Transmission and rear differential upgrades/maintenance time!

[The_Auto_Tech]

Center differential/transmission/clutch

Inspect transmission mounts for leaks and wear
034 Motorsport street density transmission mounts (includes hardware)
Drain and refill center differential/transmission
Audi OEM flywheel resurfaced
Audi OEM flywheel bolts
Audi OEM pilot bearing
Audi OEM RS4 clutch disc
Audi OEM RS4 pressure plate
Audi OEM pressure plate bolts
Audi OEM throwout bearing
Bleed and refill clutch master cylinder
USP metal slave cylinder
USP stainless steel clutch line with yellow sheathing
Empi right front CV shaft assembly
Empi left front CV shaft assembly
Audi OEM front left outer CV joint kit

Rear differential

Drain and refill rear differential
Apikol street density rear differential mount
Audi OEM rear differential carrier custom painted
034 Motorsport street density rear differential carrier bushings

There's a few upgrades that I know of that I don't have yet. One would be a short throw shifter. The other ones are ones that I'm still curious about, which would be the 4:1 center diff and an upgraded rear diff setup. The car already has some sort of short throw in it, but I'm not sure which one it is. As far as the 4:1 center diff goes I decided to pass for now due to issues in the snow. Also, I want to upgrade the rear diff but don't think it will be worth the money for me. Looking for some more maintenanace and suggestions at this point. What are you guys using for short shifter setups?

[Seerlah]

JHM Trio Kit. The linkage is what's makes the huge difference. Expensive, but changed the entire shifting experience on my vehicle

[billh_pa]

Question on this one: Drain and refill center differential/transmission
I know there is a drain plug and fill plug for the trans and a drain plug for the diff but, is there a separate fill plug for diff.
Also would you use the same fluid for the trans and the diff. If you wanted to use OEM fluid you could use this part number for both - G 052 911 A2 ?

I will be changing mine shortly and I think I am going to use Fuchs Titan SintoFluid 75W80 gear oil from Scotty.

Thanks

[Mitternacht]

I just recently had a shop take care of my transmission and all 3 diffs. I had them use 4 Liters of Motul 75W90 for all 3 diffs.

[The_Auto_Tech]

I'm currently using Mobil 1 75W90 in my trans and diff. Both are working well.

[jibberjive]

If you're going to put the effort into swapping a CV joint onto an axle, that effort is probably better put on an OEM axle, no? The reason why most go with EMPI is so that they don't have to deal with the CV's separately, but since you are anyways...

[The_Auto_Tech]

If you're going to put the effort into swapping a CV joint onto an axle, that effort is probably better put on an OEM axle, no? The reason why most go with EMPI is so that they don't have to deal with the CV's separately, but since you are anyways...

Oh, I forgot to change that. At one point in time the previous owner had put a CV boot kit onto an old axle and later down the road replaced both front CV shafts with complete Empi assemblies. Currently it has Empi axles in the front. :)

[The_Auto_Tech]

Forgot to add that I know there's flywheel upgrades as well, but I'm starting to hate LWFW setups. I've got one in my GTi and don't think I like it much. The chatter kind of pisses me off. I went with the RS4 clutch for the same reason - wanted something stiff but still nice. Also, it should be able to hold a Stage III setup for a while before it gives out. I'm gonna pass on the rear diff upgrade for now as it's rather pricey for me and the center diff as well. I like the idea for the center diff, but in the reality of driving the car in the snow the stock bias seems a better choice.

I am still curious about the shifter upgrades though. I love how mine feels now but have no idea what it is.

[The_Auto_Tech]

Thinking of going with the JHM trio at this point but am open to suggestions. Also looking for any more ideas on maintenance or upgrades for the tranny. Thanks guys!

[The_Auto_Tech]

I've been reading some mixed reviews on the JHM trio package. Some people say it is too stiff and some say it's perfect. Does anyone know which of these components will make it "too stiff?" My car has some sort of short shift setup on it already but I can't figure out what it is. All I know is that it's much stiffer than my 01 S4 was and much more precise.

As I stated before I've decided at this point to pass on the lightweight flywheel. After driving my GTi for a couple months now the LWFW chatter is annoying to me. I like the smoothness the DMFW provides. Also glad I went with the RS4 clutch at this point. It was very inexpensive, great engagement, and long life. The rear diff upgrade is out of my price range at this time, so I'll stick with what is in there. The center diff is something i've thought about doing as well, but am curious of negative effects when driving in snow (girlfriend drives this car as well). I know upgraded axles are available too, but I'll stick with my lifetime replacement ones from the local parts store as they are free when the boots split, not to mention they are much much cheaper than OEM units. I could also talk about upgrading the tranny, but that will be taken care of once the 1-2 shift collar locks up. I may do TDI 5th and 6th at that time as well. :)

I think that about covers it!