Drive Axle, Bolted Inner Joint

Removing

-- Remove noise insulation. Refer to Removal and Installation .

-- Loosen wheel side drive axle threaded connection.

Loosening the connection between the drive axle and wheel hub:

Hex bolt, refer to HEX BOLT BETWEEN DRIVE AXLE AND WHEEL HUB, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .
12-point bolt, refer to 12-POINT BOLT BETWEEN DRIVE AXLE AND WHEEL HUB, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .

-- Remove the wheel.

-- Remove drive axle from transmission flange, see -arrows-.

Fig 1: Drive Axle On Transmission Flange

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- On vehicles with a level control system sensor, remove the nut from the linkage on the transverse link.

Fig 2: Identifying Front Left Level Control Bolt And Sensor

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Mark location of nuts -arrows- with felt-tip pen.

Fig 3: Bolts -Arrows-

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Remove nuts -arrows-.

-- Guide transverse link out of wheel bearing housing with ball joint.

-- Tip suspension strut outward while pressing drive shaft out of wheel bearing unit with a brass drive (possibly tapping lightly)

-- Remove drive axle.

Installing

Installation is the reverse of removal, with special attention to the following:

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

Tightening specifications, refer to WHEEL BEARING HOUSING AND WHEEL BEARING UNIT ASSEMBLY OVERVIEW .

Tightening specifications, refer to SUBFRAME, STABILIZER BAR, TRANSVERSE LINK, BALL JOINT, AND LEVEL CONTROL SYSTEM SENSOR ASSEMBLY OVERVIEW .

Tightening specifications, refer to DRIVE AXLE WITH 100 MM DIAMETER BOLTED INNER CV JOINT .

Tightening specifications, refer to DRIVE AXLE WITH 108 MM DIAMETER INNER CV JOINT .

-- Replace locking element after each removal.

-- Align nuts -arrows- according to markings made earlier and tighten.

Fig 4: Bolts -Arrows-

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Tighten drive axle to wheel hub threaded connection.

Tightening the connection between the drive axle and wheel hub:

Hex bolt, refer to HEX BOLT BETWEEN DRIVE AXLE AND WHEEL HUB, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .
12-point bolt, refer to 12-POINT BOLT BETWEEN DRIVE AXLE AND WHEEL HUB, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .

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

-- On vehicles with automatic headlamp range control system, perform a basic setting on the headlamps. Refer to [For transmission(s) 02E] [For engine(s) CBRA, BPY, CETA, CCTA, CEPB, CDMA] Diagnosis and Testing .

-- Vehicle alignment is required, see the table. Refer to WHEN WHEEL ALIGNMENT IS NECESSARY .