Drive Shaft, Removing From Rear Final Drive And Installing

Special tools and workshop equipment required 

• Counterhold - Kit - Multiple Use: T10172 
  Fig 1: Counterhold Tool T10172

  Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC
• Counterhold - Kit - Adapter 5 : T10172/5  (M8 Bolts)
• Counterhold - Kit - Adapter 6 : T10172/6  (M10 Bolts)
• High temperature grease. Refer to the Parts Information

• Pay attention to the general repair information. Refer to REPAIR INFORMATION .
• The driveshaft can be bent all the way to the center joint without force. Bending the joint forcibly all the way can damage the center joint and/or the protective boot.
• If the driveshaft is separated only from the rear final drive, the driveshaft must be tied up or supported. If necessary, the driveshaft can be bent as far as the end stop of the center without force.
• Pay attention to the tightening sequence for the driveshaft bolt on the rear final drive. Refer to Figure.

Drive Shaft, Removing from Rear Final Drive 

-- Check whether there is a color marking on the driveshaft and at flange/driveshaft on the rear final drive -arrow A- and -arrow B-.

-- If one of these markings is no longer visible (for example -arrow A- on the driveshaft), then make a mark for the missing colored dot in color.

• The mark on the driveshaft -arrow A- and on the rear final drive -arrow B- line up.

-- Remove the bolts -1- (quantity: 6) from the rear CV joint.

-- Counterhold with Counterhold - Multiple Use: T10172A  and Counterhold - Kit - Adapter 5 : T10172/5  or Counterhold - Kit - Adapter 6 : T10172/6  .

-- Remove the driveshaft from the rear final drive and tie up to the underbody or to the exhaust system.

Install the driveshaft on the rear final drive. 

• Remove any old, dry high-temperature grease from the CV joint and the driveshaft flange. Fill with the exact same amount of new high temperature grease.
• The M8 bolts threaded hole in the flange shaft on the rear final drive must be cleaned of locking fluid residue. They can be cleaned with a thread tap. If the threads are not clean, the bolts will break off when they are being installed.
• Always replace the bolts for the driveshaft and the three backing plates.

-- Replace the driveshaft flange seal for the driveshaft.

-- Position the driveshaft on the rear final drive while paying attention to the installation position:

• The marks on the driveshaft -arrow A- and on the rear final drive -arrow B- must line up.
• Maximum difference between the markings: 30°.

-- Install all six driveshaft bolts -1- by hand two to three turns.

• Tighten the driveshaft bolts -1- according to the tightening sequence. Refer to Figure.