Center Differential, Transmission Installed: Removing

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 9 other vehicles, including the 2016 Audi S5, 2015 Audi S5, 2014 Audi S5, 2013 Audi A5, and 2012 Audi A5. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

-- Loosen the quick-release fasteners -2 and 3- and remove the rear noise insulation.

Fig 1: Identifying Noise Insulation Components

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-- Place the V.A.G 1782 under the transmission.

-- Remove the plug -arrow- and drain the transmission fluid.

Fig 2: Locating Transmission Fluid Drain Plug

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-- Install the plug -arrow- and tighten it to 45 Nm.

Vehicles with a Single Pipe Exhaust System

Fig 3: Clamping Sleeve Threaded Connections

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CAUTION:

The decoupling element in the front exhaust pipe could be damaged.

Do not bend the decoupling elements in the front exhaust pipe more than 10°.

-- Loosen the bolts -arrows-, slide the sleeve to the rear and tie up the front exhaust pipe to the body.

Vehicles with Dual Pipe Exhaust System

Fig 4: Identifying Bolts Vehicles With Dual Exhaust System

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CAUTION:

Danger of damaging the flex joint in the front muffler.

Do not bend the decoupling element in the front muffler more than 10°.

-- Loosen the clamping sleeve -1 and 2-, slide it to the rear and tie it up to the body.

-- Remove the bolts -arrows- and remove the driveshaft heat shield -A- (if equipped) for the driveshaft.

Fig 5: Identifying Transmission Heat Shield

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Driveshaft Bolted on the Transmission Side

Fig 6: Counterholding Driveshaft Using T10172 And T10172/5

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-- Remove the bolts that connect the driveshaft to the transmission by counter holding them with the T10172 and T10172/5.

-- Press the driveshaft together with rear final drive; the universal joint is able to slide axially.

-- Secure the driveshaft to the side.

Driveshaft Connected on the Transmission Side

-- Remove the driveshaft. Refer to Removal and Installation (0BC) or Removal and Installation (0BD) .

All Vehicles

Fig 7: Supporting Transmission With V.A.G 1383

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-- Support the transmission using the V.A.G 1383 A with the T10337 attached.

WARNING:

There is the risk of an accident.

The V.A.G 1383 A may only be used during assembly and must not sit unsupervised under the vehicle.

-- Remove the bolts from the tunnel crossmember -arrows-.

Fig 8: Identifying Bolts & Tunnel Crossmember

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-- Lower the transmission to dimension -a- using the V.A.G 1383 A.

Fig 9: Lowering Transmission

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Dimension -a- = maximum 80 mm (3.14 inches).

-- Remove the nuts -arrow- and the tunnel crossmember.

Fig 10: Identifying Nuts And Tunnel Crossmember

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-- Place the V.A.G 1782 under the transmission.

Fig 11: Attaching Center Differential Housing To Transmission Cover Using Bolts

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-- Remove the bolts -A, B and arrows-.

NOTE:

Not all versions have the double bolts -B-.

CAUTION:

Danger of damaging the center differential.

Carefully and slowly pull the center differential housing off of transmission toward rear. Otherwise the center differential can fall out of the transmission.
A center differential that has fallen out may not be installed. This must be replaced.

-- Carefully remove the center differential housing -6-, the pressure spring -3-, the adjusting shim -4- and the plate spring -5-.

Fig 12: Installing Plate Spring -5-, Adjusting Shim(S) -4- And Pressure Spring -3- In Center Differential Housing -6-

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-- Remove the center differential -2- and the gear carrier -1-.

If the gear carrier -1- remains in the center differential housing, proceed as follows:

Fig 13: Gear Carrier

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-- Hold the gear carrier -1- by one of the side ribs with pliers and remove it in direction of -arrow A-.

-- At the same time, carefully hit housing -arrow B- alternating from one side to the other using a rubber hammer.

CAUTION:

Do not damage sealing surfaces when doing this.