Axle Shaft Assembly: Service and Repair

Drive axles, removing and installing

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

Torque wrench V.A.G 1331:

Torque wrench V.A.G 1332:

Removing
- Remove wheel trim; pull trim cap off light-alloy wheels, (use puller in vehicle tool kit).

CAUTION: Loosen bolt for drive axle outer joint by a maximum of 90° (vehicle must be standing on its wheels to avoid risk of accident).

- Remove wheel.
- Screw all 5 wheel bolts hand-tight.
- Remove hex bolt for drive axle outer joint.
- Unbolt drive axle from flange shaft on transmission.
If not enough space is available for removing drive axle, perform the following step:





- Remove nut - 1 -, take out hex bolt and pull out both upper links - 2 - upward.
Never widen slots in wheel bearing housing using a chisel or the like.

Note:
^ Do not loosen bolts - 3 - and - 4 - as this would affect the wheel alignment of the front axle.

- Swing wheel bearing housing out to the side.
- Remove drive axle.

Installing
- Insert drive axle in wheel bearing housing.
- Insert two upper links, install new bolt and tighten new nut. Press links as far as possible toward wheel bearing housing when tightening.
- Bolt drive axle to flange shaft on transmission.
- Secure drive axle outer joint

Note:
^ The wheels must not touch the ground when initially tightening the bolt securing the outer drive shaft joint; otherwise the wheel bearing can be damaged.

For the next step a second mechanic is required.
- 1st mechanic gets into vehicle and presses brake pedal.
- 2nd mechanic tightens hex bolt for drive axle to initial torque.
Hex bolt (M14): 115 Nm
Hex bolt (M16): 200 Nm
- Install wheel and lower vehicle to the ground.
- Turn bolt securing drive axle an additional 180° (1/2

CAUTION: (Only turn the bolt through this additional angle when the vehicle is standing on wheels: risk of accident).