I believe the wear that Felix describes is only for 1st-gen machines. From what I can tell, the 2nd-gen machines have a hardened output shaft. I didn't notice any wear or metal shavings when I cracked open the gearbox from the 2006 machine I dismantled. Then again, I don't think it had many miles on it. I have yet to try draining the oil from my 2010 (3,800 miles.)
If I remember correctly, the gearbox I opened has helical gears in it. I don't remember seeing any thrust bearings or angular contact bearings, so I may be mistaken. I'll have to go out in the shop and open it back up. I'll take some pics and see if I can get them posted up in here. I kept the oil in a cup for the very reason that Don mentioned. There certainly wasn't very much inside the gearbox, but it kind of seems like a synthetic gear oil to me. Not terribly heavy.
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