Removing front diff and driveshafts

[Bullifamilie]

So after struggling trying to remove the speedo drive from the front diff I've decided I'll just pull the diff on the weekend.

Time is a bit limited but I'd like to get the front driveshafts out to clean, inspect and re-grease the CV's. Previously I've only removed driveshafts when removing suspension bit's and pieces. Sitting here at work I was thinking there should be nothing to stop the driveshaft being removed inwards if the diff isn't there. Is this correct?

[v-lux]

Correct.

[Bullifamilie]

Thank you

[v-lux]

I have never quite decided which way is the easiest, but there's certainly a school of thought that says if you are going to work on both driveshafts then it easier to pull the diff rather than fiddle about with the suspension each side.

Its actually quite an easy job to pull the diff, and very easy to pull the shafts once its out of the way.

[max and caddy]

i agree...remove the diff lock solenoid before as it will most likely get broken...its worth the effort!

[jebiga41]

I seem to remember myself and Dave comparing the times and it was much the same to do it either way, but i think we worked out with two people it would possibly work out quicker without removing the diff as both could work simultaneously on each side

[Aidan]

VW procedure if doing both shafts is to remove diff
you have to undo the antiroll bar mounts or the drop links in order to move the drop links aside to get the outer cv through the gap but that's all, if the link shears when you undo the nut you'll have to fix that and remove the antiroll bar too so I just undo the four bolts holding the arb mounts and then clean up the alloy blocks and use some corrosion prevention when refitting to stop galvanic corrosion of the alloy blocks against the chassis

[Bullifamilie]

thanks for the tips, I've had the diff out a couple of times so i shouldn't be getting caught out.

Is the pin for speedo drive 4.7mm or 4.5mm?, I'm thinking 4.7mm but plenty of doubt in my mind.

[Aidan]

pretty sure they are 5x28mm off the top of my head I have them in stock, but my etos has just failed on the laptop so can't check at the moment