also, it can be a lot cleaner pumping fluid through with a pump rather than squeezing inverted bottles. I believe Napa Auto Parts has the metal syringe style pump for about $13.