Ok  found a post from 2004.  Missed the first change at 300-600 miles.  Need 17mm hex wrench or socket.  So what gear oil do folks recommend.  And any tricks to doing it right and without a mess.

I have never done a vw but doing a subie is a piece cake … first loosen the fil screw .  Then empty the oil and for fun you could measure what is in it and check the bottom plug for shavings …

What tranny fluid to use ?  Call your tranny builder and ask him what is in it now as if you like how it performs now why change it.  I really like Swepco

A swingaxle takes 2.8 pints if it's empty(new fill). Swepco is good, Amsoil, Redline also. There are others. Use 75w90 or 80w90. Buy 2 quarts, which is 4 pints.

I like conventional oils, they leak less. But some have had success with synthetics.

When doing a swing trans, I like to keep the wheels on the ground, it lets you fill it the way it will be run. The angle of the axle tubes matters for fill volume. They are usually angled up a few degrees.

I usually get it good and hot, then let it drain into a pan overnight. Refill the next day, don't forget to clean the magnetic drain plug before you replace. No sealant is needed, make it snug, don't overtighten.

Sam and Dave (sounds like a singing duo from the 1950’s) over at Rancho recommend LAT 80-90 wt gear oil.  They included it with my rebuilt/upgraded transaxle so I used it for half a season and found that it lets the gearbox shift really easily but I found it to be a little noisy, especially in 3rd and 4th gear, so I drained it out and filled it with Valvoline Hypoid Gear Oil 80-90 wt and that quieted things down nicely, but it’s a tad harder to shift.  Not a big deal, as I’m never in a hurry to “speed shift these days.

I like Motul. I use mineral Gearbox 80w/90 in the Spyder. I tried the synthetic I use in the 968 and Smart transaxles and it didn’t like it.

fwiw: I’d check with Rancho. LSDs may use a different lube. I know my 968 has a different spec for the limited slip transes.

@Gordon Nichols. After I tried the Motul synth that I already had and it sucked, I did the same: Valvoline 80W/90. Slow/sluggish shifts. I bit the bullet and ordered the mineral Motul and it shifts like butter. I wouldn’t know noisy, I can’t hear anything over my exhaust.

Thanks guys. Man I love this site.

I wonder what the e-car will do without a list like this... Oh yeah plug it in

@550 Phil....i did my initial transaxle gear oil change at around 700 miles....when new these freeway flier rancho units sound like a bag of rocks.....after 11K miles it is much less noisy ....but you still hear it....just nature of the beast...a good suggestion not mentioned here , probably no secret.....out on 4 jack stands on a level plane ...make SURE you can remove fill plug before draining.... to avoid a real ROH, ROH moment....then after draining as completely as possible....fill a 5 gallon bucket with HOT water and put the 3 bottles needed to fill  transaxle in the HOT water for awhile...it will flow wayyyy easier 

The limited slips in the Rancho tranaxles are torsen gear differentials (Peloquin or Quaife), so they don't require different oil or friction modifiers like a clutch type limited slip units.

This??

MOTUL MOTYLGEAR 75W-90

Specially recommended for gearboxes which are hard to shift and/or noisy gearboxes.
All mechanical transmissions, synchronised or non-synchronised gearboxes, gearbox/differential, transfer gearboxes and hypoid differentials without limited slip systems, operating under shocks, heavy loads and low revolution speed or moderate loads and high revolution speed.

@El Frazoo posted:

This??

MOTUL MOTYLGEAR 75W-90

APPLICATION

TRANSMISSION LUBRICANTS

QUALITY

TECHNOSYNTHESE

PRODUCT RANGE

CAR

API STANDARDS

API GL-4, API GL-5

PACKAGING

1L

ARTICLE NUMBER

109055 ; 100093

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET

No. That’s the synthetic. The mineral-based is Gearbox.

The stuff you posted is what I use in the Porsche and Smart. The Spyder didn’t like it.

ps: There’s a lot of back and forth on The Samba about modern  synthetic gear lube and the phosphorus bronze synchros in VW transmissions. I don’t know anything about that. I just know my “sample size: 1” survey my trans is a lot smoother with the GearBox than the synthetic Motylgear.

they list a 90PA as mineral.  I have a freeway flyer in my speedster . . .

