Drive/Propeller Shaft: Service and Repair

Drive shaft, removing and installing

Notes:
^ No repairs may be carried out to the drive shaft.
^ Drive shaft must be tied up or supported if the drive shaft is only disconnected at the transmission or rear final drive.
^ Only remove and install drive shaft with 3298 alignment fixture.
^ Keep drive shaft straight, only store and transport it fully extended.
^ If complaints concerning noise and/ or vibrations are received, check driveshaft adjustment before replacing drive shaft. Adjustments





1. Rear final drive
2. Drive shaft
3. Gasket
^ Always replace
^ Remove protective foil
^ Apply to drive flange
4. Lock plate
5. Socket-head bolt
^ Always replace
^ Self-locking 55 Nm (41 ft. lbs.)
^ Always clean threaded holes for bolts in drive flange (e.g. using thread tap)
6. Shims
^ Determining thickness.
7. Nut
^ 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.)
8. Stud
^ 10 Nm (7 ft. lbs.)
^Removing and installing Fig. 1
9. Transmission





Fig. 1 Removing and installing stud
- Remove and install stud using two nuts -A-.
Installation position: stud short thread is screwed into vehicle (arrow).
Removing and installing drive shaft
Special tools and equipment





^ 3139/3 Spacers
^ 3298 Alignment fixture
^ VAG1331 Torque wrench
^ VAG1332 Torque wrench

Notes:
^ Before removing, mark the positions of all parts in relation to each other.
Reinstall in the same position, otherwise imbalance will be excessive and the mounts could be damage causing rumbling noises.
^ Keep drive shaft straight; only store and transport fully extended.

A twin pillar lifting platform should be used when working on the drive shaft.

Removing
- Remove rear section of exhaust system. Refer to Exhaust System.





- Remove heat shield -A- from vehicle underbody.
- Remove cover plate -B- (arrows).





- Mark position of front and rear drive shaft sections on both constant velocity joints with paint, if not already marked.
- Remove upper 3 securing bolts in each drive shaft constant velocity joint.





- Install 3298 alignment fixture with 3139/3 spacers and tighten plastic nuts.
- Remove remaining securing bolts on front and rear constant velocity joints.





- Remove securing nuts (arrows) for intermediate mounts and remove drive shaft together with alignment fixture.

Installing
Installation is the reverse of removal, when installing note the following:
- Threaded holes in drive shaft: drive flanges of transmission and rear final drive must be cleaned of all locking material residue. Thread tap is suitable for this.
Otherwise securing bolts may shear when screwing in.
- Replace seal for drive shaft on flange of transmission or rear final drive (remove protective foil and adhere seal to joint).





- Make sure that marks on drive shaft flange (arrow -A-) and on transmission or rear final drive (arrow -B-) are in line.
- Install rear section of exhaust system. Refer to Exhaust System.








Tightening torques
Intermediate bearing to body 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.)
Drive shaft to transmission 55 Nm (41 ft. lbs.)
Drive shaft to rear final drive 55 Nm (41 ft. lbs.)
Protective plate -B- to transmission (arrows) 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.)