My A4 (98/1.8T/Quattro/Automatic) had a transmission leak. I wasn't able to locate it, so I took it to a shop and had them look at it. According to them, the axle seals are leaking as well as the rear wheel output shaft.

The nearest dealer quoted the job at about $850, but before I bite the bullet I wanted to check and see if this was possibly something I could do myself. Advice?

 

Right, well I found a shop in town that is willing to do the work, but the mechanic there claims Audi switched to a different output shaft seal and you can't buy the old type of seal anymore. Instead, you have to buy a new seal and a new flange for an ungodly amount of money. This sound legit? Does anyone know where I could pick up a new output shaft seal of the old type and avoid paying out the **** for a new flange as well?

 

Because it's an auto, you'll be waiting a while for an answer here. This is a question for an Audi dealer parts guy or technician- the new seal/flange thing.