Output Seal Replacement

notorious · #1 23rd September 2017, 07:37 PM

Excellent write up

CaifanSC · #2 30th August 2022, 02:34 PM

Excellent write-up Mikki! Just the info I was looking for. How do you know if you have an updated flange? I'd like to know if I also need to get that rear seal.

The 01 just started leaving trails of nasty brown oil on the ground. I popped it up on ramps, and it's a mess down there. It looks like it's time to do BOTH sides. Fun.

Do you recommend doing the shaft bearing at the same time? From the brief reading I've done so far, It's recommended to do CV boots, but I'm wondering what other items would be recommended while doing the flange seals.

MikkiJayne · #3 30th August 2022, 03:53 PM

These days I just keep the standard seal in, and forget about the updated version. The update makes no difference to the life of the seal. You can't tell whether you have the updated version without taking the flange out, so unless you can get both seals on sale-or-return just get the original since that works with either flange.

I always change the bearing as a matter of course because its cheap and has to come out to do the seal anyway. I see maybe 10% of them which don't need changing.

I don't change CV boots unless they actually need it. Worth noting you don't have to take the suspension apart to get the front shafts out. Take the inner CV heat shield off and with an assistant to hold the steering on full lock, you can move the inner joint forward slightly and then get the outer joint out of the hub past the brake caliper.

CaifanSC · #4 1st September 2022, 04:26 AM

Good info! So, you're saying that one of the axles has to be removed from the spindle to get enough clearance...that means removing the axle bolt that holds it to the spindle. Do you know if the bolt can be reused? Or should I add a new bolt to my parts list?

I hope you don't mind me picking your brain about one last thing....the seal quality. Is there a brand that is recommended or to stay away from? For both front left and right seals, I see OEM VW/Audi, ZF, and SKF. I only see OEM, DPH, and Rein for the rear flange seal.

MikkiJayne · #5 1st September 2022, 06:43 AM

Right hand side you could possibly do by just moving the shaft. I haven't tried it since its easy enough to get the shaft out. Left hand side the shaft definitely has to come out. I reuse the bolts a couple of times - technically they are stretch bolts, but they don't seem to stretch by very much, and 'enough torque to bend a 3' bar' appears to be enough to hold them in.

I don't know about aftermarket seals - I only use the genuine ones, for now. When they run out I may have to look at alternatives.

CaifanSC · #6 1st September 2022, 08:36 PM

Most excellent.

Thanks for the input!!!! A little surprised with the OEM VW prices for the seals. I'm looking at about USD 180 for seals alone. I wasn't expecting to pay the domestic car parts prices I pay for my tbirds, but even the OEM BMW output flange seals for my 8 series are only 20 USD a piece....yep, the CSi decided to sprout a leaky diff, too. How lucky am I!!!

But you gotta pay to play! And I do love to drive this beast.