Rear drive shaft joint separation

[ChrisA]

Morning guys

So I’m having a go at separating the two ends from the drive shaft. Sadly, but I suppose not surprising, it’s not as I’d imagined. Looking at the CAD I was expecting to see a retaining clip (part 4) when I removed the boot on the wheel end. This is not the case, see picture.

Any ideas what I should be looking for (excluding a competent) mechanic?

https://audi.7zap.com/en/rdw/audi+rs6+r ... 501010/#13

[Riggs]

Hi Chris

Most Vag cars cv joints are just knock offs. They have a snap ring which just locks them in place. The method I use to get them off is knock it on first then hit the other side and it should just come off. If you have a copper hammer or dead blown use that so you don’t damage the joint also try not to hit the cage that holds the balls as if you hit it too hard or too much they crack and it’s a new joint. Hopefully this helps and it’s not too stuck.

[ChrisA]

Hi Chris

Most Vag cars cv joints are just knock offs. They have a snap ring which just locks them in place. The method I use to get them off is knock it on first then hit the other side and it should just come off. If you have a copper hammer or dead blown use that so you don’t damage the joint also try not to hit the cage that holds the balls as if you hit it too hard or too much they crack and it’s a new joint. Hopefully this helps and it’s not too stuck.

Thanks for the reply.

So your suggesting a good tap from the outside (ABS ring side) then a good bang from the other side (red arrow, not green)?

[Shoppinit]

Yeah, in my experience, they just yank apart. Maybe you could get a tool like this, but I've never tried one:

https://www.drapertools.com/product/856 ... oval-tool/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfjqaDj_XME

Dammit, I'm going to have to order one now.

[Riggs]

Yeah tap it from the red side but hit it where the bolt goes into the shaft then straighten the joint up and hit it from the other side with a soft hammer or use a drift on the joint where the shaft is sitting into it. Hope that makes sense. Have you got a vice to put it in?

[ChrisA]

Sorted, thanks guys.

Another suggestion was to wind the hub bolt back in. This was a bit tricky with the axel removed but might be very appropriate if it wasn’t.