Checking gear oil level in transfer box (gearbox with separate oil systems) — AUDI

🧭 Before you start

Fits: Audi A8 D3 (4E, 2002–2010)

• Opens: gearbox oil
• Renewed: oil filler/inspection plug
• Also covered elsewhere: Electronic parts catalogue

Don't miss

• Mark installation position of tunnel cross member for gearbox on body.
• Gearbox must be in horizontal installation position when checking gear oil.It must be raised or lowered accordingly using engine and gearbox jackV.A.G 1383 A after removing tunnel cross member.
• Oil filler/inspection plug for transfer box is located on side of transfer box housing and is inserted from below (arrow).Illustration shows sectional view of transfer box from rear side with gear oil level and filler opening.
• The level does not need to be re-checked after this step.
• Always renew oil filler/inspection plug.

📋 Procedure

1. Loosen bolts (2), (3) and (4) and remove rear noise insulation panels.
2. ⚠ When performing the steps below, please note the following:Do not support the gearbox under the oil pan - risk of damage. — Insert a bolt M12x100 (item 1) with attached nut (2) into the mounting hole behind the oil pan on the gearbox.
3. Apply lifting column of engine and gearbox jack V.A.G 1383 A to bolt head as illustrated and raise gearbox slightly.
4. Remove bracket for noise insulation below ATF cooler.
5. If fitted, detach bracket for electrical connectors (1) and (2) for lambda probes from tunnel cross member (arrows).

6. Mark installation position of tunnel cross member for gearbox on body.
7. Remove bolts securing gearbox mountings (left (1) and right (2)) to tunnel cross member.
8. Unbolt tunnel cross member for gearbox from body (arrows).
9. Use engine and gearbox jack V.A.G 1383 A to lower or raise gearbox until it is in horizontal installation position again. [Note: Gearbox must be in horizontal installation position when checking gear oil. It must be raised or lowered accordingly using engine and gearbox jack V.A.G 1383 A after removing tunnel cross member.]
10. Push tunnel cross member as far as possible towards rear so that oil filler/inspection plug (arrow) for transfer box is accessible.
11. Place used oil collection and extraction unit V.A.G 1782 below gearbox.
12. ⚠ Wear safety goggles. — Remove oil filler/inspection plug (arrow) for transfer box. [Note: Oil filler/inspection plug for transfer box is located on side of transfer box housing and is inserted from below (arrow).Illustration shows sectional view of transfer box from rear side with gear oil level and filler opening.]
13. Using hand pump for gear oil VAS 6617, fill gear oil into oil filler hole on transfer box housing until correct level is obtained. For specification, refer to Electronic parts catalogue.
14. Allow excess gear oil to emerge from oil filler hole. [Note: The level does not need to be re-checked after this step.]
15. Always renew oil filler/inspection plug.
16. Screw in new oil filler/inspection plug.
17. Install tunnel cross member (see the separate procedure).

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