2006 Jetta TDI Axle Flanges move in and out

[Hobhancock]

Hi all you good people

I just put a new motor in a 2006 Jetta TDI 5 speed. When putting the tranny back in I noticed the drive shafts in the tranny move back and forth. I have never seen that before. The car drives and shifts fine, but when the clutch is let out and the gas pedal is applied, there is a very noticeable clank. I am pretty sure it is from this movement in the drive, differential, flange, whatever the correct term is. Maybe a better way is to say, when the axles are unbolted from the flanges, I can push on it and move it side to side within the tranny. Is this fixable? I have had a few 02J transmissions apart, so I think I am up for it if there is a way to fix this.

Thanks

 

[tassolake]

Before you put the half shaft back in, tighten the bolt in the middle of the flange that holds it to the spider gears. This bolt may be loose.

 

[Hobhancock]

I did check to make sure the bolts holding the flanges in were tight. I suspected that in the beginning. I can grab both flanges and move them back and forth together. Something inside seems to be out of whack.

 

[A5INKY]

Sounds like the diff bearings are shot. New bearings and seals, with preload properly set per Bentley manual is the fix. Your OA4 is effectively same as an 02J in terms of rebuilding so if you are comfortable with the 02J your MKV trans shouldn't be too much different.

Just make sure you shim for preload correctly.

 

[jasonTDI]

in all likelyhood the trans is shot. Drain fluid first. If there is any aluminum in it the case is shot and you need a transmission.