Rear Driveshaft

Special tools and workshop equipment required

Counterhold toolT10172 with adaptersT10172/6

Removing

-- Place selector lever in position "N".

-- Check whether there is a factory marking (colored marking) on rear driveshaft and at driveshaft flange. If not, identify position of driveshaft CV joint -arrow A- to driveshaft flange at rear final drive -arrow B- with paint.

Fig 1: Identifying Mark On Driveshaft Flange & Rear Final Drive

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Remove bolts at rear final drive/rear driveshaft connection; leave one bolt installed hand-tight.

Fig 2: Removing Lower Bolts For Rear Driveshaft At Rear Final Drive

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Use the counterhold toolT10172 with the adaptersT10172/6 to do this REAR DRIVESHAFT .

-- Remove bolts REAR DRIVESHAFT .

Fig 3: Counterhold Tool T10172 With The Adapters T10172/6

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Use the counterhold toolT10172 with the adaptersT10172/6 to do this.

NOTE:

A second technician is needed to hold the rear driveshaft to avoid damage from bending it.

-- Remove bolts -2 to 7- and remove tunnel bridge.

Fig 4: Installed Position of the Tunnel Support

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Remove bolts -1- and -8- at driveshaft center bearing bracket.

-- Remove rear driveshaft.

-- Position rear driveshaft with center bearing bracket facing upward.

NOTE:

The round hole -arrow- on tunnel bridge faces in direction of travel.

Refer to REAR DRIVESHAFT

Install in reverse order, paying attention to the following:

NOTE:

Always replace driveshaft bolts.

To avoid imbalance, driveshaft and driveshaft flange must be installed on rear final drive so that factory markings or markings applied later on driveshaft CV joint -arrow A- and driveshaft flange at rear final drive -arrow B- align.

Fig 5: Identifying Mark On Driveshaft Flange & Rear Final Drive

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

If a new driveshaft is installed and factory marking on driveshaft flange at rear final drive is no longer visible, install driveshaft in any position. If droning noises occur when driving, remove rear driveshaft from flange at rear final drive, rotate one hole relative to flange and attach again.

If droning sounds can still be heard, the rear driveshaft can be rotated from rear final drive and rotated back in offset by one hole a total of 5 times.

Tightening Specifications

Component		Nm
Rear driveshaft to	Transfer Case	30 + 90° ¹⁾²⁾
Rear driveshaft to	Rear Final Drive	30 + 90° ¹⁾²⁾
Driveshaft center bearing bracket to body		20
Tunnel bridge to body		60
¹⁾ Replace bolts. ²⁾ 90° correspond to a quarter turn.