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Old 12-29-2010, 08:17 PM
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Default Rear Diff fluid

Ok I'm kinda lost in when to change the fluid.

Some people say to change every 100,000km others say u never really need to change it. What does audi recomend. I can't seem to find it anywhere,
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Old 12-29-2010, 08:31 PM
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Default Re: Rear Diff fluid

I just spent some time searching through the forum because I can remember a post outlining the different intervals for changing items such as diff fluid, spark plugs etc. Just can't seem to locate it right now. I do know that nothing lasts forever and the diff fluid will break down over time.

Let us know if you find the information.
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Old 12-29-2010, 08:39 PM
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Default Re: Rear Diff fluid

Originally Posted by tml
Ok I'm kinda lost in when to change the fluid.

Some people say to change every 100,000km others say u never really need to change it. What does audi recomend. I can't seem to find it anywhere,
Not sure of schedules but the fluid that VAG cars use is:

Part#: G 052 145 S2 (SAE 75W-90 API GL-5)

EDIT: A good rule of thumb (for me atleast) is to change the diff fluid whenever you change the ATF. That's what we usually do on our cars, Audi or not!

Last edited by mksu19; 12-29-2010 at 08:53 PM.
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Old 12-29-2010, 09:08 PM
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Default Re: Rear Diff fluid

hmm ok.. I guess I should ask @ what interval you guys here on the forum are changing it?
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Old 12-29-2010, 09:43 PM
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Default Re: Rear Diff fluid

There is no change frequency for gear oil because it is typically listed as a long life fluid and is designed for extended use. It really comes down to how hard you drive the car and how extreme the conditions are. Roughly speaking anywhere between 48,000 to 96,000 kms depending on how you drive is more than enough and this is roughly 2 - 4 years average driving.

That is interesting about the gear oil for me coming from the VW end because most of the VW cars use G50 gear oil which is synthetic 75W/90 but it is GL-4 instead. There are more options for GL-5 gear oil so you can always try a different brand and see how it works. I found no difference between the factory stuff and Royal Purple so I don't think it will always matter.

Given the year of your car it may be time but you will want to first check for leaks. There is no point in changing the gear oil if you have leaking or seeping seals on the input flange or side output flanges. The safest bet is usually the factory fluid so if you change it yourself make sure to use OE or better and if you pay a shop to do it make sure they use factory or supply it for them.
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Old 12-29-2010, 10:12 PM
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Default Re: Rear Diff fluid

Originally Posted by Corrado_Guy
...That is interesting about the gear oil for me coming from the VW end because most of the VW cars use G50 gear oil which is synthetic 75W/90 but it is GL-4 instead. There are more options for GL-5 gear oil so you can always try a different brand and see how it works...
Although GL-4 is acceptable, A4 differentials will perform best with GL-5. The GL-4 additives simply do not hold up to extreme pressures as well. Remember that the differential is effectively multiplying the motor’s torque another four times. At redline in 1st gear, the differential is putting over 4,000lb-ft of thrust to the pavement. You want the maximum protection and engagement here.
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Old 12-29-2010, 10:42 PM
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Default Re: Rear Diff fluid

GL-4 and GL-5 are specifications for the oil and they are listed by severity but you can't use any unless it is specified for your car. Using the wrong specification can cause to increased wear or even corrosion so you have to use what is specified by the OEM manufacturer. I rebuilt my computer over the weekend and haven't installed a VM so I can run ELSA but once I get around to that I will check and see what the factory says.
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Old 12-29-2010, 11:07 PM
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Default Re: Rear Diff fluid

may help a little.
Audi Automatic Transmission Fluid - How To Change Audi Transmission Fluid
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Old 12-29-2010, 11:31 PM
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Default Re: Rear Diff fluid

Originally Posted by Corrado_Guy
There is no change frequency for gear oil because it is typically listed as a long life fluid and is designed for extended use. It really comes down to how hard you drive the car and how extreme the conditions are. Roughly speaking anywhere between 48,000 to 96,000 kms depending on how you drive is more than enough and this is roughly 2 - 4 years average driving.

That is interesting about the gear oil for me coming from the VW end because most of the VW cars use G50 gear oil which is synthetic 75W/90 but it is GL-4 instead. There are more options for GL-5 gear oil so you can always try a different brand and see how it works. I found no difference between the factory stuff and Royal Purple so I don't think it will always matter.

Given the year of your car it may be time but you will want to first check for leaks. There is no point in changing the gear oil if you have leaking or seeping seals on the input flange or side output flanges. The safest bet is usually the factory fluid so if you change it yourself make sure to use OE or better and if you pay a shop to do it make sure they use factory or supply it for them.



Thanks. I guess it won't hurt to change it. I'm @ 110 000 now so I guess It would be a good time to change it.
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Old 12-30-2010, 09:53 PM
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Default Re: Rear Diff fluid

Doing things like this never hurt, it allows you to check for any other wear items or leaks and keep on top of things as well as helping extend the life of the differential. Because you are doing the rear diff you should also be doing the transmission as well because it contains a transmission and two differentials so it needs it just as badly. I run a BT set-up on mine so I usually half the factory recommendations so it is oil changes at 4,000 kms (factory big diesel filters only), spark plugs at 8,000 kms (copper core), and timing belts at 48,000 kms.

As these cars get older things will start to wear so it is a good thing to check the car frequently and maintain the car. On top of gear oil you should also be flushing your coolant every 2 - 4 years and flushing the brake fluid every 48,000 kms or two years. On top of this you should also flush your power steering mineral oil every 4 - 5 years because this stuff breaks down over time and use. If you have an automatic you should be flushing the ATF every years or less depending on how the car is used and don't forget to change the strainer. I drove my Corrado which are supposed to be unreliable for 8 years without a problem but I always maintained it. I did the timing chains before they were a problem. I replaced the heater core before it blew and flushed the green coolant out and filled it with G12 before I start to have corrosion issues. I also replaced the head gasket when it first started to weep before it was actually an issue so the car never broke down on me once. It has actually seen a tow truck twice, once when the slave failed (which I replaced just because when I did the head gasket two years before) and once when I forgot my insurance had expired about 3 months previously.
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