Examination
1. Apply the parking brake, then raise the front of the vehicle and support it on stands (see "Lifting the car and placing it on supports").
2. Carefully inspect the rubber couplings that connect the drive shaft to the gearbox and final drive. Look for damage such as cracks, delamination or general destruction. If necessary, replace the coupling as follows.
Replacement
Note: New driveshaft coupling nuts will be required.
3. Remove the driveshaft as described in paragraph 7.
Front clutch
4. Apply alignment marks between the coupling and the vibration damper (where it is installed) and a cardan shaft.
5. Loosen the fastening nuts, then remove the bolts and remove the coupling from the cardan transmission. Check the condition of the vibration damper. If wear or damage is detected, replace it.
6. Position the vibration damper (where it is installed) according to the marks made before removal. On models where the bolt hole centers are offset by 40 mm from the shaft center (the diameter of the bolt hole centers is 80 mm) the damper should be positioned so that the cast indicator is directed as shown in the figure (see Fig. 8.6, a, b).
Fig. 8.6. a. Installing the vibration damper
Fig. 8.6, b. On models where the bolt hole centers are offset by 40 mm from the shaft center, the vibration damper should be installed so that the pointer is oriented as in Fig.
7. On models where the bolt hole centers are located 45 mm or more from the shaft center (diameter 90 mm and more), position the damper so that the arrow points towards the raised lug on the flange (see Fig. 8.7, a, b).
Fig. 8.7, a. On models where the hole centers are 45 mm or more from the center, position the vibration damper so that the arrow points toward the raised boss on the flange (shown by arrow) — models produced up to 12/89
Fig. 8.7, b. Location of the vibration damper alignment arrow - models produced after 01/90
8. Install the new coupling onto the shaft, making sure that the side with the inscription "dese seite zur gelenkwelle" facing the cardan shaft (where it is needed) (see fig. 8.8). Insert the mounting bolts, then install the new mounting nuts and tighten them to the required specifications.
Fig. 8.8. Install the rubber coupling, making sure that the side with the inscription faces the damper/drive shaft
9. Install the driveshaft as described in paragraph 7.
Rear clutch
10. Loosen the mounting nuts, then remove the bolts and remove the coupling from the cardan transmission.
11. Install the new coupling, then install the mounting bolts and new nuts, tightening them to the required torque.
12. Install the driveshaft as described in paragraph 7.