What swivel housing have I got?

I'm fairly new to this so apologies if it's a stupid question.

I've seen the early ones - with drain, fill and level plugs for oil - and the later ones with a filler plug only for one-shot.

Originally, mine should have had the former (it's a 200tdi) but it's had all kinds of lift/suspension work done before I owned it, so I can't rely on anything being original. I can see one plug only - but it's not where I'd expect to see it. Aren't they normally at about 10 or 11 o'clock (driver's side as you look at it from the axle side)? Mine's much lower, below that very thick bolt running horizontally (sorry, don't know the name of the bolt). I've attached a photo. Anybody know what it's off? Or does it look normal to you?

Many thanks.

Ok. That photo's come out kind of big. If I can fix it I will.

has it got thin drive members and bearing top and bottom, you can tell by seal retainer shape

above is top bush type

above is top bearing type

Thanks James. It's the top one (top bush type).

You should have a smaller square level plug at the other side. It's not unheard of for them to be sheared off. If this is the case, just put a full sachet of grease in and forget about it.

Cheers zeaphod. By "on the other side" do you mean gearbox side? (I thought everything was accessed from the front.) Presumably if there's a level, there'd be a drain as well?

I've seen a few of these but never seen one with the fill cap so "low". Take your point re. filling it anyway. But it would be good to know if I've something non-standard on here.

zeaphod said:

You should have a smaller square level plug at the other side. It's not unheard of for them to be sheared off. If this is the case, just put a full sachet of grease in and forget about it.

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its a std 2000 tdi housing ,one shot grease didnt come in till around mid to late 90s plug is level as well as filler for oil

Cheers, James. That suggests I must have a drain plug somewhere as well? On the other early type ones I've seen, the filler was much higher, nearer the top, and the one for the level kind of pointed in a slightly different direction, more towards the axle. Thanks for your help with this.

OsborneCox said:

Cheers, James. That suggests I must have a drain plug somewhere as well? On the other early type ones I've seen, the filler was much higher, nearer the top, and the one for the level kind of pointed in a slightly different direction, more towards the axle. Thanks for your help with this.

Click to expand...

they do at the bottom,