Shaft Seal For The Flange/Driveshaft: Removing

Fig 1: Exhaust System Clamping Sleeves

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Rear final drive installed
General repair instructions, refer to REPAIR INFORMATION .

-- Disconnect the exhaust system at the clamping sleeves -1- and -2-.

-- Remove the rear section of the exhaust system. Refer to the appropriate service information .

NOTE:

A second technician is needed to help remove the rear section of the exhaust system.

-- Open the transmission fluid drain plug -arrow- and allow approximately 250 ml of gear oil to drain out.

Fig 2: Opening Gear Oil Drain Plug And Let Approximately 250 Ml Gear Oil Drain Out

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-- Install the drain plug -arrow- and tighten it.

Tightening specification: 30 Nm

-- Remove the driveshaft from the rear final drive. Refer to DRIVESHAFT, REMOVING FROM REAR FINAL DRIVE .

Fig 3: Identifying Mark Position Of Driveshaft Flange To Rear Final Drive

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Audi A8

-- Guide the driveshaft between the fuel tank and the subframe downward toward the rear and attach it on the side.

Audi A4, A5 Coupe/Sportback/Cabrio, Q5

Fig 4: Identifying Crossmember

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-- Remove the front crossmember -2-.

-- Remove the rear crossmember -3- and the heat shield -1-.

Audi A6 and A7

Fig 5: Identifying Crossbrace

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-- Remove the crossbrace -2-. Refer to OVERVIEW - UNDERBODY PANELS .

Continuation for All Vehicles - Except Audi A8

-- Remove the bolts -arrows- for the driveshaft intermediate bearing.

Fig 6: Identifying Mounting Bolts

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-- Lower the driveshaft at the center bearing.

-- Guide the driveshaft between the fuel tank and the subframe downward and toward the rear while doing this.

-- Install the center bearing bolts -arrows- by hand.

-- Tie the driveshaft to the side.

All Vehicles

Fig 7: Identifying Circlip, Removal/Installation

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-- Remove the high temperature grease in the flange/driveshaft.

-- Remove the circlip -arrow-.

CAUTION:

Replace the circlip with a new one of the same thickness if it is stretched or damaged.

-- Mark the position of the flange/driveshaft -B- on the pinion -A- -arrow-.

Fig 8: Locating Mark Position Of Flange/Driveshaft To Pinion

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NOTE:

This marking -arrow- is needed so the colored point -C- on the outer flange remains in its original position.
This ensures the imbalance in the rear final drive will be as small as possible.

-- Install the two M8 x 30 bolts -arrow- in the flange.

Fig 9: Pulling Off Drive Shaft Flange Using Puller VW 391

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-- Remove the flange/driveshaft using the VW 391.

-- Lay a super absorbent cloth -A- under the final drive on the subframe.

Fig 10: Identifying Cloth Under Final Drive On Subframe

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-- Knock through the metal ledge of the seal -A-, for example, with a scriber -B- direction of -arrow-.

Fig 11: Puncturing Metal Cover Using Scriber

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-- Then install a sheet metal screw -arrow- in this opening -A-.

Fig 12: Identifying Screw On Metal Cover

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-- Remove the flange/driveshaft seal -A- in direction of -arrow-.

Fig 13: Identifying Flange/ Driveshaft Seal, Removal

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-B- sheet metal screw