Drive Axle, Removing And Installing: Removing

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2014 Volkswagen Touareg, 2013 Volkswagen Touareg, 2012 Volkswagen Touareg, and 2011 Volkswagen Touareg. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

-- Loosen the 12-point nut for the drive axle on the wheel hub. Refer to TWELVE-POINT NUT OF DRIVE AXLE THREADED CONNECTION, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .

CAUTION:

The wheel bearing must not be under a load while the drive axle threaded connection on the wheel side is loose.

If the wheel bearings are under the load of the vehicle weight, the wheel bearing will be damaged. This reduces the service life of the wheel bearings.

The 12-point nut may only be loosened a maximum of 90° when the vehicle is resting on its wheels.

Vehicles without a drive axle must not be moved, otherwise the wheel bearing will be damaged. If a vehicle must be moved, be sure to Note The Following:

Install an outer joint in place of the drive axle.
Tighten the outer joint to 150 Nm.

Vehicles with a Steel Spring Shock Absorber

Fig 1: Steel Spring Shock Absorber And Threaded Connection

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-- Loosen the wheel bolts.

-- Raise the vehicle.

-- Remove the wheel.

-- Loosen the threaded connection -arrows- between the steel spring shock absorber -1- and the coupling rod at the wheel bearing housing.

-- Install the block of wood between the subframe -1- and the upper rear transverse link -2-.

Fig 2: Steel Spring Shock Absorber And Upper Rear Transverse Link

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-- Press the axle down with a block of wood.

-- Remove the bolt.

Vehicles with an Air Spring Shock Absorber

-- Activate the vehicle lift mode and place the vehicle on the lifting platform. Refer to LIFTING THE FRONT AXLE TO THE CURB WEIGHT POSITION .

-- Bleed the rear air spring shock absorber with the Vehicle Diagnostic Tester.

-- Loosen the wheel bolts.

-- Raise the vehicle.

-- Remove the wheel.

Continuation for Both Vehicles

-- Turn the wheel hub until one of the holes for the wheel bolts is on the bottom.

Before using the Drive Shaft Remover:T10520 , make sure that the thrust piece -1- is installed.

Fig 3: Locating Thrust Piece

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-- Set up the tools as shown in the figure.

Fig 4: Identifying Tool Assembly

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Drive Axle Remover - Adapter Plate:T10103/1
Drive Shaft Remover:T10520
Engine/Gearbox Jack Adapter - Wheel Hub Support:T10149
Engine and Gearbox Jack:VAS6931

-- Support the wheel carrier.

-- Unscrew the threaded connection of the rear upper transverse link -1- from the wheel bearing housing.

-- Release the connector -2- from the parking brake motor of the electromechanical parking brake and disconnect.

-- Unscrew the tie rod -3- from the wheel bearing housing.

Fig 5: Unscrew The Tie Rod -3- From The Wheel Bearing Housing.

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Vehicles with an Air Spring Shock Absorber

-- Unscrew the threaded connection -4- between the air spring shock absorber and the coupling rod at the wheel bearing housing.

Continuation for Both Vehicles

-- Loosen the threaded connection -1- of the upper front transverse link on the wheel bearing housing.

Fig 6: Lower Transverse Link Bolt And Threaded Connection -1- Of The Upper Front Transverse Link

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-- Loosen the bolt -2- for the lower transverse link and remove.

-- Release the connector -1- from the rear wheel speed sensor and remove it.

Fig 7: Identifying Rear Speed Sensor

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-- Unscrew the threaded connection -arrow- of the cable holder -1-.

Fig 8: Locating Brake Pad Wear Indicator Connector

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-- Detach the harness connector -2- from the cable holder.

-- Disconnect the connector -2-.

-- Place the wiring harness with the cable holder to the side.

-- Tilt the wheel bearing housing with the Engine and Gearbox Jack:VAS6931 upward.

Fig 9: Install The Tools As Illustrated

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Drive Shaft Remover:T10520
Drive Axle Remover - Adapter Plate:T10103/1
Engine/Gearbox Jack Adapter - Wheel Hub Support:T10149
Engine and Gearbox Jack:VAS6931

-- Press out the driveshaft from the internal teeth with the Intake Manifold Release Tool:T10520 .

-- Follow the specified sequence exactly.

Fig 10: Identifying Tightening Sequence

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I - Tighten the knurled nut -1- hand-tight.

II - Only turn the bolt -2- using a wrench and press out the drive axle using the Drive Shaft Remover:T10520 .

NOTE:

At the end of the tasks or to set back, the spindles must be brought back into the original position so that the hydraulic operation can be used.

-- Tilt the wheel bearing housing upward when pressing out to make sure the joints have enough clearance.

-- Tilt the outer joint out of the wheel hub.

-- Secure the drive axle to keep it from falling.

-- Remove the drive axle -1- at the transmission flange -3- with a plastic-coated assembly lever -2-.

-- Remove the drive axle.

Fig 11: Remove The Drive Axle -1- At The Transmission Flange -3- With A Plastic-Coated Assembly Lever -2-.

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