Special tools and workshop equipment required
Removing
- Disconnect the exhaust system at the clamping sleeves -1 and 2-.
- Remove the rear section of the exhaust system. Refer to → Rep. Gr.26; Exhaust Pipes/Mufflers; Overview - Muffler.
Note
A second technician is needed to help remove the rear section of the exhaust system.

- Open the gear oil drain plug -arrow- and allow approximately 250 ml of gear oil to drain out.
- Install the drain plug -arrow- and tighten it.

- Remove the driveshaft from the rear final drive. Refer to → Chapter "Drive Shaft, Removing and Installing from Rear Final Drive".
Audi A8
- Guide the driveshaft between the fuel tank and the subframe downward toward the rear and attach it on the side.

Audi A4, A5 Coupe/Sportback/Cabrio, Q5
- Remove the front crossmember -2-.
- Remove the rear crossmember -3- and the heat shield -1-.

Audi A6 and A7
- Remove the crossmember -2-. Refer to → Body Exterior; Rep. Gr.66; Underbody Panel; Overview - Underbody Panels.

Continuation for all vehicles - except Audi A8
- Remove the bolts -arrows- for the driveshaft intermediate bearing.
- Lower the driveshaft at the intermediate bearing.
- Guide the driveshaft between the fuel tank and the subframe downward and toward the rear while doing this.
- Install the intermediate bearing bolts -arrows- by hand.
- Tie the driveshaft to the side.

Continuation for all Vehicles
- Remove the High Temperature Grease in the flange/driveshaft.
- Remove the circlip -arrow-.
Caution
Replace the circlip with a new one of the same thickness if it is stretched or damaged. Allocation. Refer to the Parts Catalog.

- Mark the position of the flange/driveshaft -B- on the pinion -A--arrow-.
Note

- Install the Two M8 x 30 bolts-arrow- in the flange.
- Remove the flange/driveshaft with the Puller - Multiple Use -VW391-.

- Lay a super absorbent cloth -A- under the final drive on the subframe.

- Knock through the metal ledge of the shaft seal -A-, for example, with a scriber -B- direction of the -arrow-.

- Then install a bolt -arrow- in this shaft seal opening -A-.

- Remove the flange/driveshaft seal -A- in the direction of the -arrow-.
-B- bolt

Installing
Install in reverse order of removal. Note the following:
- Fill the space between the sealing/dust lip halfway with Sealing Grease -G 052 128 A1-.
- Place the new shaft seal -A- on the Seal Installer - Input Shaft - Guide Sleeve -T40222/1-.
Note
Make sure the shaft seal spring is in its installation position behind the sealing lip.
- Coat outer edge of the seal with gear oil.
- Push the Seal Installer - Input Shaft - Guide Sleeve -T40222/1- and the shaft seal -A- onto the pinion -B-.
- Install the shaft seal -A- all the way in.
- Remove the Seal Installer - Input Shaft - Guide Sleeve -T40222/1-.

- Drive in new shaft seal as far as stop without tilting it.

- Position the flange/driveshaft -B- on the pinion -A- so that the marking -arrow- lines up.

- Install the Slide Hammer Set - Adapter 40 - VW771/40- in the threaded hole on the pinion.
- Secure the Retainer - Drive Flange -3028- on the flange/driveshaft using the bolts (M8 x 30) -arrows A-
- Secure the Puller - Multiple Use -VW391- with the bolt (M 8 x 45) -arrow B-. Turn the spindle on the Puller - Multiple Use in the Slide Hammer Set - Adapter 40 - VW771/40-
- Counterhold the spindle on the Puller - Multiple Use -VW391- using a socket wrench and pull the flange/driveshaft all the way in.

Install the circlip -1- as follows:
Note the Following when Replacing the Flange/Driveshaft:

- Install the driveshaft on the rear final drive.
Audi A4, A5 Coupe/Sportback/Cabrio, Q5, A6, A7
- Attach the driveshaft intermediate bearing to the body free of tension. Tightening specification. Refer to -item 9-.
- Install the heat shield and crossmember. Refer to → Body Exterior; Rep. Gr.66; Underbody Trim Panel; Overview - Underbody Trim Panel.

Continuation for all Vehicles
- Check the gear oil in rear final drive. Refer to → Chapter "Gear Oil, Checking Level, 0BC".
- Install the rear section of the exhaust system. Refer to → Rep. Gr.26; Exhaust Pipes/Mufflers; Overview - Muffler.
Input Shaft Seal, Replacing, 0BD
Input Shaft Seal, Replacing, 0BF
Flange Shaft Protective Ring, Replacing
Final Drive Removing and Installing OBD, Audi A4, A5 and Q5
Brake Rotor, Replacing, Brake 1LV and 1ZK, SQ5