Volkswagen Workshop Service and Repair Manuals

Removing

If a vehicle has to be moved after removing the drive shaft, first install an outer joint and tighten to 50 Nm instead of the drive shaft, otherwise the wheel bearing will be damaged.

• ‒ Lift vehicle until the load on the front axle is relieved.

• ‒ Loosen 12-point nut.
• ‒ Disconnect drive shaft from gearbox drive flange.
• ‒ Mark installation position of bolts.
• ‒ → Remove bolts (arrow A).
• ‒ Loosen bolt (arrow B).

• ‒ → Press drive shaft out.

• ◆ When pressing drive shaft out ensure sufficient clearance is available.

• ‒ Take out drive shaft.

Installing

Remove any corrosion in threads/splines of the outer joint.

• Moisten outer joint splines and threads with oil.

• ‒ Fit drive shaft.
• ‒ Guide outer joint into wheel hub splines as far as possible.

• Coat contact surface of twelve-point nut with oil and screw on as far as possible.

• ‒ Pull outer joint into the wheel hub until the outer joint is in position.
• ‒ Connect ball joint to wishbone (35 Nm, bolts on old marks).
• ‒ Fit inner joint and tighten bolts to 45 Nm.
• ‒ Tighten 12-point nut to 200 Nm and then loosen one turn.

• ‒ → Tighten 12-point nut.

Tightening torque:

• 50 Nm + turn 30°further

• ◆ To tighten 12-point nut we recommend the angle measuring wrench V.A.G 1756.

If an angle measuring wrench is not available then tighten 12-point nut using following method.

• ‒ Lower vehicle until the wheels touch ground.

• ‒ Tighten 12-point nut to 200 Nm and then loosen one turn.
• ‒ → Tighten 12-point nut to 50 Nm.
• ‒ Mark a 12-point on the nut with a line (arrow A).
• ‒ Mark a 2nd line (arrow B) on the edge of the wheel hub above next 12-point.

The distance from one 12-point until the next 12 point is equivalent to 30°.

• ‒ Turn 12-point nut further until both lines align.