Removing Front Axle

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 9 other vehicles, including the 2013 Porsche 911, 2012 Porsche 911, 2011 Porsche 911, 2010 Porsche 911, and 2009 Porsche 911. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The front axle is removed complete with spring struts, wheel carriers, drive shafts (for all-wheel drive), steering gear and tie rods. Drain coolant and remove the brake calliper at the wheel carrier (brake hydraulic system not open).

Fig 1: Identifying Front-Axle Cross Member

Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Hexagon-head bolt for steering gear, M10. (Must not be loosened!)
Hexagon-head bolt for front axle, M12
Hexagon-head bolt for front axle, M14
Hexagon-head bolt for front axle, M14
Hexagon-head bolt for front axle, M14
Hexagon-head bolt for coolant pipe, M6. (Must not be loosened!)
Hexagon-head bolt for coolant pipe, M6. (Must not be loosened!)
Holder for coolant pipe. (Must not be loosened!)

Remove brake line holder and electric cable plug.

Fig 2: Identifying Brake Line Holder
Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
1. 1.1. Remove brake line holder on the wheel carrier at the left and right by loosening and unscrewing the screw -3- .
2. 1.2. Loosen electric cable plug by loosening and unscrewing the nut -2- .
3. 1.3. Disconnect electric cable plug -1- for the wheel speed sensor and brake pad wear indicator.
Remove connecting link on anti-roll bar.
Loosen the nut -2- and remove connecting link -1- from the anti-roll bar.

Fig 3: Identifying Connecting Link And Wheel Carrier
Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Remove left and right brake calliper.
Loosen screws -2- , remove brake calliper -1- from the wheel carrier and hang it to the side. Do not open the brake hydraulic system!

Fig 4: Identifying Brake Calliper
Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Remove diagonal braces and crash stop. Crash stop is only fitted on all-wheel drive vehicles.

Fig 5: Identifying All-Wheel Drive Vehicles Diagonal Brace
Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
1. 4.1. Remove diagonal braces -1- .
  Unscrew screws -2- and remove diagonal braces -2- .
2. 4.2. Remove crash stop (all-wheel drive only).
  Loosen and remove screws -4- and then remove crash stop -3- .
Remove restraining straps on the fuel tank.

Fig 6: Identifying All-Wheel Drive Vehicles Restraining Straps
Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
1. 5.1. Loosen and remove screws -2- and then remove the restraining straps -1- .
2. 5.2. Remove fuel tank cover.
For all-wheel drive vehicles: Remove the drive shafts on the transmission side.
Remove drive shafts -1- at the front by loosening and unscrewing the screws.

Fig 7: Identifying Drive Shaft
Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Information
- Protect the drive shafts from mechanical damage.
Remove universal joint at the steering spindle.
Information
- Use only steering wheel holders -A- that do not project into the area of the airbag unit -B- .
- If necessary, shorten guiding rod at the top -arrow- .
  
  Fig 8: Locating Steering-Wheel Holder
  Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
1. 7.1. Move steering wheel into center position.
  Secure the steering wheel in center position using the steering-wheel holder -A- .
  
  Fig 9: Locating Steering-Wheel Holder
  Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
2. 7.2. Remove universal joint.
  Loosen screw -1- on the universal joint -2- and remove it. Pull universal joint -2- off the steering spindle -3- .
  
  Make sure not to pull the red lug -4- down as well because this will only increase the amount of assembly work required.
  
  Fig 10: Identifying Universal Joint
  Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Pull connector off the range adjustment sensor (left side of vehicle only).
Remove pressure and return lines at the steering gear.
Information
- Before the feed and return lines are loosened, place a suitable container underneath to collect steering fluid.
- Wear protective goggles and gloves.
1. 9.1. Place an oil collection pan underneath the repair area.
2. 9.2. Remove tension shackle -2- for steering-oil lines on the steering gear. Unscrew screw -1- and remove tension shackle -2- .
  
  Fig 11: Identifying Steering-Oil Lines
  Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Disconnect coolant lines at the front and rear.
1. 10.1. Disconnect front coolant lines (at the left and right).
  Loosen spring clamps on the couplings and pull off coolant hoses -1- .
2. 10.2. Disconnect rear coolant lines (at the left and right).
  Loosen spring clamps on the couplings and pull off coolant hoses -2- .
  
  Fig 12: Identifying Front Axle Coolant Lines
  Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Loosen spring struts at the spring-strut dome.
1. 11.1. Loosen trim panel in the luggage compartment.
2. 11.2. Disconnect cable plug -1- for the PASM line.
3. 11.3. Loosen spring struts at the spring-strut dome by loosening and unscrewing the nuts -2- .
Remove front axle.
1. 12.1. Support the front axle and fuel tank.
  
  Fig 14: Supporting Front Axle And Fuel Tank
  Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
2. 12.2. For all-wheel drive: Loosen and unscrew the nuts -2- on the transmission support -1- .
  Loosen and unscrew studs -3- on transmission support -1- and remove transmission support -1- .
  
  Fig 15: Identifying Transmission Support Stud (All-Wheel Drive)
  Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
3. 12.3. Loosen and remove screws -1- securing front axle to body.
  Lower front axle -2- using the spring struts and remove in a downward direction.
  
  Fig 16: Identifying Front-Axle Threaded Joint
  Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.