Rear Final Drive, Removing and Installing

Rear final drive, removing and installing
Special tools, testers and auxiliary items
^ Universal support V.A.G 1359/2
^ Engine/transmission jack V.A.G 1383 A

Removing
- Remove rear section of exhaust system (rearward of exhaust pipe clamp(s)):
- Remove heat shield above driveshaft.





- Check whether there is a factory marking (paint spot) on the driveshaft. If not, mark the position of the driveshaft flange -A- in relation to the rear final drive (arrow -B-) with paint.
- Unscrew bolts from driveshaft flange.





- Secure driveshaft to parking brake cable bracket with wire.

Note: If it is not possible to push the driveshaft up and off the flange, lower the final drive before tying up the driveshaft. When lowering the final drive, prevent the driveshaft from dropping down, and do not bend the center joint further than the maximum angle permitted, Refer to Drive/Propeller Shaft, Service and Repair
- Disconnect left and right-hand drive axles from rear final drive.





- Support final drive with transmission jack V.A.G 1383 A and universal support V.A.G 1359/2.
- Secure final drive with a strap.





- Unscrew bolts (arrows) on front cross member for rear final drive.
- Disconnect front cross member.





- Unscrew securing bolts -B- and -C of rear cross member on rear final drive.
- Lower final drive on transmission jack.

Note: The cross member -1- need not be removed.

Installing
Installation is carried out in the reverse order, when doing this observe the following:

Note:
^ Always replace self-locking nuts.
^ It is essential to clean out the locking fluid remaining in the threads in the drive flange on the rear final drive after the driveshaft. Otherwise, there is a danger that the new bolts will seize when they are screwed in and then shear if they have to be removed later.
^ The threaded holes can be cleaned with a thread tap.
^ Replace gasket between driveshaft and drive flange (pull off backing foil and stick gasket onto drive flange). Surface must be free of grease.
^ Replace driveshaft bolts (self-locking).





- Raise final drive with transmission jack until both drive axles can be connected.
- Lightly tighten securing bolts for drive axles.
- Lift final drive and bolt to cross member and final drive support.
- Bolt on driveshaft, Refer to Drive/Propeller Shaft, Service and Repair.





Note:
^ To prevent imbalance, the flanges on the driveshaft -A- and on the rear final drive -B- must be installed so that the paint markings are in alignment (arrows).
^ After removing the driveshaft from the rear final drive, the additional balance disk (thick washer) that may be located between the lock plate and the bolt head must not be reinstalled. Always replace all flange bolts after disassembling.
^ Replace driveshaft bolts (self locking).

- Check gear oil in rear final drive








Tightening torques