Driveshaft Attached On Transmission Side: Removing
The attached driveshaft can only be removed from the transmission if it is removed completely.
Working on the driveshaft should only be performed with the vehicle on a two-column shop hoist.
Tie up or support the end of the shaft after disconnecting if from the rear final drive.
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.
Always hold the driveshaft horizontal when installing it or removing it from the transmission output shaft.
Danger of causing damage to the decoupling element.
- Never bend the decoupling element more than 10°.
- Never load the decoupling element.
- Do not damage the wire mesh on the decoupling element.
-- Loosen the clamping sleeves -1 and 2- and slide them to the rear.
-- Attach the front muffler and/or left and right front exhaust pipe to the underbody.
-- Remove the bolts -arrows- and remove the driveshaft heat shield -1-, if equipped.
-- Cut the hose clamp -1- for the driveshaft boot and remove it.
Ignore -2-.
Audi A6 and Audi A7
-- Remove the crossbrace -2-. Refer to "Heat Shields and Crossbraces" in Heat Shield for Left Upper Tunnel, Removing and Installing .
Audi A4, Audi A5 Coupe, Audi A5 Cabriolet and Audi A8
-- Remove the front crossmember -2- and the rear crossmember -3-. Refer to "Underbody Trim" in Heat Shield for Left Upper Tunnel, Removing and Installing .
Continuation for All Vehicles
-- Remove the heat shield -1-.
-- Lower the exhaust system rear section near the front and secure it using the VW 785/1 B as illustrated. Refer to Fig 6.
-- Check whether there is a marking (color marking) on driveshaft and at flange/driveshaft at rear final drive -arrow A- and -arrow B-.
-- If one of these markings is no longer visible, then make a new color marking.
- Die markings on the driveshaft -arrow A- and on the rear final drive -arrow B- must line up.
Rear Final Drive 0BF
-- Remove the bolts -1- (quantity: 6) from the rear CV joint.
-- Counter hold using the T10172 and T10172/5.
Rear Final Drive 0BE
-- Remove the bolts -1- (quantity: 6) from the rear CV joint.
-- Counter hold using the T10172 and T10172/6.
Continuation for All Rear Final Drives
-- Remove the bolts -arrows- from the driveshaft center bearing.
-- Lower the rear driveshaft at the fuel tank and at the subframe and remove it from the transmission.