Left Drive Axle, Removing And Installing: Removing
-- Loosen the wheel side drive shaft threaded connection -arrow-. Refer to DRIVE AXLE THREADED CONNECTION, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .
-- Loosen the drive axle threaded connection on the wheel side -arrow-. Refer to DRIVE AXLE THREADED CONNECTION, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .
Do not load the wheel bearing if the wheel-side drive axle threaded connection is loose. There is a risk of damaging the wheel bearing due to the vehicle's weight.
Install an outer joint in place of the drive axle. Tighten the outer joint to 120 Nm.
-- Remove the wheel. Refer to WHEELS AND TIRES .
-- Remove the noise insulation. Refer to OVERVIEW - NOISE INSULATION .
Vehicle with Level Control System Sensor
-- Remove the nut -1- and free up the bracket -2- for the coupling rod of the level control system sensor on the control arm -3-.
Vehicles with Drive Axle Bolted on the Transmission Flange Shaft
-- Remove the drive axle from the flange shaft/transmission -arrows- and tilt upwards.
-- Push the wheel bearing housing to the left.
-- On sport suspensions, lower the suspension strut. If the vehicle does not have a sport suspension, the suspension strut must not be lowered. Refer to SUSPENSION STRUT, LOWERING .
-- Pull the drive axle out of the wheel hub.
-- Remove the drive axle.
Vehicle with Drive Axle Inserted in the Transmission
-- Lower the suspension strut on vehicles with sport suspension. Refer to SUSPENSION STRUT, LOWERING . If the vehicle does not have sport suspension, the suspension strut must not be lowered.
-- Remove the nuts -arrows-.
-- Remove the control arm from the ball joint.
- Make sure the ball joint rubber boot is not damaged during assembly work. If necessary protect the ball joint rubber boot against damage.
-- Insert the : T10161 between the transmission housing and the inner joint.
-- Using a rubber hammer, hit the inner joint on the drive axle wedge tool and remove it from the transmission.
-- Pull the drive axle out of the wheel hub.
-- Remove the drive axle.