Audi Workshop Service and Repair Manuals

The joint must be dismantled for replacing grease in the event of severe contamination or if ball contact surfaces are to be checked for wear and damage.

Removing

• ‒ → Use electric scriber or whetstone to mark position of ball hub with respect to ball cage and housing before dismantling (arrow).
• ‒ Swivel ball hub and ball cage.
• ‒ Consecutively take out balls.

• ‒ → Turn cage until two cage openings (arrow) are in contact with joint housing.
• ‒ Lift out cage with hub.

• ‒ → Swivel one hub segment into cage opening.
• ‒ Tip hub out of cage.

Note:

The 6 balls for each joint are of one tolerance group. Check stub axle, hub, cage and balls for pitting and signs of seizure. Excessive backlash in joint becomes apparent from load change jolts; joint is then to be replaced. Smooth areas and running marks on balls do not necessitate joint replacement.

Installing

• ‒ Insert cage with hub in joint housing.

Note:

Cage must be inserted in correct position.

• ‒ Consecutively press in opposite balls, taking care to re-establish previous position of ball hub with respect to ball cage and joint housing.
• ‒ Press half the total quantity of grease into the joint housing.
• ‒ Insert new circlip in shaft.
• ‒ Distribute remaining grease in fold.