Special tools and workshop equipment required
Removing
- Disconnect the exhaust system at the clamping sleeves -1 and 2-.
- Remove the rear section of the exhaust system. Refer to → Rep. Gr.26; Exhaust Pipes/Mufflers; Overview - Muffler.
Note
A second technician is needed to help remove the rear section of the exhaust system.
- Open the gear oil drain plug -arrow- and allow approximately 250 ml of gear oil to drain out.
- Install the drain plug -arrow- and tighten it.
- Remove the driveshaft from the rear final drive. Refer to → Chapter "Drive Shaft, Removing and Installing from Rear Final Drive".
Audi A8
- Guide the driveshaft between the fuel tank and the subframe downward toward the rear and attach it on the side.
Audi A4, A5 Coupe/Sportback/Cabrio, Q5
- Remove the front crossmember -2-.
- Remove the rear crossmember -3- and the heat shield -1-.
Audi A6 and A7
- Remove the crossmember -2-. Refer to → Body Exterior; Rep. Gr.66; Underbody Panel; Overview - Underbody Panels.
Continuation for all vehicles - except Audi A8
- Remove the bolts -arrows- for the driveshaft intermediate bearing.
- Lower the driveshaft at the intermediate bearing.
- Guide the driveshaft between the fuel tank and the subframe downward and toward the rear while doing this.
- Install the intermediate bearing bolts -arrows- by hand.
- Tie the driveshaft to the side.
Continuation for all Vehicles
- Remove the High Temperature Grease in the flange/driveshaft.
- Remove the circlip -arrow-.
Caution
Replace the circlip with a new one of the same thickness if it is stretched or damaged. Allocation. Refer to the Parts Catalog.
- Mark the position of the flange/driveshaft -B- on the pinion -A--arrow-.
Note
- Install the Two M8 x 30 bolts-arrow- in the flange.
- Remove the flange/driveshaft with the Puller - Multiple Use -VW391-.
- Lay a super absorbent cloth -A- under the final drive on the subframe.
- Knock through the metal ledge of the shaft seal -A-, for example, with a scriber -B- direction of the -arrow-.
- Then install a bolt -arrow- in this shaft seal opening -A-.
- Remove the flange/driveshaft seal -A- in the direction of the -arrow-.
-B- bolt
Installing
Install in reverse order of removal. Note the following:
- Fill the space between the sealing/dust lip halfway with Sealing Grease -G 052 128 A1-.
- Place the new shaft seal -A- on the Seal Installer - Input Shaft - Guide Sleeve -T40222/1-.
Note
Make sure the shaft seal spring is in its installation position behind the sealing lip.
- Coat outer edge of the seal with gear oil.
- Push the Seal Installer - Input Shaft - Guide Sleeve -T40222/1- and the shaft seal -A- onto the pinion -B-.
- Install the shaft seal -A- all the way in.
- Remove the Seal Installer - Input Shaft - Guide Sleeve -T40222/1-.
- Drive in new shaft seal as far as stop without tilting it.
- Position the flange/driveshaft -B- on the pinion -A- so that the marking -arrow- lines up.
- Install the Slide Hammer Set - Adapter 40 - VW771/40- in the threaded hole on the pinion.
- Secure the Retainer - Drive Flange -3028- on the flange/driveshaft using the bolts (M8 x 30) -arrows A-
- Secure the Puller - Multiple Use -VW391- with the bolt (M 8 x 45) -arrow B-. Turn the spindle on the Puller - Multiple Use in the Slide Hammer Set - Adapter 40 - VW771/40-
- Counterhold the spindle on the Puller - Multiple Use -VW391- using a socket wrench and pull the flange/driveshaft all the way in.
Install the circlip -1- as follows:
Note the Following when Replacing the Flange/Driveshaft:
- Install the driveshaft on the rear final drive.
Audi A4, A5 Coupe/Sportback/Cabrio, Q5, A6, A7
- Attach the driveshaft intermediate bearing to the body free of tension. Tightening specification. Refer to -item 9-.
- Install the heat shield and crossmember. Refer to → Body Exterior; Rep. Gr.66; Underbody Trim Panel; Overview - Underbody Trim Panel.
Continuation for all Vehicles
- Check the gear oil in rear final drive. Refer to → Chapter "Gear Oil, Checking Level, 0BC".
- Install the rear section of the exhaust system. Refer to → Rep. Gr.26; Exhaust Pipes/Mufflers; Overview - Muffler.