Drive Axle, Removing And Installing: Removing

• Vehicles with active suspension: pay attention to the safety precautions. Refer to SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHEN WORKING ON VEHICLES WITH ACTIVE SUSPENSION .

-- Loosen the connection between the drive axle and wheel hub. Refer to DRIVE AXLE THREADED CONNECTION, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .

-- Remove the wind deflector for the lower rear transverse link. Refer to WIND DEFLECTOR, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

Left Side of Vehicle:

Fig 1: Heat Shield - Bolts

Courtesy of AUDI

-- Exhaust system without separating point: remove the rear muffler. Refer to OVERVIEW - MUFFLER - 2.0L , OVERVIEW - MUFFLER - 3.0L .

-- Exhaust system with separating point: remove the exhaust pipe. Refer to OVERVIEW - MUFFLER - 2.0L , OVERVIEW - MUFFLER - 3.0L .

-- Remove the bolts -arrows- and remove the heat shield -1-.

Vehicles with Bolted Drive Axle:

Courtesy of AUDI

-- Remove the bolts -arrows-, and carefully remove the drive axle. Pay attention to the boot while doing this on equipment versions with air suspension.

• Be careful not to damage the protective coating on the drive axle.

Vehicles with Bolted Drive Axle:

-- Remove the wheel bearing housing. Refer to WHEEL BEARING HOUSING, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Carefully dismount and remove the drive axle from the final drive, at the same time pay attention to the equipment version with air suspension on the boot.

• Be careful not to damage the protective coating on the drive axle.