Gearbox sump bolts

[Nobbsy]

Afternoon all, decided to change oil and filter in transmission today. Got a kit genuine ZF kit from auto doc with new magnets, o rings and gasket, had seen some from other suppliers with sump bolts. I can see why now! 3 were already round before i started, managed to get them out with a little heat and butchery. Good news was fluid all clear and no rubbish on magnets, bad news i have to source new bolts. They appear to be t27 torx and 27mm long and there's 26 of them. Had a look online and there are some crazy prices , anyone know if there is an alternative? Worst case, i have a spare gearbox that i could borrow some bolts off but would be good to replace them.

[Shoppinit]

Why don't you just get some hex socket from Accu? They are just metric thread bolts.

[Nobbsy]

They do look like m6 bolts, was checking as they have a taper on the end and don't want to bugger the casing. Some places are £3-£4 a bolt, god only knows what audi would want!

[Nobbsy]

look like this,

[Nobbsy]

Something like this ?
https://www.accu.co.uk/cap-head-screws/ ... M6-25-12-9

[Shoppinit]

I'd be worried that they'd corrode too quickly. Think I'd go for the zinc plated versions.

I thought they were smaller than M6, but you can soon check by measuring.

[Mɐʇʇ]

I believe they are M6 x 23mm. If you are replacing with your own ones, you'll need socket head, not hex head - if I were replacing mine now (I actually DID replace all mine with OEM a few years back) I'd also consider stainless, and you'll need 26 of them. But why not just go with this - if I were replacing mine again, I'd probably just use these :
https://www.autodoc.co.uk/metzger/13820734

[Nobbsy]

Cheers, your search seemed to work better than mine. Will just order those, will work out expensive though as i had a pair of front discs in my basket
Had thought about the stainless but was concerned they would seize in aluminium.

[Mɐʇʇ]

I always lookup the part number separately and then search based on part number - compatibility guides are always just a guide, they're not the bible. So ultimately loads of bits fit the RS that are not listed in the compatibility guide.

Re. Stainless - it's all a bit oily down there, although if in doubt a bit of perfect seal on the threads and they'll never seize in. (I have a boat too - lots of stuff is stainless bolts into ali)

[Nobby]

Some of mine were rounded so I’ve bought about 10 from autodoc. Not used them yet though - servicing the gearbox when it gets a bit less damp outside.

[Nobbsy]

Oddly enough, the bolts in my 'spare' gearbox that is awaiting a rebuild are like new. Will borrow a few of those and replace them when auto doc deliver my order. Hopefully get the sump back on and refilled with oil tomorrow. Any tips? have Vagcom and filling adapter.

[Shoppinit]

Have you familiarised yourself with the procedure?

[Nobbsy]

I think so, service kit came with instructions with gearbox temp, running through gears etc.

[Shoppinit]

Plenty of time to get it all in before it gets up to temp. First time I did mine I was trying to squirt it all in as fast as possible then waited for ages for the box to finish. I’m sure there’s a massive innuendo in there somewhere.

[Nobbsy]

All done! Seemed to go well, managed to get 6.5l back in there which seemed a lot considering the threads that i have read. Maybe because it was on the ramp with the sump off for a couple of days, all those drips add up.Far too damp and muddy for a test drive but all seemed fine in the workshop.