Removing rear cardan shaft

Information 

• Mark the position of all parts in relation to each other before removal.
• Parts must be re-installed at the marked positions to prevent imbalance, which can cause damage to the bearings and humming noises.

Information 

• Do not store the cardan shaft kinked, but only facing upwards in elongated position with the center bearing holder.
• The center cardan shaft joint must not be kinked by more than 10°.
• The cardan shaft is held by a single-lug clip and this must be removed before disassembly.
• Always pull the cardan shaft horizontally off the output shaft all-wheel clutch or always push it on horizontally.
• If you are only separating the cardan shaft from the rear final drive, tie up or support the cardan shaft at the end of the shaft.
• To avoid damaging the cardan shaft during removal and installation, get another person to help.
• Do not carry out any repair work on the cardan shaft.

1. Mark the installation position of the cardan shaft on the rear axle differential in the matching point area (white on cardan shaft and green on rear axle differential).

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2. Loosen single-lug clip -1-  on the cardan shaft at the transmission side fully.

   For better access for tools, push the cardan shaft to the rear  .

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   Information 

   Get another person to help by pressing the brake to prevent the cardan shaft from turning. Alternatively, activate the electronic parking brake (EPB).

3. Unscrew screws -2-  on the cardan shaft -1 -  .
   1. 3.1. Replace screws and plates! 

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4. Remove heat shield and rear tunnel cross member -1-  .
   1. 4.1. Unscrew and remove screws -2-  and -3-  .
   2. 4.2. Unscrew collar nut -4-  .
   3. 4.3. Remove heat shield and cross member -1-  .

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5. Remove front tunnel support -1-  .
   1. 5.1. Unscrew and remove screws -2-  .
   2. 5.2. Remove support -1-  .

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   Information 

   The help of another person is required to prevent the cardan shaft in the center bearing from bending by more than 10°.

   Information 

   • If the cardan joint is stuck on the transfer gear, never try to loosen it by levering between the bellows, vibration dampers or transfer gear.
   • Make sure there is sufficient clearance between the rear cardan flange and transmission flange.
   • Pull the cardan shaft off the transfer gear by giving it a quick pull to the rear.
6. Remove cardan shaft -2-  with the help of another person.
   1. 6.1. Unscrew screws -3-  on the center bearing.
   2. 6.2. Press cardan shaft -2-  forward as far as it will go in extended position -direction of arrow 1 -  .
   3. 6.3. Pull rear cardan shaft flange -1-  downwards and expose it and get another person to help to secure it.
   4. 6.4. Remove cardan shaft -2-  in -direction of arrow 2-  .

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7. Visual inspection:  Check cardan shaft for damage.
   • Metal cap and retaining clips for bellows
   • Bellows
   • Flanges and splines
   • Cardan shaft and center bearing

   Replace the cardan shaft if it is damaged!