AUDI A4 1998 B5 / 1.G Suspension Front Axle Components Owner's Manual

40-34


Fig. 2 Pressing off outer constant velocity joint
- Clamp drive axle in vise using protective jaw covers.
- Remove large clamp and slide back boot.
- Thread special tool into end of constant velocity joint until joint is
pressed off of axle shaft.

Only for rubber joint boot
The joint boot is often pressed in while being installed on the body of the
joint. This creates a vacuum inside the boot which draws it inward with a
fold (arrow) while driving. Therefore after installing, lift the boot at the
small diameter end to equalize pressure. Fig. 3 Ventilating joint boot
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40-35


Fig. 4 Positioning boot over bead of profiled shaft

Fig. 5 Installation positions of spacer washer and spring washer
(outer CV joint end)
1 - Spring washer
2 - Spacer washer (plastic)
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40-36

Axle shaft (hollow shaft), servicing


The axle shaft can be identified by a circlip on
the axle shaft at the outer joint

Removing outer joint

- Clamp drive axle in vise using protective jaw
covers.

- Remove clamps (large and small) and slide back
boot.

Driving off outer joint - Remove circlip using pointed pliers (arrow) and push back spring
washer and spacer washer.

- Only drive off using drift (brass or copper) at ball hub (arrow).
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Assembly

- When slipping boot onto profiled shaft, apply
small quantity of grease to bead on profiled shaft
and carefully position boot.

1 - Circlip
2 - Dished washer
3 - Spacer washer (plastic)
4 - Circlip (snap ring)
- Use plastic headed hammer to drive joint onto shaft until circlip
engages.

Tightening clamp
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40-38

Plastic CV joint boots

On the Audi A4, new plastic CV joint boots are
installed on the 88 mm outer joint (wheel end) of
the front axle.
The plastic boots can be identified because they
are made out of a harder material than the
rubber boots.
The harder plastic boots necessitates the use of
stainless steel clamps for attaching the boots.

Instructions for stainless steel clamps only

Tightening clamp on outer CV joint
Notes: - Position VAG1682 pliers as shown in illustration. Make sure jaws of
pliers seat in grooves of clamp (arrows -B-).
- Using torque wrench, turn spindle -A- and tighten clamp.

Do not cant pliers
Tightening torque: 20 Nm (15 ft lb)
Use a torque wrench with a range of 5-50 Nm (approx. 4-40 ft lb) (e.g.
VAG1331). Make sure spindle -A- turns freely. If necessary lubricate the spindle
threads with MOS2 grease. If the spindle does not turn freely (e.g. spindle is dirty), the clamping
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force required on the clamp will not be achieved even though the
correct tightening torque is indicated.
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