Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Seal and Grooved Ball Bearing For Left Drive Flange, Replacing



Seal and grooved ball bearing for left drive flange, replacing


Special Tools and equipment






- VW401 thrust plate
- VW402 thrust plate
- VW407 punch
- VW412 punch
- VW681 extractor lever
- 32-109 driving sleeve






- 2040 press tube
- 3384 assembly mandrel
- VAG1306 drip tray
- VAG1358A - oil siphoning unit

Remove left drive flange

- Loosen bolt drive axle/wheel hub while the vehicle is still standing on its wheels.
- Remove wheel.
- Removing left drive axle, refer to Drive Axles, Bearings and Joints - Axle Shaft Assembly - Service and Repair - Procedures Service and Repair
- Place VAG1306 drip tray underneath.






- Remove oil filler plug (arrow) and syphon off at least 0.5 L gear oil from final drive using VAG1 358A.

Note: Oil must be siphoned from final drive, otherwise there is a risk that the gear oil could mix with the ATF.

- Remove heat shield for left drive axle.
- Remove Speedometer Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS), refer to Powertrain Management - Computers and Control Systems - Vehicle Speed Sensor - Service and Repair - Procedures Service and Repair
- Remove harness connector bracket from mounting bracket for drive flange.






- Remove drive flange mounting bracket (arrows).
- Pull out drive flange.

Note: The left drive flange can be pulled out between body and subframe with the transmission installed if the drive flange mounting bracket is turned approximately 60° to the right against the installed position.

Removing seal






- Remove circlip for grooved ball bearing (arrow A).





- Press drive flange out of drive flange mounting bracket.
- Remove drive flange seal using VW681 extractor lever.

Removing grooved ball bearing






- Press grooved ball bearing out of mounting bracket.

Installing grooved ball bearing






- Press new grooved ball bearing into mounting bracket.

Installing seal

- Coat outer edge and sealing lip of oil seal with gear oil.






- Drive in new seal to stop, without canting.
Installation position: The open side of the seal faces the transmission.






- Set Speedometer Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) -G22-on drive flange (arrow).
Installation position: The carriers at drive wheel must engage in grooves of drive flange

Note: If necessary, coat contact surface with grease to affix drive wheel in installation position.






- Press mounting bracket with grooved ball bearing onto drive flange.






- Insert circlip (arrow A).

Installing left drive flange






- Replace O-ring (arrow B) in drive flange mounting bracket.






- Check drive flange for sharp edges on transmission side of flange end and if necessary, deburr.
- Insert left drive flange into transmission.

Note: When sliding in, left drive flange must be carefully guided by hand to prevent damage to the double seal in transmission.

- Install drive axle, refer to Drive Axles, Bearings and Joints - Axle Shaft Assembly - Service and Repair - Procedures
- Install heat shield for left drive axle.
- Checking oil level in front final drive.

Tightening torques