Trango

The title says it all - the throttle-dependant shudder I have been feeling at speed seems to be all but gone. Although my outer joints have enjoyed a rebuild each within the past 10k, the inners click and move... a fair bit. Shaking them, outside of the vehicle, shows they're probably DOA.

Some notes on the install:

The shafts are wholly removable by doing the following, for each wheel:

1. Loosening the axle bolt while the vehicle is on the ground and wheel/tire attached.

2. Removing the wheel/tire.

3. Cranking the steering wheel all the way to the other, respective side (so, driver's side steering wheel for the passenger's side axle shaft)

4. Removing all 6 10mm triple-square bolts with very long extensions, placing the wrench almost to the steering knuckle.

5. Removing upper pinch bolt and control arms

6. Removing the steering tie rod end.

At this point, you can, without further component removal (not even the heat shields), slide the axleshaft up and out of the vehicle.

Reconnect everything in reverse order of disassembly (making sure, especially, to reattach the tie rod after the upper control arms, otherwise it's a PITA). Antisieze EVERYTHING.

Standard rules apply, as well - jackmode required, always back up your lifting jack with jack stands, chock the wheels, and retorque lugnuts properly.

It's pretty sweet.

Shameless plug: I have my old 6mt shafts available for sale in the classifieds.

gragravar

Threadjack - did you get your electrical issue figured out?

glidar

I assume not raxles since your old ones are for sale.

audialex

Mine are still smooooth after several 1000 k's

Trango

$60 an axle. in all, the cost was the same as raxles but I keep the cores.

Trango

so, I picked up a new green coolant temp sensor, which may be one of the potentials (even without throwing a code), after brainstorming with a tech at stammler (dennis, super helpful). haven't installed yet, but I have it just in case.

Trango

fyi, 106100 miles, and this was definitely the fix.

69RS

I just did both of mine too (Raxles). The inners on both were toast...nice & smooth on acceleration now.
One option on your procedure is to just remove the bolt for the rear lower control arm. You must also remove the heat shield just above the inner cv too. Now you have room to lift the axle up next to the tranny and pull the outer cv out of the wheel hub.
I removed those %#$@* pinch bolts on my A4, they looked harmless but I ended up drilling, cutting and pressing them out.

downindenver

I've dealt with many tough -projects-, but this is one that everyone seems to complain about. My garage is full of other car project for the next few months...some hopefully my AR keeps running.

Trango

What's your other car project?