Final Drive?

Hello,

Ive got a 91 Golf Clipper auto and it has recently developed a near on constant whine. It tends to be worse at higher speeds and doesnt seem to change in tone with gear changes. It only does it when the car is moving - be it under acceleration or coasting, even down hill.
Took it to a garage at lunch the REALLY helpful mechanic muttered about final drives always going no them and its probably that. Didnt seem particulary interested so thats all I managed to get out of him.

Does this sound right? Any ideas on how difficult a job it is and cost wise for a replacement part?

If it needs replacing, it would mean splitting the auto box. It might be saveable with a fluid change - on the auto, the final drive oil is separate from the auto transmission fluid, and probably gets neglected etc. I'd change the fluid and see how things go.

Cheers Paul. Refilling it looks pretty straight forward in Haynes. Ill have a go over the weekend.

It says to use EP90 Hypoid oil. Does that sound about right?