Rear Final Drive, Removing And Installing, AUDI A4, A5 Coup E /SPORTBACK/Cabriolet, A6, A7: Removing

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

-- Place the vehicle on a lift.

-- Remove the wheel hubcap from the left rear wheel. On alloy wheels, remove the cap using the puller in the vehicle tool kit.

-- Remove the rear wheels.

NOTE:

Do not bend the flex joint in the front exhaust pipe more than 10° or it will be damaged.

Fig 1: Exhaust System Clamping Sleeves

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-- Loosen the clamping sleeves -1 and 2- and disconnect the exhaust system.

-- Attach the front exhaust pipe on the underbody side.

-- Remove the rear crossbrace -1- if equipped. Refer to Exterior Equipment .

Fig 2: Attaching Heat Shield -3- To Body -Arrows-

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-- Remove the rear section of the exhaust system -2-. Refer to EXHAUST PIPES/MUFFLERS for engine code CALA, EXHAUST PIPES/MUFFLERS for engine codes CCBA, CGXC, CTUB, or EXHAUST PIPES/MUFFLERS for engine codes CAED, CAEB, CPMB, CPMA .

NOTE:

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

-- Remove the driveshaft. Refer to DRIVESHAFT BOLTED ON TRANSMISSION SIDE, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the left drive axle heat shield -A- from the rear final drive -arrows-.

Fig 3: Identifying Left Drive Axle Heat Shield

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-- Remove the bolts -arrows- and remove the bracket -1- from the rear final drive.

Fig 4: Identifying Rear Final Drive Wiring Harness Bracket

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NOTE:

Mark the connectors -2- for the Oil Pressure/Temperature Sensor -- and on the Clutch Valves --.

-- Disconnect the connectors -2- from the Oil Pressure/Temperature Sensor -- and the Clutch Valves --.

-- Disconnect the connector -4- from the All Wheel Drive Pump -V415-.

-- Unclip the wiring harness -3- from the final drive and the subframe and tie it up -5 through 7-.

-- Remove the left -1- and right -3- drive axles from the final drive.

Fig 5: Locating Drive Axles And Rear Subframe Bolts

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-- Loosen the bolts -2- approximately three turns.

-- Remove the bolt -4-.

Lower the subframe -1- at the rear as follows:

Fig 6: Identifying Right Rear Subframe Bolt

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-- Remove the right rear bolt that connects the subframe to the body.

-- Install the Bearing Installer - Control Arm 3346 with Control Arm Bearing Installer - Nut 3346/3 and Bearing from the Subframe Bushing Tool Kit 3301.

-- Then remove the left rear bolt that connects the subframe to the body.

-- Lower the subframe to dimension -a- = 40 mm. While doing so counterhold the Bearing Installer - Control Arm 3346 and turn the Control Arm Bearing Installer - Nut 3346/3 counter-clockwise.

-- Position the Engine and Gearbox Jack VAS6931 with the Universal Transmission Support VAG1359/2 and a corresponding rubber or hard foam mat -A- under the rear final drive.

Fig 7: Identifying VAG 1383/ VAG 1359/2

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CAUTION:

The rubber or hard foam mat is needed to protect the Clutch Valves -- on the rear final drive from getting damaged.

Use a Tensioning Strap T10038 to secure the rear final drive from falling.

-- Remove the two rear bolts that connect the rear final drive to the subframe.

-- A second technician must help with the next steps in removing the final drive.

-- A second technician must now push the rear final drive in direction of -arrow- toward the right side of the vehicle.

Fig 8: Identifying Left Drive Axle & Final Drive Flange Shaft

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-- Then guide the left drive axle -1- upward and out of the final drive flange shaft -2-.

-- Guide the right drive axle out and tilt the final drive toward the rear and downward.

-- Carefully lower the final drive together with a second technician. Pay attention to the subframe.

WARNING:

Do not raise or lower the vehicle when the Engine and Gearbox Jack VAS6931 is underneath it.
Do not leave the Engine and Gearbox Jack VAS9631 under the vehicle longer than necessary.