Installing Rear Drive Shaft

Information 

• All screws and threaded joints on the axle must be tightened in vehicle position. Vehicle position means: vehicle standing on its wheels, or the wheel suspension is raised with a universal vehicle lift. Dimension -1- , from lower edge of wing to center of axle corresponds to vehicle position. The current height can be found in →  4495TW ADJUSTMENT VALUES FOR SUSPENSION ALIGNMENT  . Always observe the following points! 
  Fig 1: Checking Dimension Between Centre Of Wheel To Lower Edge Of Wing

  Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
• On vehicles with air springs, the respective air spring must be bled using the Porsche System Tester. → 4301IN BLEEDING AND FILLING THE LEVELLING SYSTEM
• Vehicle position can be set by carefully raising the relevant wheel bearing housing. 
• Use an intermediate layer (hard rubber)! Do not damage the brake cover plate. 
  Fig 2: Example Of Lifting Wheel Carrier Without Wheel And Brake Disc

  Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
• Screws and nuts are Geomet-coated and must not be greased. 
• Grease the splines of the drive shaft slightly with aluminum paste Optimoly TA. 
• Drive shafts must not be left hanging from the joint stop! Tie them up. 

Information 

Before installing the shaft, replace the lock ring (circlip) on the shaft as well as the shaft sealing ring in the final drive → Removing Rear Final Drive .

Make sure not to damage the sealing ring when guiding the shaft into the final drive.

• The inner end of the drive shaft must be held with both hands at the joint and inserted into the rear axle differential with a quick jerk. The outer joint must be held by a second mechanic in order to prevent damage. 
• Check that the joint is seated correctly in the rear axle differential: Hold the joint with both hands and pull outwards. 
• Visually check that the plastic protective rings are flush on the rear axle differential. 

→ Wear personal protective gear.

→ Do not raise the wheel suspension higher than the normal vehicle position (vehicle resting on wheels).

1. Grease toothing with a little Optimoly TA aluminum paste and insert drive shaft. When doing this, press inner joint together tightly.
2. Screw on the axle nut to prevent the shaft from slipping out.
3. Tighten drive shaft.
   1. 3.1. Tighten the drive shaft, in the 1st step "before installation" to Tightening torque 130 Nm (96 ftlb.)  . To do this, place the wheel carrier with the drive shaft and countering tool (shop-made) on the floor (do not damage the brake cover plate) and tighten the drive shaft. A second mechanic is required! → Tightening drive shaft 
   2. 3.2. The second tightening step is performed when the wheel bearing housing is installed! Tightening torque 460 Nm (340 ftlb.) 
      Fig 3: Tightening Drive Shaft

      Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
4. The drive shaft is installed in reverse order to removal.

   Upper trailing arm to wheel bearing housing: Tightening torque 50 Nm (37 ftlb.) +60° 

   Tie rod to wheel bearing housing: Tightening torque 50 Nm (37 ftlb.) +60° 

   Brake calliper to wheel bearing housing: Tightening torque 85 Nm (63 ftlb.) 

   Holder to wheel bearing housing: Tightening torque 10 Nm (7.5 ftlb.)