Drive Axle, Removing and Installing

Drive axle, removing and installing

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required





^ Torque wrench V.A.G 1331





^ Torque wrench V.A.G 1332

Remove drive axle

- Remove wheel covers, remove cover cap on light-alloy wheels (removal hook in vehicle tool kit).
- Loosen outer drive axle joint bolt a maximum of 90 degrees (only loosen with vehicle resting on wheels - risk of accident -).
- Remove wheel.
- Install all five wheel bolts hand-tight.
- Remove drive axle outer joint screw.
- Remove drive axle from flange shaft/transmission.

If there is not enough room available to remove drive axle, perform following steps:





- Remove nut - 1 -, remove hex bolt and lift out both control links - 2 - upward.

The slits in the wheel bearing housing must not be widened using a chisel or similar tool!

Note:
^ Do not loosen bolts - 3 - and - 4 -, otherwise the adjustment of the front axle will change!

- Swing wheel bearing housing to side.
- Remove drive axle.
- Install drive axle
- Insert drive axle in wheel bearing housing.
- Insert both upper control links, insert new bolt and tighten new nut; while tightening, press control link as far as possible toward wheel bearing housing.
- Fasten drive axle to flange shaft/transmission.
- Fasten drive axle outer joint

Note:
^ When tightening drive axle outer joint to pre-tightening torque specification, vehicle must not come in contact with floor; otherwise wheel bearing can be damaged.

A second technician is needed for next step:

- 1st Technician: Sit in vehicle and operate foot brake
- 2nd Technician: Tighten drive axle hex bolt to pre-tightening torque

Hex bolt M14: 115 Nm

Hex bolt M16: 200 Nm

- Install wheel and place vehicle on floor.
- Turn drive axle bolt an additional 180 degrees. (Only turn additional turn on vehicle resting on wheels - risk of accident -).