Driveshaft, Removing And Installing, Driveshaft Connected On Transmission Side: Removing

• Label the position of all the parts to each other before removing them. Install in the same position otherwise the imbalance will be excessive and the bearings could get damaged causing rumbling noises.
• Do not bend the driveshaft. There is a risk of damaging the protective boot in the intermediate bearing.
• If possible, remove, install and store the driveshaft in its fully extended position.
• Never let the driveshaft "just hang" during removal. Always support it.
• The driveshaft is secured to the output shaft on the bevel box with a circlip.
• Always remove or install the driveshaft horizontally from or on the centering pins on the rear final drive.

-- Remove the front noise insulation -1-. Refer to NOISE INSULATION .

Fig 1: Locating Noise Insulation

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-- Remove the rear section of the exhaust system. Refer to MUFFLER, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

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-- Remove the bolts -arrows and 1- and the noise insulation bracket.

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-- Tie the catalytic converters up onto the underbody.

Vehicles without Particulate Filter

-- Remove the right catalytic converter by removing the nuts -arrows- and removing the clamp.

Courtesy of AUDI

Vehicles with Particulate Filter

-- Driveshaft intermediate bearing on the right side: remove the nut -1- and remove the bracket for the Particulate Filter Differential Pressure Sensor -G1037-.

Fig 2: Particulate Filter Differential Pressure Sensor -G1037-

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-- Driveshaft intermediate bearing on the left side: remove the nut -4- and remove the bracket for the Particulate Filter Differential Pressure Sensor 2 -G1038-.

Fig 3: Particulate Filter Differential Pressure Sensor 2 -G1038-

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-- Free up the wiring harnesses on the driveshaft intermediate bearing.

-- Left side: free up the wiring harnesses for the exhaust gas temperature sensor.

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-- Right side: free up the wiring harnesses for the exhaust gas temperature sensor.

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Continuation for All Vehicles

-- Remove the bolts -2 and 3- for the pendulum support.

Fig 4: Engine Support Component Location

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-- Press the engine and transmission forward and secure with a suitable piece of wood -A-.

Fig 5: Engine And Transmission Pressed Forward And Secured With A Wood Block

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-- Remove the driveshaft heat shield -3-. Refer to the appropriate Service Information. .

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-- Make sure there is a marking (colored dot) on the flexible disc/driveshaft and the rear final drive flange -arrows-.

Fig 6: Aligning Markings On Driveshaft At Flange Of Haldex Clutch

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-- If the mark is not present, then label the position of the flexible disc/driveshaft to the driveshaft flange on the rear final drive.

-- To loosen the driveshaft bolts, counterhold with the :T10172A  and the :T10172/5  on the rear final drive.

Fig 7: Counterholding Rear Final Drive To Loosen And Tighten Driveshaft

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-- Remove the driveshaft bolts -arrows- from the rear final drive.

Fig 8: Identifying Rear Driveshaft Tube At Rear Final Drive With Joint Washer & Vibration Damper

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-- Remove the bolts from the intermediate bearing -arrows-.

Fig 9: Locating Center Bracket Screws

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-- Slide the driveshaft axially together toward the front and remove it from the alignment pins on the rear final drive.

-- Place the rear section of the driveshaft on the :VAS6931  and on a wooden block.

-- Wrap the driveshaft in front of the intermediate bearing with adhesive tape and secure the :T40296  .

Courtesy of AUDI

-- Hook the :VW771  with the :VW771/13  into the :T40296  and knock the driveshaft out toward the rear.

Courtesy of AUDI

-- Remove the driveshaft toward the rear and fully extended, if possible.