Removing the prop shaft completely

WARNING: Hot exhaust system.
Risk of burning!

Any work must exclusively be carried out with an exhaust system that has cooled down.

Preliminary work

Refer to REMOVING TANK COVER ON LEFT AND RIGHT .
Refer to REMOVING THE REINFORCEMENT STRUT .
Refer to REMOVING REAR TUNNEL CONNECTING SUPPORT .
Refer to REMOVING THE REAR DIFFUSER .
Refer to REMOVING EXHAUST SYSTEM .
Refer to REMOVING THE HEAT SHIELDS .

NOTE: RISK OF DAMAGE
Damage to prop shaft during removal.
Non-observance of the removal guidelines for the prop shaft on the rear axle differential may cause severe damage.

Loosen the recessed nut against the direction of travel in clockwise direction. The prop shaft must be loosened on the recessed nut only and exclusively in the direction of rotation otherwise the anti-twist lock of the bi-hexagonal flange nut is damaged.
In the event of a damaged anti-twist lock on the bi-hexagonal flange nut: Replace the rear axle differential.

NOTE: TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Compliance with the following instructions is required to avoid a humming from the prop shaft after refitting the prop shaft.

Before releasing the flexible disc screw connection (1) in front of the prop shaft, it must be marked with flexible disc (2) and three-hole flange (3) in a single plane.
It is a must to reassemble the three-hole flange (3) with the flexible disc (2) in the same position.

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Loosen screws.

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Loosen screws (1).
Secure the juncture shaft against twisting at the central universal joint using a suitable tool (2).
Only completely remove the screws of central mount (1) after having opened the recessed nut.

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NOTE:
RISK OF DAMAGE
Damage to rear axle differential.
Non-observance of the removal and installation guidelines may cause severe damage to the rear axle differential.
- Do not use the double hexagon head flange nut as counter support.
Loosen the recessed nut in clockwise direction (see the direction of the arrow) using special tools 0 495 554 (33 5 070) and 0 496 959 (33 0 080) .

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NOTE: Do not use the twelve-edge flange nut (1) as a counter support.
NOTE:
RISK OF DAMAGE
Damage to the bellows on the prop shaft.
If the special tool is not used, this may cause damage to the folding bellows on the propeller shaft.
- The special tool must be used when removing the propeller shaft, otherwise the bellows may be damaged with the mounting lever.
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Position the mounting lever (1) and the special tool 0 496 959 (33 0 080) between the prop shaft (3) and the recessed nut (2) with help from a second person.
Push the prop shaft (3) out of the rear axle differential with the mounting lever (1) and the special tool 0 496 959 (33 0 080) .
Remove mounting clip (1) and gasket (2).

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Remove recessed nut (1).

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