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

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2015 Audi S7, 2015 Audi RS 7, 2014 Audi S7, 2014 Audi RS 7, and 2013 Audi S7. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools and workshop equipment required

Used Oil Collection and Extraction Unit SMN372500
Sealant.

Removing with Transmission Installed

Fig 1: Identifying Noise Insulation

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It is possible to remove the center differential housing with the transmission still installed.

-- Perform the vehicle-specific preliminary work:

Audi A4, A5, Q5, refer to Center Differential .
Audi A6, A7, refer to Final Drive, Differential .

Removing with the Transmission Removed

-- Secure the transmission on the Engine And Transmission Holder VAS6095, refer to SECURING ON ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HOLDER .

Continuation for a Removed or Installed Transmission

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

Fig 2: Center Differential Housing Bolts

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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.

-- Remove the pressure spring -3-, shim(s) -4- and plate spring -5-.

-- Pull the center differential -2- toward the rear.

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

Fig 3: Identifying Differential Housing, Pressure Spring, Adjusting Shim & Plate Spring

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CAUTION:

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

Use a hammer to hit the housing on several places.

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

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

Fig 4: Removing Gear Carrier

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