Final Drive, Removing And Installing: Removing

-- Remove the muffler. Refer to MUFFLER, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the rear muffler heat shield. Refer to COMPONENT LOCATION OVERVIEW - HEAT SHIELD .

-- Remove the rear stabilizer bar. Refer to STABILIZER BAR, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

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

Fig 1: Identifying Bolts

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Loosen, but do not remove, the driveshaft intermediate bearing bolts -arrows-.

Fig 2: Locating Center Bracket Screws

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

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

Fig 3: Aligning Markings On Driveshaft At Flange Of Haldex Clutch

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

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

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

Fig 4: Counterholding Rear Final Drive To Loosen And Tighten Driveshaft

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

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

Fig 5: Identifying Rear Driveshaft Tube At Rear Final Drive With Joint Washer & Vibration Damper

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

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

Fig 6: Engine And Transmission Pressed Forward And Secured With A Wood Block

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

Fig 7: Identifying Driveshaft Flange Shaft Seal

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

• If the seal is damaged, the driveshaft must be replaced.

-- Remove the driveshaft -3- from the alignment pin on the rear final drive and support with a wooden block -2- on the rear tunnel brace -1-.

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Push the rear driveshaft tube as far as possible in the direction of the transmission/

-- Disconnect the connector -1- for the All-Wheel Drive Control Module -J492- and free up the wire.

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- With a piece of wood positioned underneath, place the Engine and Gearbox Jack:VAS 6931  under the rear final drive.

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Remove the bolts -1 and 2-.

-- Install the Bearing Installer - Component Bearing Installer - Component:3346/2  with Subframe Bushing Tool Kit:3301  and Control Arm Bearing Installer - Nut Control Arm Bearing Installer - Nut:3346/3  15 mm into the body as shown.

Fig 8: Bearing Installer - Control Arm - Spindle 3346/2

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

1. Subframe Bushing Tool Kit:3301 
2. Nut Control Arm Bearing Installer - Nut:3346/3 
3. Bearing Installer - Component Bearing Installer - Component:3346/2 

-- Install the Control Arm Bearing Installer - Nut Control Arm Bearing Installer - Nut:3346/3  on the Bearing Installer - Component Bearing Installer - Component:3346/2  until, the dimension -a- = 40 mm is reached.

• Do not lower the subframe more than 40 mm.

-- Lower the Engine and Gearbox Jack:VAS 6931  until the subframe touches the Subframe Bushing Tool Kit:3301  .

-- Unclip the vent hoses -1- from the subframe.

Fig 9: Vent Hoses

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Remove the drive axles -2- to the rear final drive. Refer to DRIVE AXLE, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Loosen the bolts -3- for the rear final drive using the Multipoint Socket:T10035  and remove as far as possible.

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Remove the bolts further using the Bit XZN 14:T40312  .

• The bolts cannot be remove but are rather removed together with the final drive.

-- Remove the bolt -B- from the front bonded rubber bushing.

Fig 10: Identifying Wood Block Place On Universal Support And Supporting Final Drive With Engine And Transmission Jack V.A.G 1383 A

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Remove the washer -C- on the top of the bonded rubber bushing.

• For better illustration the following work procedure is shown without the Engine/Gearbox Jack.

-- Lift the final drive -A- in the rear -arrow 1- and push it as far as possible to the right -arrow 2-.

Fig 11: Lifting Final Drive In Rear And Pushing It As Far As Possible To The Right

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Remove the left drive axle -B- from the flange and carefully guide it downward.

-- Lift the final drive -A- in the rear -arrow 1- and push it as far as possible to the left -arrow 2-.

Fig 12: Lifting Final Drive In Rear And Pushing It As Far As Possible To The Left

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Remove the right drive axle -B- from the flange and carefully guide it downward.

-- Move back the final drive into the installation position.

-- Secure the final drive using a strap, as shown in the illustration.

Fig 13: Positioning Final Drive In Vehicle On An Angle

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

• In the illustration, the final drive is removed.

-- Tilt the final drive with the Engine and Gearbox Jack:VAS 6931  as shown, lower it and move it forward at the same time pay attention there is enough clearance to the other components.