TheSamba.com :: View topic - Filling transaxle oil while on jack stands?

Tue Sep 21, 2021 9:22 am

Me too. Simple.

Tue Sep 21, 2021 9:56 am

richparker wrote: Cusser wrote: I use a gear oil pump that screws into the container, from auto parts store.

This is what I use as well.

Good method, for sure - I did it that way, when, I was younger... z

Sun Sep 26, 2021 8:01 am

While the engine is in, I just jack up the driver side rear wheel and remove the wheel,put a jack stand under the car and pump in the fluid.

Fri May 09, 2025 8:18 am

Reviving and old post here.
,
I've spent more time changing my swing axle boots than I care to admit. My question is do the boots ever become so filled with oil that they need to be opened up and drained periodically?

Fri May 09, 2025 8:59 am

just put it on and forget it intel they leak again. set the seam at the 10 or 2 O'clock position. some say 9 or 3

Fri May 09, 2025 9:00 am

ekrossi wrote: Reviving and old post here.
,
I've spent more time changing my swing axle boots than I care to admit. My question is do the boots ever become so filled with oil that they need to be opened up and drained periodically?
Nope.

Fri May 09, 2025 9:13 am

Hey, my old thread.

Since I’ve posted this I went to jacking the whole car up so I can fit under it and just pumping in the oil in till it starts coming out the fill hole, just like I do on my bus. Then I move on to something else as posted on the first page.

I’m currently using SuperTech 80/90 GL5 gear oil. It says right on the container that it’s good for yellow metals. I was using STP prior and can definitely feel the difference between the two oils.

Fri May 09, 2025 9:37 am

"can definitely feel the difference between the two oils." as to what? I use GL5 myself. I have read the posts about the yellow metal debate between GL4 and GL5 and its always about the protecting the yellow metal but they forget there is a Ring and Pinion in the trans with some steep gears.

Fri May 09, 2025 10:06 am

I do level on stands or lift, axles down (already mentioned fill is above axles). Fill until dribbles out a little, rotate drum often. Walk away for 20-30 minutes, come back, rotate drum, top off. Should be good after that.

If you want to get a little extra oil in the box:

Jack the drivers (fill side) up just a little allowing the passenger side to be slightly lower. You'll notice the gear level drops below the fill port. Presto, can get another 1/4-ish quart in there if you like.

Fri May 09, 2025 2:42 pm

halfassleatherworks wrote: "can definitely feel the difference between the two oils." as to what? I use GL5 myself. I have read the posts about the yellow metal debate between GL4 and GL5 and its always about the protecting the yellow metal but they forget there is a Ring and Pinion in the trans with some steep gears.

It shifts better.

I run the same oil in my bus.

Mon May 12, 2025 7:54 am

FWIW if people find this thread via google I don't use a pump on my transmission but these bags of transmission oil. Makes it super easy.

-Joe

Mon May 12, 2025 12:10 pm

+1 for Valvoline FlexFill - Bag is wonderful, top is form'd helpfully, and it even has the original German trans oil stink!

Tue May 13, 2025 5:20 pm

I just did this the other day with the Valvoline flex bags. Very easy to use and you can squeeze it into the fill hole from an almost level plane.

Tue May 13, 2025 6:37 pm

Cusser wrote: I use a gear oil pump that screws into the container, from auto parts store.
If using one of these pumps, here's a tip to make the job a little easier: Fill a large pot with water, put it on the stove and heat to a boil. Turn off the flame and place the jugs of oil in the heated water for 15-20 min. This will thin out the oil and make pumping it into the trans much easier, and the job will go quicker too.

Wed May 14, 2025 6:20 am

Well, it was a quick, and really dirty way to do it, but...
I jacked the car up and let the axles hang. Then filled the trans to almost the level of the fill hole, but not quite. Then left the plug out and let the car down. Rolled it back and forth until the axles leveled out. When the oil stopped running out, I jacked it back up enough to put the plug back in.
I told you it was dirty.

Wed May 14, 2025 6:23 am

MrGoodtunes wrote: +1 for Valvoline FlexFill - Bag is wonderful, top is form'd helpfully, and it even has the original German trans oil stink!

Do they sell it in no-synthetic in those flex bags yet? They work really great, but I don't need synthetic for a car that's driven less than 1000 miles a year. The flex bads of synthetic was $20 a quart when I last filled a car.

Wed May 14, 2025 11:33 am

wdfifteen wrote: MrGoodtunes wrote: +1 for Valvoline FlexFill - Bag is wonderful, top is form'd helpfully, and it even has the original German trans oil stink!

Do they sell it in no-synthetic in those flex bags yet? ...
Have not seen such. What I'm doing now is keeping the used bag, but filling it with Redline MT-90; based on this post & posts before it in this thread:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=10382167#10382167

Thu May 15, 2025 10:03 am

indianpeaksjoe wrote: FWIW if people find this thread via google I don't use a pump on my transmission but these bags of transmission oil. Makes it super easy.

-Joe

How many of these bags did it take to fill it up?