What would be the Repercussions of permanently removing front axles on my 96 2.8 Quattro. Id like to return some power back from the all wheel drive system by converting it to two-wheel drive seeing as I live in Texas and have virtually no need for all wheel drive.

-I figured I could just pop out the front two axles and only leave the rear in. What do you all think?

 

Not sure of repercussions as I don't know the Audi system yet but why ruin it? AWD even in dry non snowy areas is nice to have. I live in Houston had a wrx now looking for a Quattro a4.

 

For one thing, you need the front axles to keep the wheel bearings from splitting, and for another thing the car probably won't move or if it does the center diff will soon die, and you will be stuck in the middle of nowhere Texas.

 

Take them out and the car won't move. You have to weld the center diff to run RWD. Removing the axles won't work. Look in the B5 subforum for a RWD thread by member b5blazing. He's done it.