Axle Replacement

[oceanjoe89]

Okay guys.

So I had the bug in to get the CV joint boot fixed and they found out that the inner one is leaking, too. So, I said just replace the whole axle.

Well, they went at it and called me back like 2 hours later and said that the axle is like stuck in the transmission and that a special tool is needed to release it.

Can this happen?! I trust the shop, very much at that, and they said they had never had a problem on any of the VW axles that they had done before.

Anyone else had this problem or know what tool they need?

2003 NBC 2.0 6 Speed Tip with 90k at question here.

Thanks!

[wawalker]

Originally Posted by oceanjoe89

Okay guys.

So I had the bug in to get the CV joint boot fixed and they found out that the inner one is leaking, too. So, I said just replace the whole axle.

Well, they went at it and called me back like 2 hours later and said that the axle is like stuck in the transmission and that a special tool is needed to release it.

Can this happen?! I trust the shop, very much at that, and they said they had never had a problem on any of the VW axles that they had done before.

Anyone else had this problem or know what tool they need?

2003 NBC 2.0 6 Speed Tip with 90k at question here.

Thanks!

Nothing too special about a 10 or 12mm triple square bit--available at any auto parts store. The axle is bolted to a drive flange sticking out of the transmission--the axle does not go "in" the transmission. Sounds like someone is not as competent as you thought.

[oceanjoe89]

hmm.... yeah.... i'm starting to wonder!

[oceanjoe89]

So I've discovered that the Tiptronic trans don't use the standar 6 bolt axle... they use some other weird like wedge in axle.

anyone have any info on how to remove them? pics from a bently manual? pweeze

thanks!

[oceanjoe89]

voila... found it.

2003 6 speed Tiptronic CV axle

the only post on the entire internet that I can find that even is remotely helpful, and it is entirely helpful...

[wawalker]

Well I stand corrected! I can't help you out on Bentley either, since mine is for Jettas and Golfs which didn't get the 6 speed Tip, I've just got info on the 01M and 09A.

[oceanjoe89]

Originally Posted by wawalker

Well I stand corrected! I can't help you out on Bentley either, since mine is for Jettas and Golfs which didn't get the 6 speed Tip, I've just got info on the 01M and 09A.

haha! i know! good thing i didn't go rip-roaring into my mechanic telling them they are idiots!! LOL...

I had no idea there were different axles for different transmission (well, the way they attach anyway...)

[Uncle Chuck]

Would this procedure be the same for a 2004 NB convertible, 1.8 turbo with Tiptronic?

[schigara]

It's held in with a C clip and it pops out. Some pop easy with just one pry bar and sometimes they are so tight you have to use 2 large flat head screwdrivers. Use a mallet and wedge one screwdriver on one side between the axle and case and then stick the other on the other side and begin hitting.

[BeetleMyHeart]

I bet the shop is afraid to do what it takes to remove the axle because they're afraid of cracking your multi thousand dollar transaxle case lol. My '05 09G has the same axle, I just replaced the inner boot on one side. You can't just pull the axle out of the diff because the only thing holding the shaft to the inner joint housing is the boot so yanking on it won't last long. I was reluctant to try wedging and prying at first but it because obvious that this is what it took. I ended up finding my widest chisel (about an inch wide) to disperse the force as much as I could, and started tapping it between the joint housing and transmission case. After a couple decent blow's it popped out.

Before reinstalling, after replacing the boot, I lubed up the clip and splines a little with some oil and it popped right back in without much effort. I would stay away from hammering it in from the hub end as these clips are more about finesse than force. Wiggle it around as your put pressure to push it back in and it should pop in.

Make sure you tell the shop not to crack your transmission case lol.