Rear Suspension

Drive Axle

Removing

- Loosen the drive axle threaded connection.

• Refer to => [ Drive Axle Hex Bolt Connection, Loosening and Tightening ] Drive Axle Hex Bolt Connection, Loosening and Tightening.

• Refer to => [ Drive Axle Twelve-Point Bolt with Ribs, Loosening and Tightening ] Drive Axle Twelve-Point Bolt With Ribs, Loosening and Tightening.

• Refer to => [ Drive Axle Twelve-Point Bolt without Ribs, Loosening and Tightening ] Drive Axle Twelve-Point Bolt Without Ribs, Loosening and Tightening.

- Remove wheel.

- Remove coil spring. Refer to => [ Coil Spring ] Coil Spring.

- Remove the bolts - 2 - on vehicles with a level control system sensor.






- Remove bolts for the tie rod - 1 - and the lower transverse link - 3 - from the wheel bearing housing - 4 -.






- Remove the bolt - 2 - and washer - 1 -.






The washer - 1 - is installed on vehicles with an aluminum wheel bearing housing.

- Loosen the drive axle on the transmission side.

- Swing wheel bearing housing upward and remove drive axle from wheel bearing splines.

- Remove drive axle.

Installing

Installation is the reverse of removal, with special attention to the following:

- Lightly coat the splines on the outer joint with assembly paste before installing the outer joint into the wheel hub. Allocation, refer to the Electronic Parts Catalog (ETKA).

Tightening specifications, refer to => [ Subframe, Lower Transverse Link, Upper Transverse Link, Tie Rod and Level Control System Overview ] Subframe, Lower Transverse Link, Upper Transverse Link, Tie Rod and Level Control System Overview.

Tightening specifications, refer to => [ Wheel Bearing Housing, Wheel Bearing Unit, Trailing Arm with Mounting Bracket and Stone Deflector Overview ] Wheel Bearing Housing, Wheel Bearing Unit, Trailing Arm With Mounting Bracket and Stone Deflector Overview.

Tightening specifications, refer to => [ Shock Absorber and Coil Spring Overview ] Shock Absorber and Coil Spring Overview.

Tightening specifications, refer to => [ Stabilizer Bar Overview ] Stabilizer Bar Overview.

• Connections to wheel bearing housing may only be carried out of dimension between wheel hub center and lower edge of wheel housing, measured before assembly, is achieved. Refer to => [ Rear Suspension, Lifting to Curb Weight Position ] Rear Suspension, Lifting to Curb Weight Position.

Tightening specification, refer to => [ 100 mm Inner CV Joint ] Overhaul.

Tightening specification, refer to => [ Drive Axle with 82 mm Outer CV Joint ] Rear Suspension.

- On vehicles with electronically-controlled damping (Audi magnetic ride), reprogram the control position using the vehicle diagnostic, testing and information system (VAS 5051).

- Perform headlamp basic setting.