Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Drive Axle, Inserted Inner Joint
Special tools and workshop equipment required
- Aluminum Wedge T10161
Removing
-- Remove the noise insulation. Refer to Removal and Installation .
-- Loosen wheel side drive axle threaded connection.
- Refer to DRIVE AXLE HEX BOLT CONNECTION, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING
- Refer to DRIVE AXLE TWELVE-POINT BOLT WITH RIBS, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING
- Refer to DRIVE AXLE TWELVE-POINT BOLT WITHOUT RIBS, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING
-- Remove the wheel.
-- Remove the hex nuts -arrows- on the ball joint.
-- Remove the nut from the vehicle level sensor linkage, if applicable.
-- Disengage the transverse link from the ball joint.
-- Tip the suspension strut outward while pressing drive shaft out of wheel bearing unit with a brass drive (possibly tapping lightly)
Do not let the drive axle hang down. The inner joint could be damaged if it is bent too far.
A second technician is needed for the following steps.
-- Position the T10161 between the transmission housing and inner triple roller joint.
-- Drive the drive axle out of the transmission by striking the T10161 once.
-- Remove drive axle.
Installing
Installation is the reverse of removal, with special attention to the following:
-- Replace the drive axle circlip each time it is removed.
-- Apply approximately 0.5 g of grease around the joint pins in area -A-.
-- Install the drive axle on the transmission side.
-- Slide the drive axle into the transmission until the circlip engages.
-- Lightly coat the splines on the outer joint with assembly paste before installing the outer joint into the wheel hub.
Check drive axle for secure fitting in transmission by pulling joint piece against resistance of the securing ring. When checking, only pull on the joint piece and not on the drive axle.
Tightening specifications, refer to WHEEL BEARING HOUSING AND WHEEL BEARING UNIT OVERVIEW .
Tightening specifications, refer to SUBFRAME, DIAGONAL BRACE, BALL JOINT, STABILIZER BAR, TRANSVERSE LINK, BRACKET AND VEHICLE LEVEL SENSOR OVERVIEW .
-- Tighten wheel side drive axle threaded connection.
- Refer to DRIVE AXLE HEX BOLT CONNECTION, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING
- Refer to DRIVE AXLE TWELVE-POINT BOLT WITH RIBS, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING
- Refer to DRIVE AXLE TWELVE-POINT BOLT WITHOUT RIBS, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING
-- Perform a headlamp basic setting using the VAS 5051B if the vehicle has automatic headlamp range control.
-- On vehicles with electronically-controlled damping (Audi magnetic ride), reprogram the control position using the VAS 5051B.
NO RELATED
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.