Removing and installing propshaft tube: VW Passat B6 (BWS, CBRA, CDLC, CDLF, …)

🧭 Before you start

Fits: VW Passat B6 (3C, 2005–2010)

• Renewed: propshaft

Don't miss

• Mark position of propshaft with flexible coupling relative to output shaft of bevel box.
• After pendulum support securing bolts are loosened, the engine/gearbox assembly will swing slightly forwards (towards front of car). Ensure that seal (arrow) in flange of propshaft is not damaged during removal or installation.
• Check if there are coloured marks on flexible coupling and on propshaft flange of rear final drive (arrows). If not, mark positions of flexible coupling and propshaft flange of rear final drive relative to each other (arrows).
• Do not tighten intermediate bearing until propshaft has been tightened.
• There are no balancing nuts with balancing washers on the "“Golf R32 NAR”" or the "“Passat R36”".For the Golf "“R32 RDWR”", these balancing nuts with balancing washers can be installed if needed through week 27/07.

🔧 Engine codes this applies to

📐 5 workshop diagrams for BWS

Real factory drawings for this job — timing marks, bolt locations and routing. Locked in the free view.

📋 Procedure

1. Remove noise insulation General body repairs, exterior50Noise insulation.
2. Remove tunnel cross member and separate exhaust system at clamp (arrows)26Exhaust system; Removing and installing parts of exhaust system.
3. Unhook rear silencer at retaining loops and remove rear part of exhaust system.
4. Remove front exhaust pipe 26Exhaust system; Removing and installing parts of exhaust system.
5. Remove heat shield (arrows) under propshaft.

6. Support propshaft along rear propshaft tube using engine and gearbox jackV.A.G 1383 A.
7. Secure propshaft with strap to prevent it from falling down.
8. Mark position of propshaft with flexible coupling relative to output shaft of bevel box.
9. Unbolt propshaft with flexible coupling from output shaft of bevel box.
10. Remove bolts (2) and (3) for pendulum support on gearbox. [Note: After pendulum support securing bolts are loosened, the engine/gearbox assembly will swing slightly forwards (towards front of car). Ensure that seal (arrow) in flange of propshaft is not damaged during removal or installation.]
11. Check if there are coloured marks on flexible coupling and on propshaft flange of rear final drive (arrows). If not, mark positions of flexible coupling and propshaft flange of rear final drive relative to each other (arrows).
12. Unbolt rear propshaft with flexible coupling and vibration damper from rear final drive (arrows).
13. Unbolt propshaft intermediate bearing from body (arrows)
14. Guide propshaft forwards (towards front end). In the process, also press engine/gearbox assembly slightly forward if necessary.
15. Pull off propshaft from propshaft flange of rear final drive.
16. Then pull propshaft off output flange of bevel box. [Note: Do not cant propshaft during removal; pull horizontally off centring pin. Centring sleeve seal must not be damaged (arrow); otherwise the complete propshaft must be renewed.Keep propshaft straight; store and transport fully extended only.] [Note: Do not damage seals (arrow) in propshaft flanges during removal and installation.Renew propshaft if damaged.Do not cant front or rear propshaft tube; push horizontally onto respective centring pin.All parts of propshaft which have been marked relative to each other must be reinstalled in the same positions.Torque settings]
17. Attach propshaft to propshaft flange of rear final drive and output flange of bevel box so that marks (arrows) align.
18. Align intermediate bearing in its elongated holes so that neither propshaft nor intermediate bearing is under tension.
19. Do not tighten intermediate bearing until propshaft has been tightened.
20. Install exhaust system and align free of tension 26Exhaust system; Removing and installing parts of exhaust system.
21. Install noise insulation General body repairs, exterior50Noise insulation. [Note: There are no balancing nuts with balancing washers on the "“Golf R32 NAR”" or the "“Passat R36”".For the Golf "“R32 RDWR”", these balancing nuts with balancing washers can be installed if needed through week 27/07.]
22. Remove balancing nut and balancing washer (arrows)
23. Then, if necessary, unbolt propshaft with flexible coupling from propshaft flange of rear final drive and offset it by one hole.
24. Offset propshaft by one hole again and bolt in place.
25. Install noise insulation General body repairs, exterior50Noise insulation.

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