Removing and installing drive shaft (left-side) — AUDI
Removing and installing drive shaft (left-side) on Audi: 8 steps. What to remove, in what order, and what to check after.
Removing the left drive shaft on the Audi with platform code FV is a straightforward front-axle job with one extra connection to watch. The hub bolt is loosened while the wheel is still on the ground, then the wheel and noise insulation come off. On cars with headlight range control, the coupling rod for the vehicle level sender is unbolted from the wishbone so it is not bent when the hub swings. The shaft is unbolted from the gearbox flange shaft and pivoted up, the wheel bearing housing is turned to the left, and the shaft is pulled out of the hub. A splined joint that will not come out by hand should be pressed out of the bearing rather than hammered, which protects the wheel bearing and the joint.
🧭 Before you start
Loosen the hub bolt with the car on its wheels, then remove the wheel and noise insulation. Detach the vehicle level sender coupling rod from the wishbone, unbolt the shaft from the gearbox flange shaft and pivot it up. Turn the wheel bearing housing left, pull the shaft out of the hub and remove it, pressing it out of the bearing if it is seized.
Fits: platform code FV
Don't miss
- Break the hub bolt loose before raising the wheel off the ground.
- Detach the vehicle level sender coupling rod so it is not damaged.
- Turn the wheel bearing housing left to give the shaft room to come out.
- If the shaft is stuck in the hub, press it out of the wheel bearing; do not hammer it.
- Have the headlight range setting checked if the level sender linkage was disturbed.
Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.
📋 Procedure
- Loosen bolt securing drive shaft at wheel hub (arrow).
- Remove wheel .
- Remove noise insulation General body repairs, exterior66Noise insulation; Removing and installing noise insulation.
- Remove nut (arrow) and move coupling rod for vehicle level sender clear of wishbone.
- Unbolt drive shaft from flange shaft on gearbox (arrows) and pivot upwards.
- Turn wheel bearing housing to left.
- Pull drive shaft out of wheel hub.
- Take out drive shaft. [Note: If the components cannot be separated, press drive shaft out of wheel bearing as described on .]
🎬 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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Who makes these pages, and how
TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.
The figures on this page come from manufacturer workshop documentation and are shown as they are. The page is assembled automatically from that data — it is not written by an AI. The AI works in the chat, where it answers for your specific car. It writes nothing here.
Variants of the same model differ. Cross-check torque against the factory manual for your engine before final tightening.
Seen a figure that does not match your manual? Write to us — we correct it and note when. support@torqfix.com
The story behind TorqFix →Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.