Wishbones, Gearbox and diff oils and audi dealer advice??

[Pappa583]

Getting a price from a few garages to change lower wishbones as he bush has started to part? So im told by garage..... also told audi genuine are £350 ish per side just for the part!!  Got a price from vag specialist who is bound to be cheaper than audi dealer but still £775 for both sides.....

Anyway phoned audi dealer and requested a price to make me feel like I was getting a bargain but also asked for price to do diff oils and gearbox oil which other garage has priced for. Gearbox they say would just be a 4 ltrs out and 4 ltrs in so not quite a full pan off and total change £300+, maybe better than not changing any?  Diffs quoted £190 for oil change, I thought maybe pricey for whats involved tbh.... might do diffs myself. Gearbox not so keen to do as I read about the valve and getting to temperature to allow accurate measurement of filling etc etc.....

Suprised when audi dealer came back and said at 39k miles not to do either oils as they are "sealed for life"? Still awaiting audi price for wishbones.....

It's a 2016 so not sure if the gearboxes have different specs as I know pre 2015 seems a few vids on changing these pans out. Even vag independent said only of there had been an issue identified and leaking oil would they drop it off.....

[Magnet]

Hello Paul

Wishbone ‘started to part’ on a 2016 model? ‘…..so I’m told….’.

Personally, I would want a second opinion on this from an independent source, or a thorough personal inspection, before renewing these wishbones at this time. A caveat maybe if the vehicle has covered a higher than average mileage, or has been used under rougher than normal terrain for the model. 
If indeed they need changing, I would go with a good aftermarket brand, such as Lemforder, bought at most competitive price from sellers on eBay etc. 
Gearbox oil? Strangely, I had thoughts yesterday that I should be considering changing the oil on our 168K, 16 year old A3! Car has been owned from new, and it’s never been changed to date. Not sure if that helps. Caveat - yours is also manual -? If auto, worth factoring this in within the next couple of years. 
Differential? Pardon my ignorance, but Haldex system? If so, could be worth considering. Search for a trusted transmission specialist and talk with them. 
Once the vehicle is out of warranty, all things maintenance is not Audi dealer or even an independent, but a trusted local knowledgeable source. 
Hope some of this help.

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Pappa583]

1 hour ago, Magnet said:

Hello Paul

Wishbone ‘started to part’ on a 2016 model? ‘…..so I’m told….’.

Personally, I would want a second opinion on this from an independent source, or a thorough personal inspection, before renewing these wishbones at this time. A caveat maybe if the vehicle has covered a higher than average mileage, or has been used under rougher than normal terrain for the model. 
If indeed they need changing, I would go with a good aftermarket brand, such as Lemforder, bought at most competitive price from sellers on EBay etc. 
Gearbox oil? Strangely, I had thoughts yesterday that I should be considering changing the oil on our 168K, 16 year old A3! Car has been owned from new, and it’s never been changed to date. Not sure if that helps. Caveat - yours is also manual -? If auto, worth factoring this in within the next couple of years. 
Differential? Pardon my ignorance, but Haldex system? If so, could be worth considering. Search for a trusted transmission specialist and talk with them. 
Once the vehicle is out of warranty, all things maintenance is not Audi dealer or even an independent, but a trusted local knowledgeable source. 
Hope some of this help.

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

Excellent advice, cheers. The wishbones have been hanging round my thoughts since I had it serviced at the vag independent shortly after buying. Did find it shocking that not even 40k miles and such an expensive maybe unnecessary repair was suggested. Gearbox and diff definatly need to seek specialist advice. 8 speed auto box changes with no issues and probably spending money that I don't need to so gonna do some further investigation.

 

[Magnet]

Hello again Paul,

Yes, I would certainly have the wishbone bushes checked by another garage at some point in the near future. Has it been through an MOT since you bought it, or will it need to be MOT’d in the next 6 months? This may give you reassurance/ second opinion. 
Auto boxes and oil changes? Forget my comments on manual boxes! 
Auto gearbox oil changes are recommended although not necessarily specified, but I would have thought that 40k would be rather premature - perhaps 75 K, but there may be sounder opinion to follow on here. Age can also be a factor, but again I don’t think it would bother me at  this stage. Diff. Oil - same.

In effect Paul:- get a second opinion on the serviceability of the wishbones.

Only do your homework on the gearbox and diff. at this stage, advance of having to do something in say the next couple of years. Gearbox oil and filter change estimate sounds reasonable, but ‘part change’?? - sounds odd. 
Just give everything a good coat of thinking about, but not spending on at this stage! 
Good luck and kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Pappa583]

On 9/24/2022 at 12:05 PM, Magnet said:

Hello again Paul,

Yes, I would certainly have the wishbone bushes checked by another garage at some point in the near future. Has it been through an MOT since you bought it, or will it need to be MOT’d in the next 6 months? This may give you reassurance/ second opinion. 
Auto boxes and oil changes? Forget my comments on manual boxes! 
Auto gearbox oil changes are recommended although not necessarily specified, but I would have thought that 40k would be rather premature - perhaps 75 K, but there may be sounder opinion to follow on here. Age can also be a factor, but again I don’t think it would bother me at  this stage. Diff. Oil - same.

