Removing and installing drive shaft, constant velocity joint VL4700 — AUDI

🧭 Before you start

Slacken the drive shaft nut on the ground, raise the car and remove the wheels. Lever off the inner joint, unbolt the support bearing, pull out the level sender and split the suspension link from the swivel joint, then press the shaft out of the hub with the adapter and press tool. On installation renew the circlip, grease the splines generously, drive the inner joint home with a sharp jolt, clean old locking fluid from hub and splines, apply fresh fluid and fit the shaft. Reassemble the suspension and tighten the 12-point nut before the fluid sets.

Fits: platform codes SF, SG

Don't miss

• Do not let the car's weight sit on the wheel bearing once the hub bolt is loose.
• Check the gearbox spline O-rings and renew them if damaged.
• Always fit a new circlip and feel it lock when the inner joint goes home.
• Remove all old locking fluid from the splines and hub before applying new.
• Tighten the 12-point nut immediately so the locking fluid does not harden first.
• Return the press tool spindle to its start position before each further pressing stroke.

Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.

🔩 Torque settings

Values can differ between engine variants — check the code stamped on your block.

ℹ️ Always cross-check the exact figure against your vehicle's factory manual before final tightening — a wrong torque can damage the engine. These values are extracted from workshop data and may not cover every variant or revision.

📋 Procedure

1. Loosen nut for drive shaft .
2. ⚠ Wheel bearings must not be subjected to load after bolt securing drive shaft to wheel hub has been loosened.If wheel bearings are loaded with weight of vehicle, bearing will be damaged. This reduces the service life of the wheel bearing.It is not permissible to loosen drive shaft bolt more than 90° if vehicle is standing on its wheels.Do not attempt to move the vehicle without the drive shafts fitted as this would damage the wheel bearing. If a vehicle nevertheless has to be moved, comply with the following:Install an outer joint instead of the drive shaft.Tighten outer joint to 120 Nm. — Loosen wheel bolts. — 120 Nm (89 lb-ft)
3. Raise vehicle 20.1Description of work; Raising vehicle with lifting platform and trolley jack.
4. Remove front wheels.
5. Lever off inner joint of drive shaft from gearbox with a tyre lever. [Note: Do not damage protective cap on inner constant velocity joint.]

6. Unscrew support bearing .
7. Unscrew nut (1).
8. Pull front left vehicle level sender G78/front right vehicle level sender G289(2) out of suspension link (3).
9. Loosen nut (1) on swivel joint but do not remove it completely.
10. ⚠ Leave nut screwed on a few turns to protect thread on pin. — Press suspension link off swivel joint using ball joint puller T10187(2).
11. Unscrew nut (1).
12. Pull suspension link off swivel joint.
13. Use bolts T10103/2 to secure adapterT 10103/1(1) to wheel bearing.
14. To allow for pressing out drive shaft (3), secure press tool T10520(2) to wheel hub using 3 wheel bolts (3).
15. It is essential to follow specified sequence. [Note: At the end of the procedure or for pressing out drive shaft further the spindle must be moved to its original position in order to deploy the hydraulic force!] [Note: When pressing out drive shaft, ensure that there is sufficient clearance to all other parts.]
16. Pull off connectors for brake pad wear indicator and speed sensor.
17. Unclip both lines from retainer on suspension strut and lay aside.
18. Pull wheel bearing housing outwards and wedge between body and suspension strut using a suitable block of wood.
19. Pull out right drive shaft from support shaft.
20. Remove drive shafts. [Note: Before installing the drive shafts, ensure that the O-rings on both sides of the gearbox splines are not damaged. Renew them if necessary.]
21. Renew »old« circlip (B) with a »new one«(A).
22. Grease area between (A) and (B)»copiously« with lubricating grease Electronics Parts Catalogue.
23. Place drive shaft on splines of final drive.
24. With a hefty »jolt«, push drive shaft as far as possible in direction (B) of gearbox. [Note: Ensure that the inner joint has been driven onto the stub shaft as far as it will go. Repeat the procedure if necessary.The retaining ring must be »felt« to engage.]
25. Grease area between (A) and (B)»copiously« with lubricating grease Electronics Parts Catalogue.
26. Place stub shaft on greased splines of final drive.
27. Tighten support bearing .
28. Completely remove residual locking fluid from splines of drive shaft (arrow A) and from contact surface/gap (arrow B) of wheel hub.
29. Apply locking fluidElectronic Parts Catalogue»all around« area on drive shaft with splines.
30. Fit drive shaft into wheel bearing.
31. Remove wooden block between body and suspension strut.
32. Route wiring harness on suspension strut in correct manner and fit electrical connectors.
33. Insert swivel joint in suspension link and tighten suspension link.
34. Tighten 12-point nut .
35. Install front wheels. [Note: Tighten 12-point nut immediately after installing drive shaft so that locking fluid does not harden first.]
36. Fit drive shaft into wheel bearing.
37. Remove wooden block between body and suspension strut.
38. Insert swivel joint in suspension link and tighten suspension link.
39. Route wiring harness on suspension strut in correct manner and fit electrical connectors.
40. Tighten 12-point nut .
41. Install front wheels.

🎬 Related video tutorial

Independent AUTODOC tutorial for the same job, filmed on a different model (A4 B5 Saloon) — the technique carries over, the fasteners and figures on this page are the ones for your car.

How to change cv joint on AUDI A4 B5 Saloon

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