Center Differential, Removing And Installing: Removing

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

The transmission is installed.

-- Remove the driveshaft, refer to Removal and Installation .

-- Remove the subframe crossbrace, refer to Subframe .

Fig 1: Locating Subframe Crossbrace

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CAUTION:

The suspension components could be damaged.

Do not rest the vehicle on its wheels if the subframe mount, the steering gear or the subframe crossbrace are not installed correctly.

-- Mount the Engine/Gearbox Jack - Gearbox Support T10337 on the Engine and Gearbox Jack VAS 6931 and attach it under the transmission mount.

Fig 2: Attach To Bottom Of Transmission

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-- Lift the transmission slightly using the Engine and Gearbox Jack VAS 6931.

WARNING:

There is the risk of an accident.

The Engine and Gearbox Jack VAS 6931 may only be used during assembly and must not sit unsupervised under the vehicle.

-- Remove the bolts from the tunnel crossmember -arrows-.

Fig 3: Identifying Bolts

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-- Lower the transmission to dimension -a- using the Engine and Gearbox Jack VAS 6931.

Fig 4: Lower Transmission

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Dimension -a- = maximum 70 mm.

-- Place the Used Oil Collection and Extraction Unit SMN 372500 under the transmission.

Fig 5: Center Differential Housing Bolts - Attached Driveshaft

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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.

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

Fig 6: Center Differential Housing, Proceed As Follows

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CAUTION:

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

Use a hammer to hit the housing carefully on several places.

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

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