Drive Axle

Drive Axle

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

• Tensioner Hooks (VW 552)

• Torque Wrench (V.A.G 1332)

• Torque Wrench (V.A.G 1601)

• Bits (T10099)

• Remover (T10103)

• Adapter Plate (T10103/1)

• Wheel Hub Support (T10149)

• Ball Joint Puller (T10187)

• Fitting Tool (T10206)

• Socket, Nominal Size 1.26 in (T10209)

• Vehicle Diagnostic Tester (VAS 5051B)

Removing

Vehicles with an Air Spring Shock Absorber

- Activate the vehicle lift mode and place the vehicle on the lifting platform. Refer to => [ Vehicle Lift Mode ] Description and Operation.

Continuation for All Vehicles

- Loosen the 12-point nut for the drive axle on the wheel hub. Refer to => [ Drive Axle Twelve-Point Nut, Loosening and Tightening ] Service and Repair.

The wheel bearing must not be under a load while the drive axle threaded connection on the wheel side is loose.

If the wheel bearings are under the load of the vehicle's own weight, the wheel bearing will be damaged. This reduces the service life of the wheel bearings.

The 12-point nut may only be loosened a maximum of 90° when the vehicle is resting on its wheels.

Vehicles without a drive axle must not be moved, otherwise the wheel bearing will be damaged. If a vehicle must be moved, be sure to note the following:

• Install an outer joint in place of the drive axle.

• Tighten the outer joint to 150 Nm.

- Loosen the wheel bolts.

- Raise the vehicle.

- Remove the wheel.

Vehicles with an Air Spring Shock Absorber

- Bleed the air spring shock absorber with the (VAS 5051B).

Continuation for All Vehicles

- Attach the (VW 552) - 1 - to both sides of the vehicle in the upper opening of the wheel housing and the upper control arm.






- Slightly pretension the control arm so that the control arm ball stud is not damaged.

- Disconnect the drive axle from the front final drive.

- Loosen nut of track rod ball joint, but do not unscrew yet.






To protect thread, screw nut on pin a few turns.

- Remove the tie rod from the wheel bearing housing and remove the nut.

1. (T10187)


- Remove the upper brake line bracket - 1 - from the wheel bearing housing - arrow -.






- Pull the harness connector - 1 - and cable out of the bracket - 3 -.






- Remove the bolt - 2 - and the lower line hose bracket - 3 - from the wheel bearing housing.

- Press out drive axle.






1. (T10103/1)

2. (T10103)


- During the pressing-out operation, ensure sufficient freedom of movement of the joints.

- Turn wheel hub far enough until one of the holes for wheel bolts is on top.

- Install (T10149) with wheel bolt.






- Loosen the nut on the conical pin, but do not unscrew yet.






To protect thread, screw nut on pin a few turns.

- Press out the upper control arm and unscrew the nut.

1. (T10187)


- Unscrew the bolt - 1 - for the shock absorber - 2 - on the control arm.






- Unscrew the threaded connection - 1 -.






- Pull bolt out of lower control arm.

- Lower the wheel bearing housing far enough so the drive axle can be removed.

- Remove drive axle.

Installing

Install in reverse order of removal. Note the following:

- Insert outer joint as far as possible into wheel hub splines.

- Pull in drive axle until stop using (T10206).






- Remove (T10206).

- Loosen the 12-point nut for the drive axle on the wheel hub. Refer to => [ Drive Axle Twelve-Point Nut, Loosening and Tightening ] Service and Repair.

- Install the wheel and tighten the wheel bolts. Refer to => [ Wheel Bolt Torque Specification ] [1][2]Specifications.

Tightening Specifications