How To Change Rear Differential Fluid

How to change rear differential fluid on MK4 R32 ~ NOT HALDEX! Today we replace the rear differential fluid in the MK4 R32. There is no differential fluid service interval for this car. If you are planning on replacing your differential fluid, be sure to use the right diff fluid or gear oil for your application.

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[Budgettools]

Always open the fill plug first that way you don't empty all your fluids and can't refill it

[MemmeShredda]

A good tip for changing any fluid is to crack loose the fill plug before you drain anything. It’s really crappy when you drain fluid and can’t fill it back up

[pedro-tier]

'You'll know that you have the right amount of fluid in the diff, when fluid starts coming out of the fill hole' Just like Honda drivers puttin oil on the engine!
Keep the great work man!

[gmans]

Thank You Charles. Maintenance is so satisfying. Hey guy's, Race Ramps. I bought the 10" inch Wheel Cribs, 2 piece design. Used them for the first time last weekend working on the GTI and had to use a tool to get the smile off my face. Lower half for simple servicing and if ya wanna get your wrenching on, stack the second half. Friggin Perfect!!

[kottyking]

Gotta love the VW standard of fill it till it spills out. I mean I know they have a proper amount but that's basically it. Haldex is the same way. Great videos as always.

[Westyy]

Another crisp and clear video, keep up the great work! I'll be be able to do all the work on mine when I have my own garage thanks to these great vids! Hats off to you my friend 😁

[stephenprice]

Love that car. That fluid change is going to do the diff the world of good.

[jmjponeill]

Ingenius use of the pump mechanism, can't believe I've never thought of that before.

[jamiebhoy]

Thanks buddy, tried to find the right information for ages and you've helped me out

[chevyons]

I bought a certified Preowned Silverado... while well cared for I still changed every fluid right after I got it... and to my surprise the diffs had never been touched, judging by the color of the fluid that came out!

[Diftonez]

Love this series about your R32!! Looking to buy one mk4 R32 right now, so all of your videos can be very useful! Thanks!

[MJTAUTOMOTIVE]

Hey Charles,
Why would you shake the gear oil. As far as I know gear oil will not separate. Does that OEM fluid have some friction modifiers in it. Also just a tip lossen the fill plug before you drain the oil. Just incase it won't come out . Ask me how I know. Another great video. I love the sound of that thing. Cheers Mark.

[rogerpearson]

Amazing there is no service interval for diff oil or Power steering fluid. Sure it does not get contaminated like engine oil but that sample you drained looks like it has had some temperature which has cooked it. I have experience with truck diffs that regularly run at 100+deg. C in summer and the oil in them goes very dark. I changed the oil in my power steering system on my Ford when it got very slip and stick when cold. The oil looked very watery too and of course the smell. Afterwards, I found a lot of fine sparkly bits that would have been going round and round in the pump and steering box grinding away. Steering was much better afterwards too.

[ravi]

Great video Charles ! Recently did mine on a 2015 Q7., Front, Rear Diffs and transfer case. Was little surprised to see it almost as dark as the one you showed at just 35K. Is it normal to go dark at this little mileage ? I did not see a lot of metal sediments though.

[fredjones]

What’s brother that fluid is for the front bevel box as well??

[CarsSimplified]

How important to do you feel it is to have the car as close to exactly level as you can get it (both left/right and front/back) to get the fluid level right? I always try to get my cars super level when checking any fluid level, but this application seems like having the left to right angle not level could throw the capacity off quite a bit.

[FixinItWithZoeLyn]

I always pour some fresh fluid through it before I put plug in cleans out bottom good video still love that camera

[lostcar]

Do these require lsd additive with non vw 75-90 oil? Mine seems to be chattering. I wonder if vw oil has additive already in it?

[Diftonez]

Also it will be good advice to derail fill plug BEFORE you drain all oil from differential, there is some situation when you just can't unscrew it because of rust or mud or whatever and you no longer have oil in differential and it can be pain in ass.

[ezequielcabreravilanova]

Good day humble mechanic,
I wanted to ask if this will be the same process for a 2004 Audi TT and a 2008 Audi A3 sportback? Both are the 3.2 v6 s-line models. I’ve been trying to search videos showing the difference between haldex service, DSG service, and differential service. New to the whole Audi/VW world. Thank you in advance if possible shining some light to my question.