Rear Final Drive: Removing

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

Observe general repair notes COMPONENT DESCRIPTION .

-- Place the vehicle on a hoist.

NOTE:

Do not bend the decoupling element in the front exhaust pipe more than 10°, otherwise it will get damaged.

-- Loosen the clamping sleeve(s) -arrows- and disconnect the exhaust system.

Fig 1: Clamping Sleeve Threaded Connections

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-- Tie the front exhaust pipe(s) to the underbody.

-- Remove the rear crossmember -1-, if equipped.

Fig 2: Identifying Rear Transverse Beam & Heat Shield At Vehicle Floor

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-- Install rear section of the exhaust system -2-. Refer to the appropriate service information .

NOTE:

A second technician will be needed to help remove the rear section of the exhaust system.

Audi A4 and Audi A5

-- Remove the heat shield -3- from the body -arrows-.

Continuation for All Vehicles

-- Check whether there is a marking (color marking) on driveshaft and at flange/driveshaft at rear final drive -arrow A- and -arrow B-.

Fig 3: Identifying Mark Position Of Driveshaft Flange To Rear Final Drive

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- If one of these markings is no longer visible (for example -arrow A- on the driveshaft), then make a new color marking.

Die marking on the driveshaft -arrow A- and on the rear final drive -arrow B- must line up.

-- Remove the bolts -1- (quantity: 6) from the rear CV joint.

Fig 4: Counterhold Using T10172 And T10172/5

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Use the T10172 with the T10172/5.

Audi A4 and Audi A5

-- Attach the rear crossmember -C- to the body, if removed earlier.

Fig 5: Identifying Wood On Rear Crossmember

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Place a block of wood -A- (approximately 40 mm tall) on the rear crossmember -C- and secure the driveshaft -B-.

NOTE:

The heat shield under the intermediate bearing supports the driveshaft -B- on the Audi Q5.

The driveshaft can be bent at the center joint without using force. A hard bending to the stop may cause damage to the center joint or dust boot.

Continuation for All Vehicles

-- Remove the bolts from the driveshaft center bearing -arrows-.

Fig 6: Identifying Mounting Bolts

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-- Push the driveshaft forward while pulling off the rear final drive.

-- Tie the driveshaft to the side of the subframe.

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

Fig 7: Removing Left Driveshaft Head Shield

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-- Remove the left -1- and right -3- drive axles.

Fig 8: Removing Left And Right Driveshaft

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-- Loosen the bolts -2- approximately 3 turns.

-- Remove the bolt -4-.

-- Place the V.A.G 1383 A with the V.A.G 1359/2 and a block of wood -A- (approximately 80 mm tall) under the rear final drive.

Fig 9: Placing V.A.G1383A, V.A.G1359/2 And Block Of Wood Under Rear Final Drive

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

NOTE:

Make sure the V.A.G 1359/2 is not touching the fuel tank.

-- Remove the bolts -1- (lower crossmember bolt to the rear final drive) and -2-.

-- Remove the two upper crossmember bolts -B- to the rear final drive.

Fig 10: Removing Two Upper Crossmember Bolts To Rear Final Drive

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Guide the T40154 through the holes in the subframe -A-. Move the final drive to the left or to the right if necessary.

-- Push the final drive -A- slightly to the front.

Fig 11: Placing V.A.G 1383 A With V.A.G 1359/2 And A Block Of Wood

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Turn the crossmember -B- to the left in direction of -arrow 1- while guiding it past the final drive -arrow 2- and remove it.

NOTE:

A second technician will be needed to continue removing the rear final drive.

-- A second technician must lift the rear final drive -1- on the right side and push it in direction of -arrow- toward the left side of the vehicle.

Fig 12: Mounting Rear Final Drive -1- With V.A.G 1383 A And V.A.G 1359/2 On Subframe -2- In Its Installed Position

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

NOTE:

The V.A.G 1383 A and the V.A.G 1359/2 are not shown in the upper area I of the illustration.

-- Guide the right drive axle -5- upward and out of the final drive flange shaft -4-.

-- Remove the left drive axle -3-.

-- Secure the rear final drive with a strap -B-.

Fig 13: Securing Rear Final Drive With A Strap -B- & A - Block Of Wood

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

A - Block of wood

-- Lower rear final drive completely.