Center Differential Housing, Removing And Installing, Bolted Driveshaft: Removing

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 10 other vehicles, including the 2018 Audi S6, 2017 Audi S6, 2016 Audi S6, 2016 Audi S4, and 2015 Audi S4. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Fig 1: Noise Insulation Panels

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-- Remove the rear noise insulation -2-. Refer to OVERVIEW - NOISE INSULATION .

Vehicles with a Single Pipe Exhaust System

Fig 2: Clamping Sleeve Threaded Connections

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CAUTION:

Danger of causing damage to the decoupling element inside the front exhaust pipe.

Do not bend decoupling element in 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 3: Identifying Bolts - Vehicles With Dual Exhaust System

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CAUTION:

The decoupling elements in the front muffler could be damaged.

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

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

All Vehicles

Fig 4: Driveshaft Heat Shield -1-

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-- Remove the bolts -arrows- and remove the driveshaft heat shield -1- (if equipped).

-- Counterhold the driveshaft using Counterhold - Kit - Multiple Use T10172 with Counterhold - Kit - Adapter T10172/5 and remove the bolts attaching the driveshaft to the transmission.

Fig 5: Counterholding Driveshaft Using T10172 And T10172/5

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

-- Tie the driveshaft to the underbody.

CAUTION:

Danger of damaging the transmission fluid pan.

Never use the transmission fluid pan as a support for the transmission.

Fig 6: Installing 2 Flat Mounts And 3282

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-- Install the 2 flat mounts -1 and 2- in the Transmission Support 3282.

-- Place the Transmission Support 3282 on the Engine and Gearbox Jack VAS6931.

-- Support the transmission at the bolting surfaces on the transmission fluid with a rubber pad -3- as illustrated.

-- Slightly lift the transmission using the Engine and Gearbox Jack VAS6931.

WARNING:

There is the risk of an accident.

The Engine and Gearbox Jack VAS6931 may only be used during assembly and must not sit unsupervised under the vehicle.

-- If installed: Remove the bolts -arrows- and air guide -A-.

Fig 7: Identifying Air Guide And Bolts

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

Fig 8: Identifying Tunnel Crossmember And Bolts

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

Fig 9: Identifying Mount Nuts & Tunnel Crossmember

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-- Lower the transmission with the Engine and Gearbox Jack VAS6131 just far enough until the transmission fluid pan is not touching the crossbrace -A-.

Fig 10: Installing 2 Flat Mounts And 3282

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-- Place the Used Oil Collection and Extraction Unit SMN372500 under the transmission.

Fig 11: Center Differential Housing Tightening Sequence

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-- Remove the bolts -1 through 4- and carefully remove the center differential housing. The transmission fluid (MTF) will leak out while doing this.

CAUTION:

Danger of damaging the center differential.

Carefully and slowly pull 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.

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

Fig 12: Removing Gear Carrier

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CAUTION:

Danger of damaging the sealing surface on the center differential housing.

Use a hammer to hit the housing carefully on several places.

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

-- Using a Rubber Hammer, tap the housing on alternating sides -B arrows-.