Drive Axle

Removing

-- Loosen wheel side drive shaft threaded connection.

Loosening the connection between the drive axle and wheel hub:

Hex bolt: 200 Nm + 180° turn. Refer to HEX BOLT BETWEEN DRIVE AXLE AND WHEEL HUB, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .
Twelve point bolt with Ribs: 70 Nm + 90° turn. Refer to 12-POINT BOLT WITH RIBS BETWEEN DRIVE AXLE AND WHEEL HUB, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .
Twelve point bolt without Ribs: 200 Nm + 180°. Refer to 12-POINT BOLT WITHOUT RIBS BETWEEN DRIVE AXLE AND WHEEL HUB, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING

-- Remove wheel.

-- Remove coil spring. Refer to COIL SPRING .

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

Fig 1: Identifying Vehicle Level Sensor Components

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

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

Fig 2: Identifying Bolt For Tie Rod, Upper Transverse Link, Lower Transverse Link And From Wheel Bearing Housing

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

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

Fig 3: Identifying Bolt And Washer

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Loosen the drive axle on the transmission side.

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

-- Remove drive axle.

Installing

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

-- Lightly coat the splines on the outer joint with assembly paste before installing the outer joint into the wheel hub.

NOTE:

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 WHEEL BEARING, LIFTING TO CURB WEIGHT POSITION .

-- Install bolt -2- with washer -1- and tighten.

Fig 4: Identifying Bolt And Washer

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

Tightening specifications, refer to SUBFRAME, LOWER TRANSVERSE LINK, UPPER TRANSVERSE LINK, TIE ROD AND LEVEL CONTROL SYSTEM SENSOR ASSEMBLY OVERVIEW, COUPE .

Tightening specifications, refer to SUBFRAME, DIAGONAL BRACES, CROSSMEMBER, LOWER TRANSVERSE LINK, UPPER TRANSVERSE LINK, TIE ROD AND LEVEL CONTROL SYSTEM SENSOR ASSEMBLY OVERVIEW, ROADSTER .

Tightening specifications, refer to WHEEL BEARING HOUSING, WHEEL BEARING UNIT AND TRAILING ARM WITH MOUNTING BRACKET ASSEMBLY OVERVIEW .

Tightening specifications, refer to SHOCK ABSORBER AND COIL SPRING ASSEMBLY OVERVIEW .

Tightening specifications, refer to STABILIZER BAR ASSEMBLY OVERVIEW .

Tightening specification: (transmission side drive axle connection), refer to DRIVE AXLE WITH 82 MM OUTER CV JOINT .

Tightening specification: (transmission side drive axle connection), refer to DRIVE AXLE WITH 90 MM OUTER CV JOINT .

-- On vehicles with electronically-controlled damping (Audi magnetic ride), reprogram control position Vehicle Diagnosis, Testing and Information System VAS 5051B.

-- On vehicles with automatic headlamp range control, perform headlamp basic setting. Refer to [For transmission(s) 02E] [For engine(s) CBRA, BPY, CETA, CCTA, CEPB, CDMA] Removal and Installation .