bstone

Looks like my front passenger side axle seal is leaking.. I've done this before on other cars, but just wondered if anyone has any advice or special knowledge doing this on a 97 A6 Quattro...

Rusty Spokes

When you say front axle seal..are you talking about the output shaft at the transmission, the outboard hub area or maybe the CV joint boots?

bstone

It looks to be the output shaft at the transmission. The CV boot looks fine, and it isn't grease, it's definitely fluid.

Rusty Spokes

Looks like on the passenger side it is simple..pull the axle (that may not be so simple if it won't swing out of the way to get to the flange..that axle can be fiddly to remove completely) then remove a long allen bolt..remove the flange and replace the seal part number 01F409400

Here is a Russian picture repair..you do not need to remove the internals to replace the seal.https://www.drive2.ru/l/3073566/

bstone

Thanks, Rusty. I need to look at it again, but assuming that based on the first picture, the axle itself bolts to the flange with 6 bolts- so theoretically could this be done without removing the whole axle and just unbolting it from the flange? I think I read somewhere that someone did it that way- maybe on Quattroworld...

Rusty Spokes

Could be possible without removing the axle..I don't remember how much "swing" there is to get the axle clear of the flange.

bstone

Thanks Rusty- any advice on transmission fluid? Also- do you think it's best to do a flush on the tranny since I'm sort of down there anyway doing the seal?

Rusty Spokes

I would not do a "flush" maybe a drain a re-fill with a new filter. The A6 transmissions seem to be very durable. The correct ATF level is checked based on temp and running..a fiddly process under the car that should be done from time to time.

If you drop the pan and change the filter, you can use Pentosin ATF1 (Amazon) or Maxlife synthetic ATF (most parts stores)..the filter and pan gasket can be had from FCPeuro