[s-cars] S6 driveshaft R&R question

[Rokas Reipa]

Thanks for the reply, Ray. I have been researching this endeavor for a while
and have so far come to the following conclusions:
1) the center carrier bearing can be replaced with a BMW part, various
numbers of which are floating around. The bolt pattern for the support is
different and needs to be drilled out accordingly.
2) The front and rear CV joints are to be repacked but nobody really
replaces them. If they run dry for a long time, they need to be replaced. I
have read somewhere that CV joints off of a Porsche 911 turbo shaft fit
fine.
3) Very vaguely, I recall reading somewhere that the u-joint is the same as
on some old mercedes model(gullwing?). The replacement procedure is still a
mystery to me. I believe it needs to be repaired/fixed. Is there NO WAY of
doing that?

One thing I am not doing is spending $1100 for a new driveshaft from Audi.
I'd also rather not spend the $405 quoted me by a few driveshaft rebuild
places. The center bearing can be picked up for around $35 and this R&R
sounds like a weekend's project, if that. Has anybody actually done this?
I'd really like to hear some BTDT's...I absolutely hate the fact that Audi
made this driveshaft 'non-serviceable'. Thanks so much for all your help.
Its wobbling up a storm now and I'd really like to get this done, if at all
possible.

Rokas
95.5 S6
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ray Tomlinson" <ray at s-cars.org>
To: "Rokas Reipa" <rokas at umd.edu>; <s-car-list at audifans.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 11, 2004 11:10 PM
Subject: RE: [s-cars] S6 driveshaft R&R question


Rokas,

The center u-joint is non-serviceable on the UrS4/6 - it is staked in.  You
can, however, remove the front portion of the shaft from the u-joint and
replace the bearing, but you will need a MAPP torch to separate the splined
gear from the u-joint.

List wisdom dictates that the center rubber carrier may be replaced with a
unit from a MBZ, but that you need to fabricate/modify the bracket.  I
purchased the MBZ unit, but found that the rubber surround was of a lesser
durometer than the OE Audi unit, and did not want the added play, despite
the fact that my center rubber surround had some miles on it.

If you do not have the Audi alignment tool to remove, be sure to index the
joints on both diffs, and mark carefully the position of the center carrier
bearing, otherwise, an out-of-alignment center prop shaft will vibrate and
without a doubt will shorten the service life of both end CV's, the center
u-joint, and possibly more.

Be sure to repack completely your driveshaft CV joints, and clean up any
mess.

Ray

-----Original Message-----
From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
[mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com]On Behalf Of Rokas Reipa
Sent: Sunday, April 11, 2004 10:14 PM
To: s-car-list at audifans.com
Subject: [s-cars] S6 driveshaft R&R question


Hey everyone. Can anybody who has ever r&r'ed an S4/S6 center driveshaft
chime in on this question: I am almost ready to begin r&r'ing mine and I
need to know what to do about a loose u-joint. I gather the one in my car is
replaceable but with what? If not, what did you guys do to it? Thanks a
bunch,

Rokas
95.5 S6



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