Drive Axle

Drive Axle

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

• Engine and transmission jack (VAG 1383A)

• Torque wrench (VAG 1576)

Removing

• The drive axle can only be removed from the rear final drive in the control position.

- Place the vehicle on a hoist. Refer to => [ Positioning Vehicle on the Hoist and on its Wheels ] Positioning Vehicle on the Hoist and on its Wheels.

- Remove the wheel covers, remove the cover cap on light alloy wheels (removal hook in vehicle tool kit).

- Loosen the bolt - arrow - only 90 degrees, otherwise the wheel bearing will be damaged





CAUTION!
When loosening and tightening the bolt, the vehicle must sit on its wheels.

-risk of accident-

- Remove the wheel.

- Install all 5 wheel bolts and tighten by hand.

- Engage the electrical parking brake.

- Remove the drive axle bolt.

If the electrical parking brake cannot be engaged, a second technician is needed for this step:

- Mechanic 1: Sit in the vehicle and press the brake pedal.

- Mechanic 2: Remove the drive axle bolt.

If the bolt is loose or removed, the wheel bearings must not be loaded.

If the bearings are loaded by the vehicle's own weight the wheel bearing will be damaged. The wheel bearings will be stressed and the life expectancy reduced.

If it should be necessary to move a vehicle whose drive axle has been removed, then before doing so, install an outer joint in place of the drive axle and tighten it to 200 Nm, or else the wheel bearing will be damaged.

- Remove the drive axle cover bolts - 2 - and cover.





- Remove the bolts - 1 -.

- Remove the brake caliper wiring harness connector - 1 - from the retainer and disconnect it.





- Remove the brake caliper and secure it on the body.

• Secure the brake caliper to the body with wire.

• Do not allow the brake caliper to hang from the brake line.

- Remove the brake pads from the brake carrier.

- Disconnect the threaded connection - 1 - between the coupling rod and trailing arm and remove the brake line bracket - 2 -.





- Fold the coupling rod back.

• The drive axle can only be removed from the rear final drive in the control position.

- Remove the air spring damper from the track control arm and tilt it back (control position). Refer to => [ Wheel Bearing Housing, Raising to Control Position to Tighten Bolts ] Procedures.

- Remove the retaining loop - 1 - bolt from the retainer and rotate the loop - 1 - forward.





- With the wheel bearing housing raised, press the exhaust pipe down slightly - arrow B - and slide the drive axle - 2 - inward - arrow A - far enough so the wheel hub can be removed.

- Lower the wheel bearing housing over the (VAG 1383A).

- Pull the drive axle back diagonally between the stabilizer bar - 1 - and the trailing arm - 2 - and remove - arrow -.





Installing

Installation is performed in the reverse order of removal. Observe the following when doing so:

- Tighten the bolts/nuts on components with bonded rubber bushings by hand. Raise the wheel bearing housing to tighten the bolts/nuts. Refer to => [ Wheel Bearing Housing, Raising to Control Position to Tighten Bolts ] Procedures.

- Insert the drive axle between the stabilizer bar - 1 - and the trailing arm - 2 - opposite the - direction of the arrow -.





- Insert the drive axle in the wheel hub as far as the stop.

- The wheel bearing housing must be lifted into the control position to install and tighten the bolts. Refer to => [ Wheel Bearing Housing, Raising to Control Position to Tighten Bolts ] Procedures.

- With the wheel bearing housing raised, press the exhaust pipe down slightly - arrow B - and slide the drive axle - 2 - onto the transmission flange shaft.





- Install the retaining loop - 1 - and engage the exhaust pipe.





- Align the holes in the drive axle and the transmission flange shaft with each other, install the bolts - 1 - and tighten. Refer to - item 19 - in => [ Air Spring Damper, Wheel Bearing Housing and Wheel Hub and Bearing Assembly Overview ] Rear Suspension.





- Insert the cover, install the bolts - 2 - and tighten. Refer to - item 17 - in => [ Air Spring Damper, Wheel Bearing Housing and Wheel Hub and Bearing Assembly Overview ] Rear Suspension.

- Install the brake caliper.

- Place the brake line bracket - 2 - on the threaded connection - 1 - between the coupling rod/trailing arm.





- Tighten the bolt - 1 -. Refer to - item 25 - in => [ Stabilizer Bar, Track Control Arm, Tie Rod, Coupling Rod, Connecting Link, Trailing Arm and Level Control System Sensor Assembly Overview ] Stabilizer Bar, Track Control Arm, Tie Rod, Coupling Rod, Connecting Link, Trailing Arm and Level Control System Sensor Assembl.

- Follow the instructions for further assembly. Refer to => [ Working after Adjusting Control Position ] Procedures.

- Engage the electrical parking brake.

- Tight the drive axle bolt to 200 Nm.

If the electrical parking brake cannot be engaged, a second technician is needed for this step:

- Mechanic 1: Sit in the vehicle and press the brake pedal.

- Mechanic 2: Tighten the drive axle bolt to 200 Nm.

- Install the wheel and tighten.

- Place the vehicle on its wheels. Refer to => [ Positioning Vehicle on the Hoist and on its Wheels ] Positioning Vehicle on the Hoist and on its Wheels.

- Tighten the drive axle bolt to specified additional torque angle of 180°.

CAUTION!
When loosening and tightening the bolt, the vehicle must sit on its wheels.

-risk of accident-