Excluding the transmission itself, I believe the center diff (Torsen) takes about a quart, and the rear takes about 1.5 qts. I didn't change the front diff fluid because it doesn't have a drain, only a fill plug.

To change and Fill both the front and center, 3 quarts (or liters) of 75W-90 is enough. (use synthetic) I believe the front capacity is .8 qt., but to suck it out of there would be next to impossible. Just make sure its topped off.

I should mention that the center diff has a specific fill procedure. You top it off once, and it needs to be driven for at least 15 minutes, and then make sure to top it off again. I added a significant amount this second time.


Now for your tranny, you say 5 speed as in manual I'm assuming? That would just be 75W-90 as well, but i'm not familiar with amount and procedure for this.(I have an auto) Unlike the differential info, I'd think this would be easy to find on here using the search function.

EDIT: This whole post is for an Automatic Drivetrain

 

Really?? I believe the tranny, front diff, and torsen all share the same oil, and it all drains out the same spot (~3 qts)

On auto trannys, the front diff and torsen have separate oil from the tranny.

Then there is the drain and refill for the rear diff. (~2 qts)

Yesterday I drained my tranny (B5 A4 quattro) and refilled with 2 qts of Royal Purple Gear Max and 1 qt. of GM Synchromesh, both synthetic 75W-90 tranny oils.

Make sure the oil you use is GL4 rated, as you need this for the brass synchros. Straight GL5 will corrode the brass and cause problems/grinds when shifting.

The RP is both GL4 and GL5 compliant, so you can use it in the rear diff (another 2 qts--ish adds up quick at $20/qt) as well.

 

I believe the tranny, front diff, and torsen all share the same oil, and it all drains out the same spot (~3 qts)

Then there is the drain and refill for the rear diff. (~2 qts)

Make sure the oil you use is GL4 rated, as you need this for the brass synchros.
Straight GL5 will corrode the brass and cause problems/grinds when shifting.

My gearbox is 5-speed manual.

I'm planing to use the RedLine MT-90 transmission oil for my manual gearbox.
http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=46&pcid=7

Tranny should hold around 3 qts,
It depends on the individual tranny,
You need the code off the bottom of the tranny.

The front diff, tranny and center diff all share the same fluid, saw this when I replaced the output bearing in my trans.

My gear box code : DYE

 

Tranny should hold around 3 qts, it depends on the individual tranny, you need the code off the bottom of the tranny.

zak99b5 is correct, they front diff, tranny and center diff all share fluid, saw this when I replaced the output bearing in my trans.

 

The Redline is fine for the tranny. Not sure if it's OK for the rear diff, though. I believe you need a GL5 oil for that.

 

The Redline is fine for the tranny.
Not sure if it's OK for the rear diff, though.
I believe you need a GL5 oil for that.

Why wold not the RedLine MT-90 oil be a good choice for the rear differential ?

 

Look at this page http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=47&pcid=7 It's the Redline GL5 gear oil.

And quoted from the above page:

MTL, MT-85 & MT-90 are not for use in differentials with hypoid gears

.

 

Look at this page
http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=47&pcid=7
It's the Redline GL5 gear oil.

And quoted from the above page: .

But in the 5-speed manual gear box there is also hypoid gears in it !!

 

Okay, I just got pwned. :banghead: Ill edit my post for an automatic.

 

There are two fill plugs and three drain plugs needing to be located to complete this task. The transmission, center differential and rear differential all have drain plugs.

The transmission has a fill plug on the driver side which you will use to fill the transmission and center differential. The rear differential has a fill plug on the passenger side.

You will need ~ 3 liters of 75W-90 synthetic oil for the transmission and center differential (TORSEN). This was dirty (not diesel motor dirty but dark in color) when I changed it at 170,000 km.

The rear differential needs ~ 1.5 liters of synthetic gear oil. This oil was only a slightly darker amber color when I changed it at 170,000 km.

I used the Castrol stuff as it meets VW 501 50 requirements and I have used it in the past on other VW vehicles without problems.

The are only two things you really need to worry about when filling the differentials. First, make sure the car is relatively level and the other is to fill until the oil comes out of the fill hole. The transmission/center differential will need to be checked after bringing the car to normal operating temperature but you shouldn't have to add too much more oil.

I just recently did this on my 6 speed manual 4Motion and it was easy. The only minor aggravation was the unpleasant smell of the gear oil. I was lucky and did not require any special tools. Considering you are dealing with a 5 speed transmission you might need the special "security" plug removal bit to remove the drain plug on the transmission. And remember, remove the fill plugs before the drain plugs. It is always good to know you can refill before you drain. You won't need any suction tools to remove the oil.

Good luck.

 

You will need ~ 3 liters of 75W-90 synthetic oil for the transmission and center differential (TORSEN).
This was dirty (not diesel motor dirty but dark in color) when I changed it at 170,000 km.

The rear differential needs ~ 1.5 liters of synthetic gear oil.
This oil was only a slightly darker amber color when I changed it at 170,000 km.

I used the Castrol stuff as it meets VW 501 50 requirements and I have used it in the past on other VW vehicles without problems.

Over here in Europe the following oil is recomended :

5 & 6-speed Manual Transaxle Gear box in the 4-Motion/Quattro cars :
* Castrol , TAF-X 75W-90
* Mobil , Gearlube VS 200 75W-90


But I can not find any recomendations for the rear differential.

 

I would strongly suggest before draining anything make sure you get the fill plug out.

If you cant get the fill plug out after you've drained it you're screwed because you can't fill it up again.

Just something to keep in mind when you're doing ths.

 

After having talked back and forth with the reps from RedLine OIL
I have decided to use a blend of 50% RedLine MT-90 oil and 50% RedLine Lightweight ShockProof oil in the gearbox/Torsen differential.
( http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=43&pcid=8 )


And in the rear differential I will use the RedLine 75W90 GL-5 Gear Oil
( http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=133&pcid=4 ).


But I still do not know the volymes.....

I have phoned to some VW dealers but none could tell the volymes ?????



.