Went with 2 of these.  Finishing a bad stretch of work and call.  I'm ready.  Thanks guys.  So great to have this kind of resource.  I don't have to do it wrong a couple of times before I get it right.  You guys have already done that. 

Yeah, we’re really good at doing $#!+ wrong.

At least someone benefits from it……….

After break-in the scheduled maintenance is every 30K miles. Valvoline is good as is Castrol and Lucas. I try to stick with GL-4 spec.

will go with Gearbox, was hoping to find it locally but will order on the net.  Amazon??

GearBox is black -- has moly in it, says here.  Sure hope it works.  It meets the basic SAE specs -4 and -5 so has to be right -- right?  Trans was working just fine, so far as I can tell, so hope it keeps on doing so.  Shifted real good before ... Also see new post  "Trans Broke?" about how this "simple" maintenance issue has gone a little sideways.  Spent most of yesterday searching for a 17 mm hex key.  Did finally snag one at Harbor Freight.

@El Frazoo posted:

will go with Gearbox, was hoping to find it locally but will order on the net.  Amazon??

That’s what I do. I used to get all my Motul from a supplier in CA that gave me great deals, but he closed up shop. (Took on a “partner,” 6 months later he was out of business. Go figure.)

I can’t remember where I get my 8100 X-cess. I buy it in 20L drums, but the Amazon prices on gear lubes are generally better, and with Prime I get free shipping.

I did find it locally, turns out, @ CarQuest.  guys there are really great.  Had it delivered to the store same day.  I have not stumped these guys yet.

@DannyP posted:

A swingaxle takes 2.8 pints if it's empty(new fill). Swepco is good, Amsoil, Redline also. There are others. Use 75w90 or 80w90. Buy 2 quarts, which is 4 pints.

I like conventional oils, they leak less. But some have had success with synthetics.

When doing a swing trans, I like to keep the wheels on the ground, it lets you fill it the way it will be run. The angle of the axle tubes matters for fill volume. They are usually angled up a few degrees.

I usually get it good and hot, then let it drain into a pan overnight. Refill the next day, don't forget to clean the magnetic drain plug before you replace. No sealant is needed, make it snug, don't overtighten.

Note- All Type 1 transaxles (4 speed- swingaxle or irs) takes 2.8 U.S. quarts (5.3 U.S. pints- orange Type 1 Bentley manual- chapter 10, page 13).  You fill to the bottom of the fill hole.

@El Frazoo posted:

I did find it locally, turns out, @ CarQuest.  guys there are really great.  Had it delivered to the store same day.  I have not stumped these guys yet.

How much was it if you don’t mind? CarQuests are the rarest chain here, but there are a few.

I know neither O’Reilly’s or Autozone (the two most common) don’t carry any Motul.  

There’s an indie sport car place (mostly Brit) that’s a dealer, but he never has anything in stock. I think he’s just a dealer to get dealer pricing (like I was until Chuck went belly up).

@ALB posted:

Note- All Type 1 transaxles (4 speed- swingaxle or irs) takes 2.8 U.S. quarts (5.3 U.S. pints- orange Type 1 Bentley manual- chapter 10, page 13).  You fill to the bottom of the fill hole.

Thanks, AL. We should've adopted the metric system.

@DannyP posted:

Thanks, AL. We should've adopted the metric system.

Some of have.

About the only thing I still do in SAE is MPG.

Yup. 2.8 quarts. Had to pick up another quart from advance auto parts. It’s amazing how much metallic particles are on that magnet on the plug. Shift feel and noise I haven’t  noticed a difference in the first 50 miles of driving. Thanks for all the great advice.

I think if it was me, and I’d driven 2,000 miles on the original lube, I’d change it again soon to try and rinse as much of that swarf as I can out.

I put in cheap oil from NAPA or Tractor Supply then change out for good stuff after 300 miles or so. And dump it hot, don't know if that helps but it's what I do.

If you don't burn your fingers a little, you're not doing it right!

The Motul GearBox 80-90 stuff was about $12.00/l at CarQuest.  Can order on line for about the same.  They don't stock it locally, but got it in the store the same day, warehouse must be in Baltimore somewhere.  Ordered in the morning, there by noon. Stuff is black or very dark grey.  Has moly in it. I have driven it so far about 200 mi, some of that pretty sporty.  If I told you I noticed a difference, I'd be lying. So, tranny  was working just fine before and just fine after. That's the best I can tell you.