Axle Flange Seal, Removing and Installing

Axle flange seal, removing and installing, 01M, 4 Spd. A/T

Special tools and equipment:

^ VW 391 Axle shaft appliance
^ VW 681 Oil seal extractor
^ 3109 Puller
^ 3319 Thrust piece
^ VAG 1331 Torque wrench
^ Kukko 18/0 Puller

When replacing right-hand oil seal





- Remove sound insulation tray (arrows).
- Remove right hand inner constant velocity joint protective cover from engine if installed.
- Unbolt axle shaft from drive flange.
- Place axle shaft to one side and secure.
- If necessary remove right-hand axle shaft

When replacing left-hand oil seal
- Loosen wheel bolts with vehicle standing on its wheels.
- Raise vehicle.
- Remove wheel.





- Remove left-hand sound insulation (arrows).
- Unbolt axle shaft from drive flange.





- Remove pendulum support from subframe (arrows).
- Mark installed position of ball joint bolts on left-hand control arm and remove bolts.





- Remove bolts (arrows).





- Remove left coupling rod -1- from control arm and turn coupling rod upward.
- Swing wheel bearing housing outward.
- Guide axle shaft out between subframe and transmission. Push engine/transmission assembly forward to during this step (2nd technician).
- Lift axle shaft and secure to suspension strut with wire.

Continued for both oil seals
- Pierce sealing cap in drive flange with a screwdriver and pry out.





- Mount installation tool and remove circlip.





- Pull off drive flange with VW 391.
- Pull out drive flange oil seal with VW 681.





- Pull off drive flange for triple roller axle shaft.
- Bolt puller Kukko 18-D to flange using two 8x35 mm bolts and 8 mm diameter washers.
- Pull out drive flange oil seal with VW 681.





- Pull new oil seal in onto stop with press piece 3319, M10 threaded rod (approximately 80 mm long) and nut with washer.
- Fill space between sealing lip and dust lip with multi-purpose grease G 052 182 A1.
- Insert drive flange, dished washer and circlip.





- Pull drive flange in.

Note: Drive flange can also be pulled in with VW 391.

- Install circlip and seal drive flange with cover.
- Bolt ball joint to control arm.
- Secure coupling rod to control arm.
- Install axle shaft.
- Mount wheel.
- With transmission installed, check final drive oil level.
- Install sound insulation tray.

Tightening torques
Coupling link to control arm.