Drive Axle

Drive Axle

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

• Remover (T10103)

• Remover (T10103/1)

• Wheel Hub Support (T10149)

• Fitting Tool (T10206)

• Socket XZN 32 (T10209)

• Torque Wrench (V.A.G 1332)

• Engine/Gearbox Jack (V.A.G 1383 A)

• Torque Wrench (V.A.G 1331)

• Torque Wrench (V.A.G 1601)

• Vehicle Diagnostic Tester (VAS 5051B)

Removing

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

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.

Vehicles with a Steel Spring Shock Absorber






- Loosen the wheel bolts.

- Raise the vehicle.

- Remove the wheel.

- Loosen the threaded connection - arrows - between the steel spring shock absorber - 1 - and the coupling rod at the wheel bearing housing.

- Install the block of wood between the subframe - 1 - and the upper rear transverse link - 2 -.






- Press the axle down with a block of wood.

- Remove the bolt.

Vehicles with an Air Spring Shock Absorber

- Activate the vehicle lift mode and place the vehicle on the lifting platform. Refer to => [ Front Axle, Lifting to Curb Weight Position ] Front Axle, Lifting to Curb Weight Position.

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

- Loosen the wheel bolts.

- Raise the vehicle.

- Remove the wheel.

Continuation for Both Vehicles

- Turn the wheel hub until one of the holes for the wheel bolts is on the bottom.

- Set up the tools as shown in the figure.






1. Remover (T10103/1)

2. (T10103)

3. (T10149)

4. (V.A.G 1383 A)


- Support the wheel carrier.

- Unscrew the threaded connection of the rear upper transverse link - 1 - from the wheel bearing housing.






- Release the connector - 2 - from the parking brake motor of the electro-mechanical parking brake and disconnect.

- Unscrew the tie rod - 3 - from the wheel bearing housing.

Vehicles with an Air Spring Shock Absorber

- Unscrew the threaded connection - 4 - between the air spring shock absorber and the coupling rod at the wheel bearing housing.

Continuation for Both Vehicles

- Loosen the threaded connection - 1 - of the upper front transverse link on the wheel bearing housing.






- Loosen the bolt - 2 - for the lower transverse link and remove.

- Release the connector - 1 - from the rear speed sensor and remove it.






- Unscrew the threaded connection - arrow - of the cable holder - 1 -.






- Detach the harness connector - 2 - from the cable holder.

- Release and remove the connector - 2 -.

- Place the wiring harness with the cable holder to the side.

- Tilt the wheel bearing housing with the (V.A.G 1383 A) upward.






1. (T10103)

2. (T10103/1)

3. (T10149)

4. (V.A.G 1383 A)


- Press the drive axle out of the internal gearing with the (T10103/1).

- Ensure sufficient freedom of movement of the joints during the pressing-out operation by tilting the wheel bearing housing further upward.

- Tilt the outer joint out of the wheel hub.

- Secure the drive axle to keep it from falling.

- Remove the drive axle - 1 - at the transmission flange - 3 - with a plastic-coated assembly lever - 2 -.






- Remove drive axle.

Installing

Install in reverse order of removal. Note the following:

- Before assembling, coat the outer joint gearing with assembly paste (G 052 109 A2).

• Remove any paint residue and/or corrosion on the outer joint threads/splines.

- Insert a new securing ring into the groove of the inner CV joint.

- Bring outer and inner splines of joint piece and transmission into engagement.

- Push the drive axle into the joint piece to the stop.

- Now push the joint piece with one jerk onto the transmission inner gearing.

• Never use a hammer or mallet!

- Make sure the joint piece fits securely. The joint pulls against the resistance of the circlip.

When checking, only pull on the joint piece and not on the drive axle.

- Install the outer joint as far as possible into the wheel hub splines.

- Lower the wheel bearing housing.

- Tools for removing the wheel bearing housing.






1. (T10103/1)

2. (T10103)

3. (T10149)

4. (V.A.G 1383 A)


- Pull in the drive axle.






1. (T10206)


- Tighten the threaded connections at the wheel bearing housing by hand.

Vehicles with a Steel Spring Shock Absorber






- Install the block of wood between the subframe - 1 - and the upper rear transverse link - 2 -.

- Press the axle down with a block of wood.

- Loosen the bolt - arrows - between the steel spring shock absorber - 1 - and the coupling rod at the wheel bearing housing.






- Tighten the threaded connection by hand.

Continuation for Both Vehicles

• Only bolt the wheel bearing housing if the dimension "a" is reached. Refer to => [ Front Axle, Lifting to Curb Weight Position ] Front Axle, Lifting to Curb Weight Position.

- Tighten the threaded connections on the wheel bearing housing.

Vehicles with an Air Spring Shock Absorber

- Fill the rear air spring shock absorber using the (VAS 5051B).

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

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

Tightening Specification