Sorry for not being clear. The notch is something that you hope you cannot feel. As you slowly move the joint on 1 axis/hinge, from side to side, you MIGHT feel a detent, catch, or notch in the joint, near the center. It will be very soft. Mine had the same symptoms, and I went through the same set of repairs. I had a bad transmission mount, and bearing support, that were easy to visually confirm had failed. Don't know the order of failure, but the end result was that all 3 (driveshaft, support, and tranny mount) had to be replaced.

If you can get the driveshaft off of both front and rear flex discs, then there is no need to remove the parking brake. This is only necessary if you think you have to force something, as the extra space will allow you to bend the shaft enough to 'shorten' it.

Mercury is a boxer

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Mercury is a boxer

1984 300d
1999 Prelude
Medici road bike
Klein touring bike
Klein mtn bike