Notices
997 Turbo Forum 2005-2012
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Manual transaxle and front diff fluid change

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-13-2018, 07:07 PM
  #1  
atm4jim
Advanced
Thread Starter
 
atm4jim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 91
Received 27 Likes on 17 Posts
Default Manual transaxle and front diff fluid change

I'm planning to change gear oil in the manual transmission, AWD control unit and front differential. My car is 2007 997 turbo with oem LSD option and 60k miles. I plan to go with OEM fluids as my research shows some fluids may have issues when shifting when it's cold (such as Mobil Delvac though it's better for the rear LSD). Here is what I'm going to order from Sunset Porscheparts. Please let me know if I have the correct part numbers and if 5 liters are enough and if I'm missing something. Any special fluids for factory LSD rear diff? I should already have the necessary tools and fluid pump.

- 5 liters of Part Number: 000-043-305-49 oem 75w-90 transmission fluid - for the front differential (1.2 liter) and rear transaxle (3 liters) (shared between rear diff and manual transmission)
- 1 liter 75w-80 Mobilfluid LT Part # 000-043-305-40- for the AWD control unit (1 liter)

Another option is going with Fuchs Titan Sintopoid 75w-90 as it's only $14 vs $30 liter. But I'm going with OEM as I don't want possible issue with shifting when cold.

Thanks
The following users liked this post:
moxie (SF) (11-25-2020)
Old 01-14-2018, 11:19 AM
  #2  
Quadcammer
Race Director
 
Quadcammer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Clifton, NJ
Posts: 15,704
Received 1,442 Likes on 835 Posts
Default

Sounds like youre all set
Old 01-14-2018, 01:12 PM
  #3  
Johnny DB
Rennlist Member
 
Johnny DB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Ontario
Posts: 1,988
Likes: 0
Received 137 Likes on 111 Posts
Default

Is that the Porsche recommended fluid for the LSD equipped cars? I thought Delvac was the recommended fluid with the LSD?
Old 01-14-2018, 02:50 PM
  #4  
atm4jim
Advanced
Thread Starter
 
atm4jim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 91
Received 27 Likes on 17 Posts
Default

I've read Delvac is better if you track the car and may help extend the life of the LSD (which I've read is weak). But I've also read several members complaining about difficulty shifting when it's cold (60F) thus is why I'm avoiding it. I've read somewhere the same fluid is used on the transaxle with or without factory LSD. If that's not true, please let me know. Thank you for all the responses.
Old 01-19-2018, 01:04 PM
  #5  
NMBoost
AutoX
 
NMBoost's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I think you need a different fluid for the AWD controller. I used000-043-303-00 Porsche Trans Fluid
Old 01-19-2018, 08:29 PM
  #6  
atm4jim
Advanced
Thread Starter
 
atm4jim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 91
Received 27 Likes on 17 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by NMBoost
I think you need a different fluid for the AWD controller. I used000-043-303-00 Porsche Trans Fluid
The description is the same for both part numbers (Mobilfluid LT 75w80) and that part is no longer available from several sources so it appears it may have been superseded (like with part #999 917 546 00 to 000-043-305-49 for the 75w-90 fluid).

Thanks
Old 01-20-2018, 01:33 AM
  #7  
saabin
Rennlist Member
 
saabin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: DFW, TX
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 0
Received 556 Likes on 365 Posts
Default

I plan to tackle this project next weekend. I have a 07 997TT 6MT w/o LSD & 53K miles. I have done some research and came up with the following parts/fluids. I realize I dont need to replace the plugs and such but I got them anyway in case anything gets damaged during the procedure.


I have ordered these from Sonnen (hardware) & Suncoast (fluids):

Hardware:
900-123-118-30 Connector Pipe O-Ring (Manual tranny drain plug washer)
999-063-008-02 Trans Screw Plug (Manual tranny drain plug)
900-124-014-01 Screw Plug (Front diff drain plug, 2 needed)
900-124-013-01 Screw Plug 2 (Front diff filler plug, 2 needed)

Fluids:
000-043-303-00 Trans Oil - Front Axle Clutch (AWD controller fluid, 1 L) (Sonnen told me this fluid has been superseded to 000-043-305-40)
000-043-204-20L Mobil 1 Mobilube PTX 75W-90 (Manual tranny & front diff fluid, 5 L total) (I think the "L" in the part number is just a Suncoast thing indicating 1 liter, the base part number is a 20L container.)

atm, I never came across your part number you have listed above for the tranny fluid.. Is that what you're supposed to use if it has an LSD? That part # doesnt show up when I search on Suncoast website, but it does show a bunch of hits from google..
Old 01-20-2018, 02:29 PM
  #8  
atm4jim
Advanced
Thread Starter
 
atm4jim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 91
Received 27 Likes on 17 Posts
Default

My understanding from my online searches is that the same fluid is used on cars with or without LSD. Suncoast does list another part number which I believe has been superseded by the part number I listed -https://www.suncoastparts.com/product/99991754600.html

I'm not sure what the differences are between the two, if any. As you mentioned, the part number you list is for the 20 liter size Mobilube PTX 75w-90 which is very similar in specs if not the same as the OEM fluid I listed (?)
Old 01-20-2018, 06:05 PM
  #9  
bondjockey
Racer
 
bondjockey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Hotlanta
Posts: 415
Received 58 Likes on 34 Posts
Default

