Driveshaft, Removing And Installing, AUDI Q7, Q8, A6, A7 And A8

Special tools and workshop equipment required 

• Counterhold - Kit - Multiple Use: T10172 
  Fig 1: Counterhold Tool T10172

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• Counterhold - Kit - Adapter 5 : T10172/5  (M8 Bolts)
• Counterhold - Kit - Adapter 6 : T10172/6  (M10 Bolts)
• Hose Clip Pliers: V. A. G 1275A 
  Fig 2: Hose Clamp Pliers VAG 1275

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• High temperature grease. Refer to the Electronic Parts Information (ETKA)

Removing 

Note the information about the driveshaft:

• Pay attention to the general repair information. Refer to REPAIR INFORMATION .
• The attached driveshaft can only be separated from the transmission if it is completely removed.
• Always remove or install the driveshaft horizontally at the all-wheel drive clutch output shaft.
• Always store and transport the driveshaft when it is fully extended.
• The driveshaft can be bent all the way to the center joint without force. Bending the joint forcibly all the way can damage the center joint and/or the protective boot.
• If the driveshaft is separated only from the rear final drive, the driveshaft must be tied up or supported. If necessary, the driveshaft can be bent as far as the end stop of the center without force.
• Pay attention to the tightening sequence for the driveshaft bolt on the rear final drive. Refer to Figure.

Should there be complaints (noise, vibration), do the following before replacing the driveshaft:

• Remove all the driveshaft bolts from the rear final drive.
• Tighten the driveshaft with new bolts according to the tightening sequence. Refer to Figure.

Audi Q7

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-- Remove the center underbody trim panel. Refer to OVERVIEW - UNDERBODY TRIM PANELS .

-- If equipped, disconnect the connector -2- for the Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor 5 -G815- and free up the cable.

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-- Remove the bolts -arrows- and the crossmember -1-.

-- Remove the tunnel brace -1-. Refer to TUNNEL BRACE, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

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Audi A6, A7, A8

-- Remove both the tunnel braces. Refer to TUNNEL BRACE, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

Continuation for All 

-- Loosen the lock washer(s) -arrows- and separate the exhaust system.

-- Tie up the front exhaust pipe(s) on the side to the underbody.

-- Remove the heat shield -1-. Refer to OVERVIEW - HEAT SHIELDS .

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-- Remove the bolts -arrows- and remove the driveshaft heat shield -1- (if equipped).

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-- Cut the clamp -1- for the driveshaft boot and remove it.

-- Check if there is a mark (color dot) on the driveshaft and on the rear final drive driveshaft flange -arrow A- and -arrow B-.

-- Make a color dot again if the original mark is no longer visible.

• The marks on the driveshaft -arrow A- and on the rear final drive -arrow B- must line up.

-- Remove the driveshaft bolts -1- from the rear final drive.

-- Counterhold with Counterhold - Multiple Use: T10172A  and Counterhold - Kit - Adapter 5 : T10172/5  or Counterhold - Kit - Adapter 6 : T10172/6  .

-- Remove the driveshaft intermediate bearing mounting bolts -arrows-.

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-- Push the driveshaft in the inserted position forward at the same time remove the rear final drive and free up downward.

Remove the driveshaft as follows from the transmission:

• The driveshaft is in the inserted position.
• Driveshaft pushed all the way forward.

-- Remove the driveshaft "with a pull" rearward from the transmission.

Driveshaft, Installing

Install in reverse order of removal. Note the following:

• Tightening specifications. Refer to OVERVIEW - DRIVESHAFT .

• Remove any old, dry high-temperature grease from the CV joint and the driveshaft flange. Fill with the exact same amount of new high temperature grease.
• The M8 bolts threaded hole in the flange shaft on the rear final drive must be cleaned of locking fluid residue. They can be cleaned with a thread tap. If the threads are not clean, the bolts will break off when they are being installed.
• Replace the driveshaft bolt as well as the three backing plates.
• Wipe the splines on the all-wheel drive clutch output shaft with a towel before installing the driveshaft. The splines are not lubricated.

• Maximum bend angle when positioning: 10°.
• After the driveshaft is inserted approximately 50 mm into the all-wheel drive clutch output shaft, turn the driveshaft slightly to make sure that the all-wheel drive clutch output shaft splines are meshed into the inner splines of the driveshaft.
• Push the driveshaft all the way onto the splines of the all-wheel drive clutch output shaft.

Driveshaft with inner axle support

-- Replace the clamps -1- for the driveshaft boot -2-.

-- Mount the driveshaft on the transmission.

Driveshaft with outer axle support

-- Replace the components -1 to 4- in the repair kit.

-- Place the O-ring -1- in the groove.

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-- Apply the axle securing -2- on the driveshaft.

-- Push the spacer ring -3- on the axle support -2-.

• The four elevations of the spacer ring -arrow- point in the direction of the transmission.

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-- Attach the lock washer -3- but do not tighten yet.

-- Mount the driveshaft on the transmission.

Continuation for All 

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-- Attach the driveshaft intermediate bearing to the body so that it is free of tension -arrows-.

-- Replace the driveshaft flange seal for the driveshaft.

-- Position the driveshaft on the rear final drive while paying attention to the installation position:

• The marks on the driveshaft -arrow A- and on the rear final drive -arrow B- must line up.
• Maximum difference between the markings: 30°.

-- Install all six driveshaft bolts -1- by hand two to three turns.

• Tighten the driveshaft bolts -1- according to the tightening sequence. Refer to Figure.

-- Line up the clamp -1- for the driveshaft boot with the retainers -2- and then tighten the clamp using for example the Hose Clamp Pliers: V. A. G 1275A  .

Tip:

• In order to position the Hose Clip Pliers: V. A. G 1275A  correctly, move the driveshaft a little toward the rear.

-- Tighten the heat shield -1- to the transmission -arrows-.

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-- Install the center heat shield. Refer to OVERVIEW - UNDERBODY TRIM PANELS .

-- Install the crossmember. Refer to TUNNEL BRACE, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Install the underbody trim panel. Refer to appropriate service information .

-- Install the exhaust system and align it without tension. Refer to appropriate Exhaust System article, Exhaust Pipes/Mufflers; Overview - Mufflers .