Rear Drive Shafts

Tools

Removing and installing right drive shaft

Note Removal and installation applies to vehicles with manual transmission or Tiptronic.

Removal
1. Raise vehicle and remove wheel.
2. Loosen and unscrew axle nut.
3. Push suitable protection over the drive shaft. Undo the drive shaft on the transmission.
4. Undo stabilizer mount on the stabilizer.
5. Undo the ball heads of the toe control arm and the axle strut - on the right side - and counter with special tool 9546 (Torx).
6. Press out both ball heads using special tool 9560 (press-off tool) and a commercially available press-off tool. When positioning the puller, ensure that the boot of the ball head is not damaged. If necessary, coat the boot and the press-off tool with tire mounting paste.

Note It necessary, use a driving impact to help pull off the ball head (taps of a hammer on a copper mandrel near the ball journal). The puller should press on the fastening nut, which is still fitted but loosened (protection for thread and Torx).

7. Pull the ball journal of the axle strut downwards and out of the wheel carrier (pull axle strut downwards while making sure not to tilt it).

8. Lift up the drive shaft on the transmission and press inwards out of the wheel hub toothing. At the same time, swivel the spring strut with the wheel carrier outwards (arrow). Bend the drive shaft and push out behind the wheel carrier (2 fitters necessary). Do not damage the ball joint boot. Observe the note in the following text.

Note Only optimized axle nuts - version B - for drive shaft fastening are available from the Parts Service.
These two-part fastening nuts (M22) have a moveable washer (arrows).
Retrofitting is possible for all Boxster and all 911 Carrera (996) vehicles.

Removing and installing left drive shaft

Note Removal and installation applies to vehicles with manual transmission or Tiptronic.

Removal
1. Raise vehicle and remove wheel.
2. Loosen and unscrew axle nut.
3. Push suitable protection over the drive shaft. Undo the drive shaft on the transmission.
4. Undo stabilizer mount on the stabilizer.
5. For vehicles with manual transmission, carefully unclip the clutch slave cylinder lead over the drive shaft.
6. Press the drive shaft out of the wheel hub toothing.

Note Since the drive shaft can be moved only using great force, loosen the shaft inwards with taps on a copper mandrel. Lift up the shaft near the inner joint (possible damage to the closure cap of the drive shaft may occur).
For unfavorable tolerances, the drive shaft must be pressed out of the wheel hub toothing using a wheel hub extractor.
Always check the boots for damage if continuing to use the drive shaft!
Replace the boots if necessary.

7. Push out drive shaft. To do this, lift the drive shaft backwards over the transmission holder.
For vehicles with manual transmission, push the clutch slave cylinder lead carefully forwards.
Push the shaft to the rear and push out to the side beside the wheel carrier.

Installation
- Install in reverse order.
Grease the toothing of the drive shaft with Optimoly HT,
- Carry out a visual inspection of all parts.
Replace self-locking nuts.
Use correct tightening torques.
- After assembly (for vehicles with manual transmission), check that the clutch slave cylinder lead is in its correct position and check for leaks.

Note Only optimized axle nuts - version B - for drive shaft fastening are available from the Parts Service.

These two-part fastening nuts (M22) have a moveable washer (arrows).
Retrofitting is possible for all Boxster and all 911 Carrera (996) vehicles.