that_tg

1. Pop out center cap and remove drive axle bolt. This is
highly torqued so remove (and install) with the wheel on
the floor. Loosen the lug bolts.

I do not have a bolt here. I have a large hex key slot. What size hex is this and why do I have this and no one else seems to?

Thanks for the help.

silverd2

17mm...every VW/Audi I've seen for years has this "hex key slot" (allen head). I've just recently done my '01 A8 and my '00 B5 Passat...both had these allen bolts. The big mistake seems to be that almost all boot kits incorrectly come with a replacement bolt with a normal bolt head...these should NOT be switched...the allen head has the proper "seating" built in. I've had to purchase the correct axle bolts separately from the same online dealers who sell the boot kits. By the way, these TRULY should be replaced, considering the high torque and stretch involved.

While on the subject, here's an interesting link for those with the intelligence to replace only the boot/grease (instead of an inferior aftermarket complete axle) when only a torn boot is involved. A properly cared for OEM outer CV joint is good for a half million miles, unless it's gone way to long with a ripped boot and is actually clicking loud and causing pulsating steering wheel:
http://forums.quattroworld.com/a8/msgs/45872.phtml

that_tg

How do all the tips show this regular bolt? Odd.

Thank you for the info. Looking for the allen bolt on Parts Geek... no luck, darn.

Very cool that I still have the original front axles. They have the 1996 date on them. My old Merkur Scorpio would be on its 4th set with the same miles.

silverd2

I got mine from PartsGeek (my favorite supplier). Look at 2000 and up....even though those are facelift A8's, ALL 97-03 A8's use exactly the same axles and axle bolts...ETKA confirms this.