Removing and Installing

Driveshaft, removing and installing
Special tools and equipment





- 3139/3 Spacers
- 3298 Driveshaft installation tool
- 3405 Driveshaft installation tool
- VAG 1331 Torque wrench
- VAG 1332 Torque wrench





- VAG 1869/2 Brake pedal applicator

Note:
^ Before disassembling, note the relative position of all the parts to one another. Reassemble in the same position, otherwise the imbalance will be too great. Imbalance may damage the bearings and generate humming noises.
^ Do not bend the driveshaft; store and transport in extended state.

Work on the driveshaft should be carried out on a two-column lifting platform.

Removing
- Remove rear section of exhaust system.





- Remove heat shield -A- from floor of vehicle.
- Remove deflector-B- -arrows-.





- Check driveshaft and flange/driveshaft on rear final drive to see whether a mark (red dot) is present.
- If there is no dot, make a colored mark to indicate position of driveshaft flange -arrow A- relative to rear final drive -arrow B-.
Vehicles with tapped holes in front of rear final drive





- Thread M10 x 100 screw -3- into rear final drive.
- To remove screws -1-, hold front and rear of driveshaft steady with a spanner -2-.
- At each constant-velocity joint on driveshaft, remove upper three bolts.

Vehicles without tapped holes in front of rear final drive
- Lower vehicle.





- Insert VAG 1869/2 brake pedal applicator.
- Operate brake pedal using brake pedal applicator.
- Raise vehicle.
- At each constant velocity joint on driveshaft, remove lower three bolts.
- Lower vehicle.
- Remove VAG 1869/2 brake pedal applicator.
- Raise vehicle.
- Turn two rear wheels in same direction to move driveshaft 1/2 turn (180°).
- Lower vehicle.
- Insert VAG 1869/2 brake pedal applicator.
- Operate brake pedal using brake pedal applicator.
- Raise vehicle.

All vehicles
Driveshaft with 60 mm diameter housing front and rear

Note: Do not place the installation tool on balance pieces.





- Insert 3405 installation tool and tighten plastic nuts.

Driveshaft with 60 mm diameter front housing and 70 mm rear housing

Note: Do not place the installation tool on balance pieces.





- Insert 3298 installation tool and 3139/3 spacers and tighten plastic nuts.
All vehicles
- Undo remaining three bolts on front and rear constant velocity joints.





- Undo retaining nuts (arrows) for intermediate bearing and remove driveshaft, together with installation tool.

Installing
Installation is performed in the reverse order of removal. Note the following:
Always replace the driveshaft mounting bolts.
- Always clean any adhesive residue from tapped holes in flanged shafts for driveshaft of transmission and rear final drive. This can be done using a tap thread.
The mounting bolts may otherwise break off when they are threaded in.





- Make certain that marks on driveshaft flange (arrow-A-) and transmission/rear final drive (arrow-B-) are in line.
If a new driveshaft is installed and the marks applied in the factory to the flange of the rear final drive are no longer visible, the radial runout of the flange/driveshaft must be measured and the colored dot on the driveshaft aligned with the new mark on the flange/driveshaft.
- Replace driveshaft seals on transmission flange and/or rear final drive flange (remove protective film and stick seal in position).

Vehicles with tapped holes in front of rear final drive





- Thread M10 x 100 screw -3- into rear final drive.
- To tighten screws -1-, hold front and rear of driveshaft with a spanner -2- to keep shaft steady.
- Screw driveshaft intermediate bearing tight.
- Remove installation tool.

Vehicles without tapped holes in front of rear final drive
- At each constant-velocity joint on driveshaft, tighten lower three bolts.
- Screw driveshaft intermediate bearing tight.
- Remove installation tool.
- Lower vehicle.





- Remove VAG 1869/2 brake pedal applicator.
- Raise vehicle.
- Turn two rear wheels in same direction to move driveshaft 1/2 turn (180°).
- Lower vehicle.
- Operate brake pedal using brake pedal applicator.
- Raise vehicle.
- At each of constant-velocity joints on driveshaft, tighten lower three mounting bolts.
All vehicles





- Tighten deflector-B- on transmission -arrows- to 25 Nm.
- Attach heat shield -A- to floor of vehicle.
- Install rear section of exhaust system.