I finished the RWD DIY on my 05, and I am really happy with the results. I followed instructions from a couple different sources on this forum, but never did find a comprehensive, DIY thread with pictures, so I thought I would do one here for the benefit of folks like me that like a little more detail before diving in. If you can change your own oil, you can do this. I do recommend taking this on with a helper, however, as there are a few steps that are definitely easier with a second set of hands.
Step 1: Stuff you will need to Buy.
First, you need to source some stub axles to hold the wheel to the hub after the axles extending from the differential to the wheel hubs are removed. You can obviously buy the Balboni stubs ($$$) or one of the options available from various forum vendors/members ($). Based on a tip from a forum member I bought the following audi/vw units, which come with the entire CV Joint assembly, boot, and new axle bolt. You will need two, one for each side, but 48 bucks per side with free shipping is pretty hard to beat. Here is the part number and Amazon link:
8E0407452X - 1 Year Warranty - FEBEST # 1710-A4B6A45
Amazon.com: 8E0407452X - 1 Year Warranty - FEBEST # 1710-A4B6A45: Automotive
The new axle bolt that comes with the new stub axles takes a 27 mm socket, so you will want to source one before you start (found one at autozone for a few bucks). In my case, the OEM axle bolts you will need to remove required a 17mm allen socket, which I also found at autozone. See Pic 1. The only other “special tool” you may need is the triple square bit for the axle to differential bolts (see pic No. 2), but if you don’t have one you can use an 8mm allen bit (its not ideal, but it will work in a pinch. I’m not sure of the size of the oem bit needed as I opted to use my 8mm allen bit). The rest of the tools you will need are normal stuff that should be in any toolbox. Pic 3 shows the entire axle assemblies supplied by the above-vendor.
Step 1: Stuff you will need to Buy.
First, you need to source some stub axles to hold the wheel to the hub after the axles extending from the differential to the wheel hubs are removed. You can obviously buy the Balboni stubs ($$$) or one of the options available from various forum vendors/members ($). Based on a tip from a forum member I bought the following audi/vw units, which come with the entire CV Joint assembly, boot, and new axle bolt. You will need two, one for each side, but 48 bucks per side with free shipping is pretty hard to beat. Here is the part number and Amazon link:
8E0407452X - 1 Year Warranty - FEBEST # 1710-A4B6A45
Amazon.com: 8E0407452X - 1 Year Warranty - FEBEST # 1710-A4B6A45: Automotive
The new axle bolt that comes with the new stub axles takes a 27 mm socket, so you will want to source one before you start (found one at autozone for a few bucks). In my case, the OEM axle bolts you will need to remove required a 17mm allen socket, which I also found at autozone. See Pic 1. The only other “special tool” you may need is the triple square bit for the axle to differential bolts (see pic No. 2), but if you don’t have one you can use an 8mm allen bit (its not ideal, but it will work in a pinch. I’m not sure of the size of the oem bit needed as I opted to use my 8mm allen bit). The rest of the tools you will need are normal stuff that should be in any toolbox. Pic 3 shows the entire axle assemblies supplied by the above-vendor.