Rear Axle, Removing And Installing, All Wheel Drive (AWD) Vehicles

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

Special Tools And Workshop Equipment Required

Torque Wrench 1331 5-50 Nm :VAG1331
Torque Wrench 1332 40-200 Nm :VAG1332
Engine/Gearbox Jack:VAG1383A with Universal Transmission Support:VAG1359/2
Tensioning Strap:T10038

CAUTION:

This Procedure Contains Mandatory Replaceable Parts. Refer To Component Overview Prior To Starting Procedure.

Mandatory Replacement Parts

Refer To OVERVIEW - SUBFRAME, A4 WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD)

Removing The Subframe And Attachments

NOTE:

For Later Assembling Work Where The Drive Axle To Wheel Hub Threaded Connection Must Be Loosened, Note That It Must Not Be Done While The Vehicle Is Resting On Its Wheels. Loosen the connection between the drive axle and wheel hub. Refer To DRIVE AXLE THREADED CONNECTION, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .

-- Determine dimension -a- from the center of the wheel to the lower edge of the wheel housing before starting work while the vehicle is resting on its wheels.

Fig 1: Dimension From Center Of Wheel To Lower Edge Of Wheel Housing

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-- Place the vehicle on a hoist.

-- Remove the wheels.

-- Remove The Coil Springs. Refer To SPRING, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove The Rear Muffler. Refer To OVERVIEW - MUFFLER [FOR ENGINE(S) CAED, CAEB, CPMB, CPMA] , OVERVIEW - MUFFLER [FOR ENGINE(S) CALA] , OVERVIEW - MUFFLER [FOR TRANSMISSION(S) 0B6] [FOR ENGINE(S) CAUA] , OVERVIEW - MUFFLER [FOR ENGINE(S) CFSA] and OVERVIEW - MUFFLER [FOR ENGINE(S) CAED, CAEB, CPMB, CPMA] .

-- Remove The Drive Axle From The Rear Final Drive. Refer To The Appropriate Service Information. .

-- Secure the drive axle -3- to the body -2- using a wire -1-.

Fig 2: Identifying Secured Driveshaft

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-- Move rear drive axle tube as far as possible in direction of transmission.

Vehicles With Sport Differential:

Fig 3: Identifying Rear Final Drive Wiring Harness Bracket

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

NOTE:

Mark The Connectors -2- For The Oil Pressure/Temperature Sensor -- And On The Clutch Valves --.

-- Mark the connectors -2- on the Oil Pressure/Temperature Sensors -- and on 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 -5 through 7- and tie it up.

Continuation For All Vehicles

Fig 4: Identifying Left, Right Bolt And Bracket With Wires

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-- Remove the left and right bolt -2- and the bracket with wires -1-.

-- Release the connector -1- from the Left Rear ABS Wheel Speed Sensor -G46- and Right Rear ABS Wheel Speed Sensor -G44- and remove it.

Fig 5: Releasing Connector From Left ABS Wheel Speed Sensor

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-- Disconnect the right and left electromechanical parking brake connectors -3-.

-- Disconnect the connector -5- from the Left Rear Level Control System Sensor -G76- and, if equipped, from the Right Rear Level Control System Sensor -G77-.

-- Remove the left wiring harness -4-, and if equipped, the right one as well.

-- If the vehicle has electronically controlled damping, disconnect the connector on the shock absorber and free up the wiring harness.

-- Release the retaining tabs -1- and remove the stone deflector -2-.

Fig 6: Identifying Retaining Tabs And Stone Deflector

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-- Remove the bolt -arrow- and washer.

Fig 7: Bolt And Washer

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-- Disconnect the threaded connection -1-.

Fig 8: Identifying Threaded Connection

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-- Remove The Brake Caliper. Refer To REAR BRAKE CALIPER, REPLACING .

-- Guide the brake caliper past the wheel suspension and secure it on the body so the weight of the caliper does not stress or damage the brake hose or line.

-- Attach the upper transverse link to the wheel bearing housing by hand -1-.

-- Remove The Covers -1 And 2-. Refer To OVERVIEW - UNDERBODY PANELS .

Fig 9: Identifying Stone Deflectors

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-- Remove the diagonal braces on the A5 Cabriolet. Refer To DIAGONAL BRACE, REMOVING AND INSTALLING, A5 CABRIOLET, FRONT WHEEL DRIVE (FWD) .

-- Install the stone deflectors -1, 2 and 3-, if applicable.

Fig 10: Identifying Stone Deflectors

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WARNING:

Before - Loosening - Subframe Bolts, Secure Vehicle From Tipping Over, For Example, Load The Luggage Compartment With Approximately 50 Kg (110.2 lbs).

-- Place the :VAG1383A with :VAG1359/2 below subframe and secure with the :T10038 .

Fig 11: Placing V.A.G 1383 A With V.A.G 1359/2 Under Subframe

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-- Support the rear final drive -1- using a suitable wood block -2-.

-- Support front of subframe with a suitable wood block -4- under crossmember -3-.

-- Secure the subframe to the :VAS6931 using the :T10038 .

-- Secure the :T10038 under the drive axle and around the subframe and guide it behind the rear final drive.

-- Route :T10038 under the :VAG1359/2 and tighten it.

-- Remove the left and right bolts -1 and 2-.

Fig 12: Identifying Left And Right Bolts

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-- Remove the left and right supports -3-.

-- Remove bolts -arrows-.

Fig 13: Identifying Bolts

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Before Lowering The Subframe, Make Sure All The Electrical Wiring Connections Have Been Disconnected And Removed.

-- Carefully Lower The Subframe With Attachments While Being Careful Of The Brake Calipers And Its Lines.

Subframe With Attachments, Installing

Installation is the reverse of removal, with special attention to the following:

Tightening Specifications. Refer To OVERVIEW - SUBFRAME .

Tightening Specifications. Refer To OVERVIEW - WHEEL BEARING, VEHICLES WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) .

NOTE:

Bonded Rubber Bushings Can Only Be Turned To A Limited Extent. Only Tighten Suspension Screws When Vehicle Is In Curb Weight Or Control Position.

Wheel bearing, lifting to curb weight position on vehicles with coil springs. Refer To WHEEL BEARING IN CURB WEIGHT, REAR AXLE, LIFTING VEHICLES WITH COIL SPRING .

Applies To All

-- Position the right and left spacer. Refer To -item ) OVERVIEW - SUBFRAME, A4 WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) - SPACING DISC and -item ) OVERVIEW - SUBFRAME, A4 WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) - SPACING DISC On The Subframe Bonded Rubber Bushing With The Ribbed Side Facing The Body.

Applies To All

Fig 14: Center Of Subframe Mount Holes Must Be Aligned To Bolting Points On Body

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-- The center of the subframe mount holes must be aligned to the bolting points on the body.

-- Align the subframe so dimension -a- on vehicles without a stone deflector is 19 mm and dimension -b- on vehicles with a stone deflector is 14 mm.

NOTE:

Only Install The Coil Springs When The Subframe Bolts Have Been Tightened To The Specification.

-- Tighten the wheel. Refer To WHEEL BOLT TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS .

-- An axle alignment may be required. Refer To EVALUATING NEED FOR AXLE ALIGNMENT .

The Axle Alignment On The Front And Rear Axles Must Be Performed On A VW/Audi Approved Alignment Rack.