In effect Paul:- get a second opinion on the serviceability of the wishbones.

Only do your homework on the gearbox and diff. at this stage, advance of having to do something in say the next couple of years. Gearbox oil and filter change estimate sounds reasonable, but ‘part change’?? - sounds odd. 
Just give everything a good coat of thinking about, but not spending on at this stage! 
Good luck and kind regards,

Gareth. 

Hi Gareth, 

I've found a specialist gearbox eng company and apart from being around for 60 odd years they have brilliant reviews and speaking to them gives more confidence on they know what their talking about.  No partial gearbox oil change, full 9 litres changed, gearbox oil pan off fitting new pan, gasket and full service, transfer box and both front and rear diff. Fully serviced drive train package but more work costs more..... about £900 for everything They did recommend a service at around 40k miles, but did say could get away with just the gearbox. May aswell get it all done if I decided to pay.....

Wishbones definatly getting second check.... 

[Magnet]

Hello Paul,

To get straight to the point- what exactly is now going to cost you £900 - the gearbox service, plus a normal service, and renewing the wishbones?? Or just the gearbox service?.

Has some independent experienced person inspected the wishbones yet, and declared them to require attention in the immediate future? 
Apologies, but I’m a bit lost with this thread.

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

 

[Pappa583]

52 minutes ago, Magnet said:

Hello Paul,

To get straight to the point- what exactly is now going to cost you £900 - the gearbox service, plus a normal service, and renewing the wishbones?? Or just the gearbox service?.

Has some independent experienced person inspected the wishbones yet, and declared them to require attention in the immediate future? 
Apologies, but I’m a bit lost with this thread.

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

 

Hi Gareth

Not had the wishbones checked yet, I'm away working offshore so just trying to get info and prices for the gearbox and diffs really. And also a general feel for whats really required from a drivetrain maintenance point of view as I don't just want to pay for something that isn't needed for another 10k or 20k miles? Have been reading the gearbix isnt needed and are pretty bullet proof, maybe get the diffs done only? Engine service has been done a few months ago which is where the original wishbone issue came about, the vag independent garage told me they suggested the wishbones be changed (they called them banana bushings which I'd never heard of before). Ends up the part they refer to is the lower control/wishbone. But they are still to be checked.

Back to the gearbox and diffs, emailed a local highly rated gearbox specialist and this is the reply

full driveline service for your vehicle, which includes an 8HP65 Automatic gearbox service and oil changes to the front diff, transfer box and rear diff for £799+VAT (£958.80 inc VAT). For just a gearbox service we charge £499+VAT (£598.80 inc VAT). All parts used are ZF OEM

Above includes the replacement of the gearbox pan so full change/service not just an oil flush. 

cheers Paul 

[Magnet]

Many thanks Paul,

I still think you are being unnecessarily premature in getting the gearbox and differential fluids renewed on a 6 year old, sub 40K vehicle, and I stand by the principal of the earlier post where I would have thought 75K ( or say 8 years) would have been more acceptable. 
However, I would welcome additional views from other forum members. 
Having said that Paul, it’s your money, and you must do with it what you may. 
Costings? For gearbox change, I thought around £400 was about the ball park, but things have increased in price - but to £600? 
Again, others may have more up to date experience to go with. 
If this were mine, I would be more inclined to follow the wishbone replacement requirement/not yet required as my priority.

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Pappa583]

42 minutes ago, Magnet said:

Many thanks Paul,

I still think you are being unnecessarily premature in getting the gearbox and differential fluids renewed on a 6 year old, sub 40K vehicle, and I stand by the principal of the earlier post where I would have thought 75K ( or say 8 years) would have been more acceptable. 
However, I would welcome additional views from other forum members. 
Having said that Paul, it’s your money, and you must do with it what you may. 
Costings? For gearbox change, I thought around £400 was about the ball park, but things have increased in price - but to £600? 
Again, others may have more up to date experience to go with. 
If this were mine, I would be more inclined to follow the wishbone replacement requirement/not yet required as my priority.

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

Hi Gareth 

I agree, To be honest I have been swaying to the same conclusion. Wishbone check tomorrow when I get my wheels off and tryes balanced gonna have a good look and foe the gear train service, as you say I was also expecting a few views  from a few experienced forum members giving their thoughts and advice maybe even experiences? 

It's not that I have spare money to waste, just realise prevention is better than cure and certainly cheaper in long run..... but don't want to just do it for the sake of it if its not needed.

Maybe another 10k before i spend it 😊 

thanks again

paul