[tomstheword]

Front diff needs replacing. Took it to a gearbox specialist after reading here that VW won't repair anything, only replace with new. The shop tried to order a set of gears to overhaul it and was told they could only get a complete new unit for ....

$7500! Plus installation!

Current one didn't even make 100,000 km. The shop has sourced a second hand one and can install it for about half, still crazy expensive.

Anyone else had an issue like this?

 

[catalystgod]

well that sucks! but it seems like a one off issue. I have not heard of that part being weak in anyway. Still sucks though given the dollar figures involved.

 

[pilottim]

How did it break? What symptoms did you have?

 

[tomstheword]

Had a high pitched whining noise, initially it was only while doing over 110 km/h and easing off the gas/decelerating. This has been going on for several thousand kms all the while gradually getting worse. Can hear the noise at most speeds over 50 km/h regardless. At 110 it is quite horrible.

Mechanic thinks it's gears but won't know until they open it up.

 

[noobytoogy]

Someone on here had their front diff rebuilt for a few hundred bucks by a transmission specialist. Just new bearings and seals I think.

Has your mechanic drained the oil and inspected it for any metal?

Then refilled it with fresh oil to the correct level?

 

[tomstheword]

No, nothing like that, but it is something very wrong. I have had a scout through the forums and the only similar problem was Coloneltom who described the exact same symptoms as mine is having.

I am still hopeful that it could be something simple like bearings and once it is off, the shop can replace the broken parts and we can on sell it to recover some of the cost. They seem to think it sounds like a worn crown gear (is that the right term?) though and sounds impossible to get any spares other than the bearings and seals.

I received a very fair quote from these guy's including postage (halfway around the world) and if we hadn't found a second hand diff with warranty locally I would be getting one from them eBay My World - gopa-shop Someone else here posted the link originally.

I shall post here once it is fixed.

 

[noobytoogy]

Hope it goes as well as it can. Good luck.

 

[tomstheword]

$4200 for a second hand diff installed

 

[Jimbuffalo]

I had VW replace mine. Failed at 110,000 miles. Got new replacement VW part ($2900 USD) plus labor. I kept the old one thinking it might be useful to someone some day...and have heard you can get new gears for the insides and rebuild it.

Not pleased, but I am hopeful that I don't encounter other expensive failed bits for awhile. I still like the car and it still looks pretty good for a 2005.

Dealer mentioned they've not seen it as a problem before...whatever. Paid "the man" and moved on. If anyone wants a used whining front diff, PM me and make an offer.

 

[noobytoogy]

Yours isn't the first as you can see: not common, but not unheard of.

Someone did claim a year or two back to have had their diff rebuilt for a couple of hundred bucks. Hard to believe but if anyone knows better . . .

 

[johnsc2]

Had mine replaced at around 86K..It whined at 68-72mph with light accel..

 

[catalystgod]

Yours isn't the first as you can see: not common, but not unheard of.

Someone did claim a year or two back to have had their diff rebuilt for a couple of hundred bucks. Hard to believe but if anyone knows better . . .

That's cheap!