So after taking the under tray off to service the car I notice a leak from the transfer case or the shaft seal. At first glance it looks like it will be a time consuming job to get at it. 
 

I did notice recently that when I am cruising sometimes when coming off or on the accelerator slightly I can hear a slight clunking noise that at first sounded like it was coming from the rear of the car. But now after seeing this leak I am wondering is it related. 
 

so has anyone come across a similar issue with the leak or noise. 
 

any tips? 
 

cheers. 
 

I know the reply is late...But after having the differential oil changed at an independent garage in October 2024. Mine started making a slight drone noise between 10 and 14mph as soon as i left the workshop i put it down to tyre noise!!

It sounded like it was coming from the rear, the tyres were unevenly worn too...I did initially chase it and had a lead in time to get it back in to be looked at after 2½ weeks time from leaving the workshop.

Life got in the way and I never took it back with a view to investigating in April 2025 when she was on the ramps and having an underbody check and video, that they do for cash for me on the side, during my DIY service periods.

She never made it to April...in February 2025 she made a lot of noise on a very short trip about 10 miles that sound like a bag of bolts suddenly at mileage 9.5...limped to place where I was going and went to reverse into a space and reverse gear failed, nothing would work and I blocked the road, wouldn't even move in neutral. Recovered home and then recovered to that independent garage later the following week.

Initially they said the rear differential had failed...I argued about this as I'd had all oils changed (lifetime rear diff oil...no such thing in my head, haldex oil, DSG oil and lifetime front differential oil) at the same time, as I was having the main engine rear oil seal replaced as that was leaking!

I then said I want a second opinion from the actual owner of the garage and all the oils analysed as even though the correct oil had been purchased and supplied i had visions of them putting Haldex oil in there or draining the wrong part and had left it dry. They did that and I paid for analysis, still waiting for them results to come back.

I wasnt happy to just replace a £7k rear differential new before labour charges and also they were hard to obtain even if I wanted too. Noone wanted to repair the parts on them (diff specialists) as they couldn't source the parts from TPS or other VAG sources and they weren't cost effective for the parts they could.

After listening to me requesting a second opinion the owner and the no.2 man there, went out together to try and replicate the fault and they did numerous times and then said it was coming from the front!

From here it was determined the front transfer box had failed i instructed them to open it up, which they did and found that it had started destroying itself...See video link below.

https://vv2u.co/jPKSwk

It hadn't grenaded like they do on the A3 and S3 and blew a hole in the casing but it was still damaged and not working anymore. They've blamed the draining of the old oil had dislodge something and possibly caused a bearing or a tooth to hit on another bit of metal and destroy itself.

Im now looking for a second hand part as we speak and for someone to consider repairing this one at a price for me.

By the way I didn't have the leak...just the noise, oil was still in there.

G

Edited 13 March, 20251 yr by G1980
Last paragraph added about having no leak just a noise!

Check oil level in bevel box. Metal parts etc. Even better, open it up and inspect bearings and races.

If good, reseal with new bearings and new oil. Should be 850ml total. Or, buy a new used one if damaged. Rare fault but do happen. Extremely costly to buy new. Replacing is some work, but doable for a diy with knowledge and tools. I have replaced 2 transferboxes and opened up both. Takes some time yes. But better spending 300gbp than 7-8000 gbp fpr a new incl labour.

This is good advice.

There are no new transfer boxes available within the UK according to TPS and no known date when they shall be obtaining any.

Also the current second hand market for one is not great for availability. The price varies from £300 to £1,200...Need to check why the x2 over £1,000 are that price. Average is about £600 now from my frantic search to obtain one.

I do have a contact that can source completely refurbished ones for £1,200 that have been pulled apart bearings, seals and oil replaced. However I have a strong suspicion this is outside of UK.

As specialists are all commenting that finding spare parts to refurbish my current transfer box is both incredibly hard with regards to the supply chain for parts and cost effectiveness of said repair.

This is one repair to get on top of, if you suspect there is a problem.

If it is your transfercase that I think your wife posted in skoda group facebook? That transfer case looked shattered. Aka you will need a replacement or new. Is it possible for you to buy from Norway? Or sweden? There are many used ones here, but maybe shipping will destroy budget.

Hey bud...

Haven't looked into Sweden or Norway just yet, wouldn't know where to start...

Shipping will not bother me to much. Obtaining the part to get her on the road is more important.

Shipping is a necessity and cannot be avoided so it does not play too much of a deciding factor, when the quality of the part itself is more important.

Thanks G

Edited 18 March, 20251 yr by G1980
Grammar errors