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

-- 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.

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- 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 UNDERBODY TRIM PANEL .

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Remove the rear section of the exhaust system -2-. Refer to EXHAUST PIPES/MUFFLERS CEUC, CRDB, CTGE, CWUB, CWUCEXHAUST PIPES/MUFFLERS CLAB, CLAA, CDUC, CGQB, CKVB, CKVC, CDUD, CPNB, CTCB, CTCC, CVUA, CVUBEXHAUST PIPES/MUFFLERS CREC, CRED, CREHEXHAUST PIPES/MUFFLERS CGXB, CTUA .

-- Remove the driveshaft. Refer to DRIVESHAFT, REMOVING AND INSTALLING FROM REAR FINAL DRIVE  .

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

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

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

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- 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.

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

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

-- Remove the bolt -4-.

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

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- 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.

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

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

-- 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.

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- 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.