Drive Shaft, Removing

Drive shaft, removing

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required





^ Torque wrench V.A.G 1331/





^ Torque wrench V.A.G 1332/

A twin pillar vehicle hoist should be used when working on the drive shaft.

Note:
^ Before removing, mark the positions of all parts in relation to each other. Reinstall in identical position otherwise imbalance will be too high which could result in damage to the bearing or in droning noises.
^ Do not kink drive shaft, only store and move when fully extended.





- Remove center sound insulation - arrows -.





- Disconnect exhaust system at double clamp - arrows -.
- Remove rear section of exhaust system.





Vehicles with 4-cylinder engine
- Remove catalytic converters from front exhaust pipes - arrows -.
- If present, remove front exhaust pipe mounting components from subframe.

Vehicles with 6-cylinder engine
- Remove catalytic converters with front exhaust pipes.





Continued for all vehicles
- Remove right rear fuel tank cover - arrows -.





- Remove center shield and exhaust system bracket - arrows -.





- Remove drive shaft tube from flexible disc at front of bevel box (only one of the three bolts is visible here - arrow -).





- Remove pendulum support from subframe (- A arrows -).





- Mark location of CV joint to flange shaft.
- Remove front drive shaft tube from rear drive shaft tube - arrows -.
- Carefully press engine/gearbox forward.
- Carefully remove front drive shaft tube from centering pins on bevel box.





Note: Take care not to damage oil seals in drive shaft flanges on removal and installation.

- Tip drive shaft tube down and remove.





- Check whether a factory marking - arrows - is on the flexible disc and Haldex clutch flange. If not, mark parts in relation to each other.





- Remove rear drive shaft tube with flexible disc and vibration dampener from rear final drive - arrows -.





- Remove intermediate bearing for drive shaft from vehicle - arrows -.
- Carefully pull off drive shaft tube at rear from centering pin.





Note:
^ Do not cant drive shaft when removing, pull off from centering pin in horizontal position. Seal/centering sleeve - arrow - must not be damaged, otherwise drive shaft must be replaced.
^ Flexible disc and vibration dampener cannot be separated from each other.