5000S differential/tranny recall

["Kevin J. Morris" <kmorris@sover.net>]

-- [ From: Kevin J. Morris * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] --

My '86 5000S sits in the garage, lonely and ill.  I bought it a couple of
years ago at 76k.  Had auto. transmission fluid changed at 86k (preventive
maintenance).  At 95k, I noticed some discoloration of the auto.
transmission fluid.  A local garage specializing in Audis (not an Audi
dealer, however) told me the seal between the transmission and differential
was shot, so I had it replaced (twice, actually, before the transmission
shop they subbed it out to did it right).  At 111k, however, the
transmission fluid level is low and discolored again.  

I've talked to another transmission shop and my local Audi dealer and both
say (with the usual cavaets about not being sure until they pull it apart)
that there must be something in there that is causing the seal to fail --
possibly a bad bearing.  I hadn't noticed any driveability problems, but
then I don't dare drive it now until the problem is corrected, for fear of
_really_ screwing things up.  Since I don't have $2000 in spare change lying
around to get this fixed, it's sat in my garage for the past 3 months,
wounded and forlorn. :-( 

In the 2 or 3 weeks that I've been subscribing to the Quattro Digest, it's
become clear to me that I'm not alone.  Seeing that a few lucky souls
managed to get their transmissions replaced, _free_,  :-)  (supposedly under
recall?) by Audi, I decided to contact Audi of America.  

They mentioned a recall #GS, having to do with the differential, but said it
had already been completed on my car.  They said that there were supposed to
be two follow-up maintenance items done at 15k intervals from the original
recall, and those had _not_ been done -- consequently, if there was any
damage connected with the recall, Audi would _not_ foot the bill for any of
the repairs. :-(

All of this raises several questions in my mechanically-challenged mind:

1) What is the nature of the differential recall, and would it have any
effect on the transmission failures often experienced by Audi owners?

2) Is anyone familiar with the 15k follow-up maintenance cited above?  What
does it involve? 

3) Is there any point in further whining to Audi for free transmission
repairs, or should I just shrug my shoulders, max out my credit card and pay
to get it fixed? 

Sorry for the length of this post... thanks for any and all replies!
--
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Kevin Morris         ---      kmorris@sover.net

"Ce n'est pas que j'aie peur de la mort.  Je veux seulement
 ne pas etre la quand elle arrivera." (Woody Allen)
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