‘12 Q7 TDI rear cv shaft removal
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AudiWorld Newcomer
Joined: Feb 2025
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Looking for some help/advice! I have a 2012 Q7 TDI Prestige and I’m working on replacing a bad wheel bearing on the rear passenger side.
I got the hub off and am trying to pull the CV Axle out of the differential so that I can pull the bearing with the puller I have while keeping the knuckle on. The cv axle doesn’t have outter flange bolts like other Audi models I have seen in similar videos and I’m stuck on how to get the shaft out after pulling the boot. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
I got the hub off and am trying to pull the CV Axle out of the differential so that I can pull the bearing with the puller I have while keeping the knuckle on. The cv axle doesn’t have outter flange bolts like other Audi models I have seen in similar videos and I’m stuck on how to get the shaft out after pulling the boot. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Jan 2021
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From: USA - NM
Depends on the application of course, but many cases the CV axle bolts up to the wheel hub and the other end is simply held in place by a circlip and the fact that it really has no where to go...it's captured. I just swapped CV axles on my son's truck, and to remove them from the diff you just give a real good yank, then check to be sure the circlip came out with the axle stub, etc. On his we tried w/o releasing the knuckle, but wasn't enough room w/o popping the top ball joint so it could pivot downwards (secured by bungee cords). 
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2017
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From: Fairbanks, Alaska
I'm having a hard time visualizing what you are trying to accomplish. If you manage to succeed in replacing the bearing with the spindle fully mounted on the car, then kudos; it's gotta be easier than having it loose! However, the inner axle shaft connection is, indeed, just six bolts to mount it up. It slips further into the differential housing than on the front, though, so you will need some clearance to move it outward in order to separate. I am not sure why the bolts aren't exposed on the outer ring there (without pulling the boot loose) - perhaps there is a cover on it that needs to be pulled off first? If you look at replacement parts on sites like FCP Euro and ECS Tuning, they will give you a pretty good idea of how your OEM units should work.
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