Table of contents: Removal ↓ Installation ↓
Removal
If present, unscrew the four bolts and remove the cross member located under the exhaust pipes.
Unscrew the nuts securing the exhaust pipe connecting clamps. Disconnect and remove the rear section of the exhaust system.
Fig. 11–3. Location of alignment marks and bolts for fastening the propeller shaft to the flange of the main rear gear
Check if there are marks on the cardan shaft and the flange of the main reverse gear for their alignment (see Fig. 11-3). If there are no marks, apply them.
Loosen the bolts securing the propeller shaft flanges to the gearbox and final drive flanges (see Fig. 11–3).
Fig. 11–6. Using a wooden wedge (1) to push the driveshaft up against the heat shield (2)
Use a wooden wedge to push the cardan shaft upwards towards the heat shield (Fig. 11–6).
Unscrew the bolts and remove the heat shield located above the propeller shaft.
Unscrew the bolts securing the propeller shaft flange to the main rear gear flange.
If equipped, release the parking brake cable retaining clip.
Remove the left shaft heat shield.
Unscrew the bolts securing the inner CV joints of the rear drive shafts to the flanges of the main rear gear.
Place a jack with the VAG 1359/2 device under the final drive.
Fig. 11–7. Location of bolts for fastening the left support of the main rear gear
Unscrew the bolts securing the left support of the main rear gear (Fig. 11–7).
Fig. 11–8. Location of bolts (1, 2, 4) for fastening the main rear gear to the rear cross member (3)
Unscrew bolts 1 and 2 securing the main rear gear to the rear cross member 3 (Fig. 11–8).
Carefully lower the final drive and remove it from underneath the vehicle.
Installation
Installation is carried out in the reverse order of removal, taking into account the following.
In the gearbox flange and the main rear gear, clean the threads for the propeller shaft mounting bolts.
Check that there is no grease on the flanges of the driveshaft. Remove the protective film from the sealing gaskets and install the gaskets on the flanges with the sticky side facing the driveshaft.
Raise the final drive enough to allow the coupling to be made rear drive shafts to the main rear gear flanges. Screw in, but do not fully tighten, the bolts securing the drive shafts to the main rear gear flanges.
Raise the main rear gear, install it in place and secure it with bolts 1 and 2 to the rear cross member (see Fig. 11–8).
When installing the propeller shaft, to avoid imbalance, align the marks on the propeller shaft flange with the marks on the flanges of the gearbox and the main reverse gear (see Fig. 11–3).
Screw in the bolts securing the propeller shaft to the flanges of the main rear gear.
Tighten the bolts securing the drive shafts to the main rear gear flanges.
Check the oil level in the final drive.
Check that the exhaust system is free and does not touch the body.