Final Drive, Removing And Installing: Removing

Fig 1: Disconnecting Exhaust System At Double Clamp

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-- Separate the exhaust system at the clamping sleeve -arrows- and remove the rear section of the exhaust system. Refer to OVERVIEW - MUFFLER .

-- Place a pipe or tire iron -3- in the front exhaust pipe -1- and lay it on the tunnel brace -2-.

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CAUTION:

Incorrect handling can damage the coupling.

- Do not bend the coupling more than 10°.

- Do not load the coupling.

-- Remove the rear stabilizer bar. Refer to STABILIZER BAR, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the left and right drive axles from the final drive.

-- Before removing, see if there is a marking (color dot) on the flexible disc and on the flange/final drive as well as on the flange/driveshaft -arrows-. If not, mark the installation position of the flexible disc.

Fig 2: Aligning Markings On Driveshaft At Flange Of Haldex Clutch

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-- Separate the driveshaft from the rear final drive -arrows-.

Fig 3: Identifying Rear Driveshaft Tube At Rear Final Drive With Joint Washer & Vibration Damper

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-- Counterhold using Counterhold - Kit - Multiple Use: T10172 when loosening and tightening the bolts.

Fig 4: Counterholding Rear Final Drive To Loosen And Tighten Driveshaft

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-- Loosen the rear axle at the rear mounting points -arrows- and lower approximately 40 mm. Refer to OVERVIEW - REAR AXLE .

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-- Remove the rear bolts for the final drive using the Multipoint Socket: T10035 from the rear axle. A Bit: T10099/1 can also be used to remove the bolts.

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-- Support the rear final drive -1- with the Engine and Gearbox Jack: VAS6931 .

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-- Remove the bolt -arrow- for the front mounting bracket from the subframe -2-.

Always replace the bolt -arrow-.

-- Push the final drive as far as possible toward the rear.

-- Remove the driveshaft from the final drive and lay it on the tunnel brace; place a cloth on the tunnel brace to protect the shaft.

-- When removing and installing the driveshaft, always be careful not to damage the bushing -arrow-.

Fig 5: Identifying Driveshaft Flange Shaft Seal

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When removing and installing the drive axles, the final drive must be movable in the rear area.

-- To do so, install the front bolt -arrow- again by hand all the way into the front mounting bracket. Loosen the bolt not more than five turns again so that the final drive -1- remains movable.

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-- Remove the transmission jack from under the vehicle.

-- Lift the final drive -A- in the rear -arrow 1- and push it as far as possible to the right -arrow 2-.

Fig 6: Lifting Final Drive In Rear And Pushing It As Far As Possible To The Right

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-- Remove the left drive axle -B- from the flange and carefully guide it downward.

-- Put the final drive back into its installation position.

-- Lift the final drive -A- in the rear -arrow 1- and push it as far as possible to the left -arrow 2-.

Fig 7: Lifting Final Drive In Rear And Pushing It As Far As Possible To The Left

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-- Remove the right drive axle -B- from the flange and carefully guide it downward.

-- Support the final drive using the Engine and Gearbox Jack and remove the bolt -arrow- for the front mounting bracket.

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-- Secure the final drive -1- from falling using a strap and position it at an angle in the vehicle as shown using the Engine and Gearbox Jack -A- and lower it slightly at the same time.

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-- Remove the connector -B- from the All-Wheel Drive Control Module -J492- -A-.

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The connector -C- is not disconnected.

-- Unclip the vent lines -arrows- from the final drive.

Fig 8: Identifying Ventilation Lines At Final Drive And All-Wheel Drive Control Module J492 Connector

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Ignore -item A-.

-- Guide the driveshaft -A- upward and support it in this position with a suitable piece of wood on the tunnel brace -1-.

Fig 9: Guiding Driveshaft Upward And Support It In Position With Suitable Piece Of Wood On Tunnel Support

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Ignore -item 2-.

-- Pull the final drive >>forward<< when lowering. While doing so, make sure there is enough >>clearance<< to other components.