Page 1 of 15
42-93
 
  
Rear drive axle, removing and 
installing CAUTION! 
Do not attempt to move a vehicle from which 
the drive axle has been removed. Otherwise 
wheel bearing damage will result. If the vehicle 
must be moved, install an outer CV joint in 
place of the drive axle.  1 - 
Rear final drive 
2 - 
Gasket 
Always replaceRemove protective backing and stick onto 
joint 
3 - 
Drive axle Servicing  page 42
-99
4 - 
Spacer plate 
5 - 
Bolts 
40 Nm (30 ft lb)
6 - 
Subframe 
Pa
ge 1 of 15 Rear drive axle, removin
g and installin
g
11/20/2002 htt
p://127.0.0.1:8080/audi/servlet/Dis
play?action=Goto&t
yp
e=re
pair&id=AUDI.B5.SU01.42.7 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 2 of 15
42-94
 
  
WARNING! 
The vehicle must be standing on its wheels 
when loosening or tightening. Otherwise the 
risk of an accident exists.  7 - 
Collar bolt 
Always replaceSwitching from or mixing old and new bolts 
is permissible M14 bolt: 115 Nm (85 ft lb) + 1/2-turn 
(180 ) 
8 - 
Self-locking nut 
Always replace70 Nm (52 ft lb) + 1/4-turn (90 )
9 - 
Washer 
Always replace
10 - 
Bolt Always replace
Pa
ge 2 of 15 Rear drive axle, removin
g and installin
g
11/20/2002 htt
p://127.0.0.1:8080/audi/servlet/Dis
play?action=Goto&t
yp
e=re
pair&id=AUDI.B5.SU01.42.7 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 3 of 15
42-95
      
Removing and installing drive axle (left-hand 
side)  
     
Vehicle must be standing on its wheels 
above vehicle lift 
     
-  Remove wheel trim.
     
   On light alloy wheels use puller in vehicle tool kit 
to remove trim cap 
     
- Loosen collar bolt.
     
WARNING! 
     
The vehicle must be standing on its wheels 
when loosening or tightening the collar bolt 
for the drive axle. Otherwise the risk of an 
accident exists. 
     
- Loosen wheel bolts.
     
-  Raise vehicle on lift.
     
- Remove wheel. 
     
-  Pull ABS wheel speed sensor slightly out of 
wheel bearing housing. 
Pa
ge 3 of 15 Rear drive axle, removin
g and installin
g
11/20/2002 htt
p://127.0.0.1:8080/audi/servlet/Dis
play?action=Goto&t
yp
e=re
pair&id=AUDI.B5.SU01.42.7 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 6 of 15
42-97
      
Removing and installing drive axle (right-
hand side)  
     
Vehicle must be standing on its wheels 
above vehicle lift 
     
-  Remove wheel trim.
     
   On light alloy wheels use puller in vehicle tool kit 
to remove trim cap 
     
- Loosen collar bolt.
     
WARNING! 
     
The vehicle must be standing on its wheels 
when loosening or tightening the collar bolt 
for the drive axle. Otherwise the risk of an 
accident exists. 
     
- Loosen wheel bolts.
     
-  Raise vehicle on lift.
     
- Remove wheel. 
     
-  Pull ABS wheel speed sensor slightly out of 
wheel bearing housing. 
Pa
ge 6 of 15 Rear drive axle, removin
g and installin
g
11/20/2002 htt
p://127.0.0.1:8080/audi/servlet/Dis
play?action=Goto&t
yp
e=re
pair&id=AUDI.B5.SU01.42.7