Overview - Drive Axle: Notes

Fig 1: Exploded View Of Drive Axle

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

1. Cap
   • Carefully drive off using a drift
   • Replace if damaged
   • Adhesive surface must be free of oil and grease
   • Coat the sealing surface with Sealant: D 454 300 A2  before installing on CV joint. Refer to DRIVE AXLE, DISASSEMBLING AND ASSEMBLING, INNER CV JOINT - Inner CV Joint, Installing .
2. Circlip
   • Always replace after removing
   • Insert in shaft groove
3. Inner CV Joint
   • Only replace completely
   • Checking. Refer to INNER CV JOINT, CHECKING .
   • Grease quantity and type. Refer to Grease Quantity and Type .
   • The adhesive surfaces must be free of oil and grease.
   • When installing the CV joint, thinly coat the profile shaft splines with the grease used in the joint.
4. CV Boot
   • Without vent hole
   • Remove the cap carefully using a drift.
   • Check for tears and scuffing
   • Check the inner CV joint for damage. Refer to INNER CV JOINT, CHECKING .
   • The metal cap/CV joint sealing surfaces must be free of grease when installing.
5. Backing Plate
6. Bolts
   • 70 Nm
   • Always replace after removing
7. Clamp
   • Always replace after removing
   • Tensioning. Refer to Fig 2.
8. Drive Axle
   • Removing and Installing. Refer to DRIVE AXLE, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .
9. Clamp
   • Always replace after removing
   • Tensioning. Refer to Fig 2.
10. CV Boot
    • Without vent hole
    • Check for tears and scuffing
    • Check the outer CV joint for damage. Refer to OUTER CV JOINT, CHECKING .
    • The outer CV boot/metal cap sealing surfaces must be free of grease when installing
    • The CV boot/drive axle sealing surfaces must be free of grease when installing
11. Clamp
    • Always replace after removing
    • Tensioning. Refer to Fig 2.
12. Circlip
    • Always replace after removing
    • Insert into ring groove of shaft before installation (not visible on installed joint)
    • Before installing the CV joint, align the circlip centered to the opening facing upward.
13. Outer CV Joint
    • Only replace completely
    • Checking. Refer to OUTER CV JOINT, CHECKING .
    • Removing. Refer to DRIVE AXLE, DISASSEMBLING AND ASSEMBLING, OUTER CV JOINT .
    • Installing: Drive onto shaft with a plastic mallet until compressed circlip rebounds.
    • Circlip must lie in joint chamfer when guiding in, guide with pliers if necessary.
    • Grease quantity and type. Refer to Grease Quantity and Type .
    • The CV boot/outer CV joint sealing surfaces must be free of grease when installing.
    • When installing the CV joint, thinly coat the profile shaft splines with the grease used in the joint.
14. Bolt
    • Always replace after removing
    • Clean the threads in the CV joint with a thread tap.
    • Drive Axle Threaded Connection, Loosening and Tightening. Refer to DRIVE AXLE THREADED CONNECTION, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .

Tension the clamp using the Clamping Pliers VAG1682A. 

Fig 2: Tension the Clamp Using the : VAG1682A.

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Attach the Clamping Pliers: VAG1682  as shown.

• The jaws on the pliers must be centered -arrow- on the clamp -2-.
• The spindle threads must turn easily. If necessary, coat with MoS₂ lubricating grease.
• If difficult to tighten, for example because of dirty threads, the proper clamping force of the clamping sleeve will not be reached even when tightened to the specification.

-- Tighten the lock washer with the torque wrench by turning the spindle -1-. Do not tilt the pliers when doing this.

• Tightening specification: 20 Nm.