My car has manual transmission with lsd and had the fluids changed at a Porsche dealer last year. Front and rear diff fluid was 000-043-303 (labeled "trans oil for clutch") and transmission fluid was 000-043-204 (Mobilube PTX). While my car only has 28k miles the service interval is 10 yrs or 100k miles and many of our cars have now hit the 10 yr mark. Good maintenance item to do.
Old 01-27-2018, 12:20 AM
  #10  
atm4jim
Advanced
Thread Starter
 
atm4jim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 91
Received 27 Likes on 17 Posts
Default

I just completed changing the gear oil - the rear transaxle, front differential including the AWD controller/Final drive unit. It wasn't difficult, just time consuming removing all the bottom tray covers. I also had some difficulty removing the fill bolts as they were very tight. I also snapped off a couple of bolts that holds the bottom tray cover as I over tightened them while using a cordless ratchet. The bolts broke off and left a hole so I was able to used screws in its place.

Tools used were 10mm hex for the rear fill and drain bolts, 17mm socket for the front fill and drain bolts, 10mm socket & T25 torx screwdriver to remove the bottom tray covers, and swivel head socket was needed for the AWD controller fill bolt.

I used 3 liters on the rear transaxle, 1liter (spec is 1.2 but I must have drained only 1L) on the front diff and 1 liter on the AWD controller unit (be sure to use the correct fluid as it's definitely thinner that the other). I used the gallon sized fluid pump (quart size is too small) which fits the Porsche oem containers and made the job easy.

I definitely notice that shifting is a lot smoother now and happy with the result. Porsche recommends doing this 12 years or 120k, but I'm glad I've done it sooner.



The Rear fill bolt (10mm hex) on top left and drain bolt (10mm hex, center) (on driver side)





The front diff fill bolt 17mm (top right) and drain bolt 17mm (bottom left)






The AWD controller fill bolt 17mm (directly above the drain bolt, swivel head socket needed) and drain bolt 17mm (left), on passenger side. You can see 2 drain bolts, the right is the front diff and left is the AWD controller.






Use gallon size fluid pump, fits Porsche oem 1 liter containers

Last edited by atm4jim; 01-27-2018 at 12:23 AM. Reason: removed caption on top of post
The following users liked this post:
RockyTop (02-20-2022)
Old 01-27-2018, 12:52 AM
  #11  
saabin
Rennlist Member
 
saabin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: DFW, TX
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 0
Received 556 Likes on 365 Posts
Default

^ Awesome, thanks for the pics.. very timely as I got my fluid delivered yesterday and plan to tackle this job in the AM.

Curious, how many of the underbody panels did you have to remove? Just 2?
Old 01-27-2018, 01:44 AM
  #12  
atm4jim
Advanced
Thread Starter
 
atm4jim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 91
Received 27 Likes on 17 Posts
Default

I ended up removing all of them, starting with the rear and worked my way towards the front, plus 2 side pieces. There are 2 rear pieces, 1 center and 2 side pieces and a front piece. When doing the front diff, you can probably just remove the 1 center pieces and front piece and leave the 2 side pieces but you will still need to remove the bolts on one side, the side towards the inside of the car. I recommend jacking up the car as much as you can to give yourself enough room to work underneath (use jack stands of course). I also spent some time cleaning and used some armor all on the covers

I removed them all as I wanted to see what's underneath and to check for leaks.



I started with the rear most piece





Then the 2nd rear piece





then the 2 side pieces (pic showing 1 side)








then the center piece shown on the floor




then finally the last front piece
Old 02-04-2018, 12:54 PM
  #13  
Mike Murphy
Rennlist Member
 
Mike Murphy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 9,011
Received 1,763 Likes on 1,099 Posts
Default

I just ordered QTY (3) of the 000-043-305-49-OEM trans/diff/lsd oil to replace the oil in my 99 996.

I visually inspected the old oil with my mechanic, and since my trans doesn’t shift that well when cold, and I can feel some of the gears when shifting, not to mention that the red dot the factory leaves on the oil bolt needed to be broken to remove it, we both agreed to replace the fluid and see how it affects the car.

I have read different lifetime and oil change intervals on this oil. Some say every two years, some say 50,000 miles or 4 years. If this fluid has been in my car for 18 years, I’ll just shake my head and hope for the best.
Old 02-08-2018, 11:22 AM
  #14  
Johnny DB
Rennlist Member
 
Johnny DB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Ontario
Posts: 1,988
Likes: 0
Received 137 Likes on 111 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by murphyslaw1978
I just ordered QTY (3) of the 000-043-305-49-OEM trans/diff/lsd oil to replace the oil in my 99 996.

I visually inspected the old oil with my mechanic, and since my trans doesn’t shift that well when cold, and I can feel some of the gears when shifting, not to mention that the red dot the factory leaves on the oil bolt needed to be broken to remove it, we both agreed to replace the fluid and see how it affects the car.

I have read different lifetime and oil change intervals on this oil. Some say every two years, some say 50,000 miles or 4 years. If this fluid has been in my car for 18 years, I’ll just shake my head and hope for the best.
Did you notice any difference?
Old 02-08-2018, 01:52 PM
  #15  
Mike Murphy
Rennlist Member
 
Mike Murphy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 9,011
Received 1,763 Likes on 1,099 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Johnny DB
Did you notice any difference?
There’s a delay on the shipment, so I’ll have to report back in 1-2 weeks or so. My suspicion is that I won’t notice a difference


Quick Reply: Manual transaxle and front diff fluid change



All times are GMT -3. The time now is 05:56 PM.