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.

Fig 1: Exhaust System Clamping Sleeves

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-- 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 Exterior Equipment .

Fig 2: Attaching Heat Shield -3- To Body -Arrows-

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-- Remove the rear section of the exhaust system -2-. Refer to EXHAUST PIPES/MUFFLERS for engine code CALA, EXHAUST PIPES/MUFFLERS for engine codes CCBA, CGXC, CTUB, or EXHAUST PIPES/MUFFLERS for engine codes CAED, CAEB, CPMB, CPMA .

-- Remove the driveshaft. Refer to DRIVESHAFT BOLTED ON TRANSMISSION SIDE, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

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

Fig 3: Identifying Left Drive Axle Heat Shield

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

Fig 4: Identifying Rear Final Drive Wiring Harness Bracket

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-- 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.

Fig 5: Locating Drive Axles And Rear Subframe Bolts

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

-- Remove the bolt -4-.

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

Fig 6: Identifying Right Rear Subframe Bolt

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-- 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.

Fig 7: Identifying VAG 1383/ VAG 1359/2

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

-- 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.

Fig 8: Identifying Left Drive Axle & Final Drive Flange Shaft

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-- 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.