if you are changing gearbox oil, you'll probably need more than 8 litres as you lose some of the new stuff flushing the old stuff out

What's in there already is fresh - was changed 3 years ago so it's only a service change. Capacity is 9 litres incl torque converter and it doesn't need flushing

did you actually need the splined shaft or was that just being changed while the seal was being changed?

It appears I had the old part number listed for the seal

The shaft is redesigned with an additional groove to allow a seal to be fitted with a longer lip, giving a larger sealing face

Car has done 60k with the old design but I figured it was a worthwhile exercise to do both - given the Laird's experience of a recurrent leak using the old style seal that's probably justified the decision to myself, although the 1.7mm install depth seems awfully specific!

Makies are saying that they need the gearbox number to ensure that they get the right parts! Is that right? And how easy/difficult is it to get at that?

It is very easy to find. Put car on ramps. Get under the car. At the very bottom of gearbox flange where it joins with the engine you will see a plate with everything.

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1412258512

Don't know how to get that serial number without getting under the car.

Thanks Sergey

Does the under tray have to be removed as well?

No Jim.

But the gearbox undertray that I've retrofitted needs to be removed :)

TPS should be able to supply part numbers but it's whether zf can convert them into useful info

The shaft came in an Audi box with no zf branding evident. Mine's getting fitted tomorrow :)

Cheers for that Sergey. Just posted a thread asking that very question. On mine, the undertray covers the plate, but I just took a snapshot with my mobile in one hand and a torch in the other.

And here's a snapshot of my 'ramps'.