A6 C7 Allroad BiTDI- front diff bearing- calling Tame tech??

[legacy4cam]

My 75k mile A6 bitdi Allroad with the ZF8HP55A transmission has a bearing whine that does not change with steering input, so I am discounting wheel bearings.

I suspect the nearside front driveshaft output "support" bearing, which looks to be a sealed bearing and runs un-lubricated (as do many driveshaft bearings) .

Has anyone changed this bearing, does the gearbox need to be removed? I have the exploded schematic diagram of the box and I suspect/ hope against hope that with the nearside driveshaft removed, I can unbolt the cover plate and withdraw the shaft that takes drive from the front diff across under the torque converter ... the bearing is on the shaft and would then be a straightforward replacement...


Is there anyone ( tame technician ??) can confirm if this is possible ?? Even better has anyone done it? I've searched extensively but can't find anything on the subject that helps me.

I have an enquiry lodged with ZF in Germany , as I'm also looking for a part number for the bearing .

Any advice gratefully received...

Legacy4cam

[legacy4cam]

It was a wheel bearing in the end.

Panic over...for now.