Audi A4: Overview - Drive Axle

1 - Cap

• Carefully drive off using a drift
• Replace if damaged
• Adhesive surface must be free of oil and grease
• Coat the sealing surface with Sealant -D 454 300 A2- before installing on CV joint.

2 - Circlip

• Replace after removing
• Insert in shaft groove

3 - Inner CV Joint

• Only replace completely
• Checking using the Vehicle Diagnostic Tester. Refer to → Chapter "Inner CV Joint, Checking".
• Grease quantity and type.
• The adhesive surfaces must be free of oil and grease.
• When installing the CV joint, thinly coat the profile shaft splines with the grease used in the joint.

4 - CV Boot

• Without vent hole
• Remove the cap carefully using a drift.
• Check for tears and scuffing
• Check the inner CV joint for damage. Refer to → Chapter "Inner CV Joint, Checking".
• The metal cap/CV joint sealing surfaces must be free of grease when installing.

5 - Backing Plate

6 - Bolts

• M8: 30 Nm +90º
• M10: 50 Nm + 90º
• Replace after removing

7 - Clamp

• Replace after removing
• Tensioning. Refer to → Fig. "Tension the Clamp using the Clamping Pliers -VAG1682A-".

8 - Drive Axle

• Removing and installing. Refer to → Chapter "Drive Axle, Removing and Installing".

9 - Clamp

• Replace after removing
• Tensioning.

10 - CV Boot

• Without vent hole
• Check for tears and scuffing
• Check the outer CV joint for damage. Refer to → Chapter "Outer CV Joint, Checking".
• The outer CV boot/metal cap sealing surfaces must be free of grease when installing
• The CV boot/drive axle sealing surfaces must be free of grease when installing

11 - Clamp

• Replace after removing
• Tensioning. Refer to → Fig. "Tension the Clamp using the Clamping Pliers -VAG1682A-".

12 - Circlip

• Replace after removing
• Insert into ring groove of shaft before installation (not visible on installed joint)
• Before installing the CV joint, align the circlip centered to the opening facing upward.

13 - Outer CV Joint

• Only replace completely
• Checking using the Vehicle Diagnostic Tester. Refer to → Chapter "Outer CV Joint, Checking".
• Removing. Refer to → Chapter "Drive Axle, Disassembling and Assembling, Outer CV Joint".
• Installing: Drive onto shaft with a plastic mallet until compressed circlip rebounds.
• Circlip must lie in joint chamfer when guiding in, guide with pliers if necessary.
• Grease quantity and type.
• The CV boot/outer CV joint sealing surfaces must be free of grease when installing.
• When installing the CV joint, thinly coat the profile shaft splines with the grease used in the joint.

14 - Bolt

• Replace after removing
• Clean the threads in the CV joint with a thread tap.
• Drive axle threaded connection, loosening and tightening. Refer to → Chapter "Drive Axle Threaded Connection, Loosening and Tightening".

Heat Shield - Tightening Specification

- Tighten the heat shield bolts to 23 Nm.

Tension the Clamp using the Clamping Pliers -VAG1682A-.

- Attach the Clamping Pliers -VAG1682- as shown.

• The jaws on the pliers must be centered -arrow- on the clamp -2-.

  Note

• The spindle threads must turn easily. If necessary, coat with MoS₂ lubricating grease.
• If difficult to tighten, for example because of dirty threads, the proper clamping force of the clamping sleeve will not be reached even when tightened to the specification.

- Tension the clamp by turning the spindle -1- with the torque wrench. Do not tilt the clamping pliers during this.

• Tightening specification: 20 Nm.

Grease Quantity and Type

  Note

• Grease the joint again when replacing the CV boot.
• Pay attention to the grease type for the outer and inner joint. Refer to the Parts Catalog.

¹⁾ Apply grease through the ball races.

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