Removing and installing propshaft, Passat 2015 ►, Passat Variant 2015 ► — VW

🧭 Before you start

Remove the noise insulation, exhaust, heat shields and rear tunnel cross member, unbolt the pendulum support and wedge the power unit forward. Check or make alignment marks at the flexible coupling, final drive flange and bevel box flange, then unbolt both ends. With a helper holding the shaft, remove the centre bearing and draw the shaft out towards the rear. Refit to the marks, tighten the shaft bolts before the centre bearing, then refit the pendulum support with new bolts and the remaining parts.

Fits: VW Passat B8 (3G, 2014–)

Don't miss

• Look for coloured marks on the flexible coupling and final drive flange; if absent, mark them and the bevel box flange.
• Counterhold the final drive whenever the propshaft bolts are loosened or tightened.
• Keep the joint as straight as possible when removing, storing and fitting to protect the centre bearing boot.
• Do not damage the sleeve when pulling the shaft off or pushing it on.
• Tighten the centre bearing last, aligned in its elongated holes so nothing is under tension.
• The pendulum support goes back with new bolts.

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

📋 Procedure

1. Remove noise insulation General body repairs, exterior66Noise insulation; Assembly overview - noise insulation.
2. Remove exhaust system 26Exhaust pipes/silencers; Assembly overview - silencer.
3. Unscrew bolts (1) and (2) of pendulum support.
4. Press »engine and gearbox« forwards and secure in position with an appropriate piece of wood (A).
5. If fitted, remove drive shaft heat shield from bevel box (arrows)Running gear, axles, steering40Drive shaft.

6. Unscrew bolts (A) and (B) from bevel box and remove heat shield (1).
7. Remove heat shield for centre tunnel beneath centre propshaft bearing General body repairs, exterior66Underbody cladding; Assembly overview - underbody cladding.
8. Remove rear tunnel cross member General body repairs, exterior66Underbody cladding; Assembly overview - underbody cladding.
9. Loosen, but do not remove, propshaft from bevel box at front and from final drive at rear.
10. Counterhold at rear final drive when loosening or tightening propshaft.
11. Before removal, check if there are coloured marks on flexible coupling and on flange of rear final drive (arrows). If not, mark positions of flexible coupling and propshaft flange of final drive relative to each other (arrows).
12. Also mark position of propshaft relative to bevel box flange.
13. Unscrew propshaft bolts from bevel box at front and from rear final drive (arrows). [Note: Now, the propshaft is held in position solely by the centring pins on bevel box and final drive as well as by the centre propshaft bearing in the middle.From now on a second mechanic is required for the further removal of the propshaft.]
14. While a second mechanic is holding the propshaft in installation position, remove centre propshaft bearing (arrows) and remove propshaft towards rear with the joint as straight as possible.
15. When pulling off or pushing on propshaft, always ensure that sleeve (arrow) is not damaged.
16. ⚠ To avoid damaging the protective boot in the centre propshaft bearing, remove, store and install the propshaft with the joint as straight as possible. — Install all parts which were marked in relation to each other in their original positions.
17. Align centre propshaft bearing in its elongated holes so that neither propshaft nor centre propshaft bearing is under tension.
18. Do not tighten centre propshaft bearing until propshaft has been fitted.
19. Tighten bolts for propshaft and centre propshaft bearing. Specified torques .
20. Bolt heat shield (1) on bevel box.
21. If previously removed, install drive shaft heat shield on bevel box (arrows)Running gear, axles, steering40Drive shaft.
22. Bolt on pendulum support using »new« bolts. Specified torques: Running gear, axles, steering40Subframe; Assembly overview - subframe.
23. Install heat shield for centre tunnel beneath centre propshaft bearing General body repairs, exterior66Underbody cladding; Assembly overview - underbody cladding.
24. Install exhaust system 26Exhaust pipes/silencers; Assembly overview - silencer.
25. Install rear tunnel cross member General body repairs, exterior66Underbody cladding; Assembly overview - underbody cladding.
26. Install noise insulation General body repairs, exterior66Noise insulation; Assembly overview - noise insulation.

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