Drive Axle, Removing And Installing: Removing

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2024 Audi A4 allroad. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

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

-- Remove the expanding rivets -2-.

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-- Pull the wind deflector -1- slightly outward in direction of -arrow- and remove.

Left Side of Vehicle:

-- Remove the rear muffler. Refer to OVERVIEW - MUFFLER .

-- Heat shield version 1: remove the bolts -arrows-, nd remove the heat shield -1-.

Fig 1: Heat Shield - Bolts

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-- Heat shield version 2: remove the bolts -arrows-, nd remove the heat shield -A-.

Fig 2: Identifying Left Drive Axle Heat Shield

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Continuation for All Vehicles:

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-- Remove the bolts -arrows-, nd carefully remove the drive axle.

NOTE:

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