setflyn41

I recently bought this car and it was advertised as non quattro fwd only but after learning more about the car I realized it does have awd and the haldex is there but the axles weren't connected, I called the PO to ask why they took them off but he said he didn't even know they weren't there (maybe he did who knows)

I bought axles from a salvage yard and everything to put them on I was just wondering if i might run into any issues that anyone can think of? I jacked the car up and put it in gear and the hubs where the axles used to be seemed like they are spinning ok I'm was just confused on why they weren't there and it wasn't too expensive of a gamble to buy axles and just try it

J. Patterson

Interesting. Never heard this one before :-) I would certainly install them and see what happens. The only reason that I can imagine removing them would be because the Haldex controller failed and caused binding on sharp turns. THAT can be repaired with another Haldex controller though. Do check to make sure the driveshaft is still connected from the bevel box on the transaxle to the Haldex however before you install the axles. If there were a mechanical problem with the differential, I suppose one could remove the driveshaft AND the axles and in effect have a FWD car. I would expect to have error codes though and perhaps a CEL or at least a lighted ABS light.
Good luck!

setflyn41

Yeah I was pretty confused when I realized the quattro badge on the glovebox and looked under it to see the haldex with no axles connected, the driveshaft is connected properly and I don't really care to replace a controller as long as the diff itself is fine. My only thoughts on why they weren't there is maybe somebody tore up an axle and couldn't afford new ones (pretty hard to find new and likely expensive) or the diff had an issue or some kind of noise, I'll throw them on my next day off and hope for the best!

Fast_

Wow I've newer run into something like this.