So, I've gotten this far in my quest to remove/replace my rear axles. The driver's side 1/2 axle would not come out of diff, so I have resorted to taking down the differential.

I have the shaft-to-flex disc bolts out (x3), the top of differential-to-subframe bolts out (x4), and the intermediate bearing bolts out (x2). The differential is supported by a floor jack, and the exhaust has been disasembled.

I have loosened the "clamping nut of propeller shaft", but I still can't slide the drive shaft toward the front of the car and detach it from the flex-disc and differential.

As usual for me, I am looking for any suggestions someone might have for disengaging the "propeller shaft" and differential. I have tried a pry-bar without luck so far.

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1982 300cd, 140k miles

Remove the two bolts holding the driveshaft's center support.

(1) Does loosening the "clamping nut" more and more increase the likelihood of being able to slide the propeller shaft forward, or is it just a matter of it not being "tight"?

(2) Once the clamping nut is "loose" (I can manipulate it with my fingers) and the center bearing is loose, is there much to harm by continuing to apply more and more pry-bar force?

Thanks.

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1982 300cd, 140k miles

Thanks for replying Forced...I feel pretty certain that I have those out. That is what I am referring to by "intermediate bearing bolts"; I'm trying to apply FSM language, but may have used the wrong term.

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1982 300cd, 140k miles

I would take a punch and mark both sections of the DS where they join just in case you pull them apart. loosening the "clamping nut" more wont give more room if the DS is already sliding for and aft.

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

Are you saying the drive shaft is not separating from the Differential?

I have had a problem with the flex disc sticking to the diff yoke and or driveshaft. use a pry bar, turn the shaft and pry in different places.

loosening the clamping nut it should slide forward on the splines.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

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Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Thanks, Stevo.

That's sort of where I'm perplexed. I have loosened the intermediate bearing AND the clamping nut, with zero resulting fore/aft movement of the driveshaft. To be honest, it's still not perfectly clear what components are to be moving in relation to one another. It would seem that I can't pull apart at the clamping nut b/c both ends are still attached to flex discs at the transmission and differential, respectively. I want to slide the bulk of the driveshaft towards the front of the car, but can't figure where it's supposed to slide to! I keep getting stuck at what generally sound like the straightforward components of these jobs.

My good pry-bar is too long, and was colliding with the jack stands when I was trying to pry the driveshaft forward away from the flex disc. I bought a slightly shorter one tonight, and will try again tomorrow. I'm beginning to wonder if I will ever get back on the road. Oh well...

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1982 300cd, 140k miles

That's exactly what's happening, Charlie. The drive shaft will not move toward the front of the car, away from the flex disc that remains attached to the diff.

I will try some more with my shorter pry-bar tomorrow. I almost felt like I was close to making progress with by longer bar tonight, but the jack stands were in the way.

Thanks.

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1982 300cd, 140k miles

Flex Disk steel bushing!!


Sent this via email also:

You need to take a screw driver/punch and place it's tip alongside of the drive shaft's three lobes where you've already removeded the bolts from. There is a steel bushing insert in the flex disk which is usually held fast in the corresponding indentations of the drive shaft lobes. With a hammer, strike the edge of the bushing where it extends past the edge of the lobe, put the tip of the screwdriver/punch on it and give it a couple of good whacks. This will seperate the steel bushing from the drive shaft freeing the flex disk from the shaft allowing you to get things out. Good Luck!

I did; I rushed home from work after I had read your e-mail, convinced that I would have the differential on my work-bench by dark.

Unfortunately, it's still under the car. I went after those bushing edges with my punch (I purchased several last week when I was trying to "punch" the drivers 1/2 shaft out from the passenger side), but to no avail.

I will head back out in the AM with my prybar, punch, and mallet and try again though.

Thanks.

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1982 300cd, 140k miles

the two halves of the d-shaft assembly should slide relative eachother. I'm betting the splines that connect the two halves together and allow the forward/backward are rusted and preventing any movement. You might try soaking the spline area with some lube over night. Also, try impacts with a hammer as you push/pull on the d-shaft.

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2001 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Turbo Diesel - 4x4, auto, 3.54 gears, long bed
-------------------------------------
'92 300D 2.5 Turbodiesel - sold
'83 300D Turbodiesel - 4 speed manual/2.88 diff - sold
'87 300D Turbodiesel - sold
'82 300D Turbodiesel - sold

I've had some stubborn flexdisc' before, too. I just used a prybar between the flex disc and the 3 winged shaft on the diff. I always left the disc on the driveshaft..

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1984 123.193 372,xxx miles, room for Seven.

1999 Dodge Durango Cummins 4BTAA 47RE 5k lb 4x4 getting 25+mpgs, room for Seven.

Thanks for the replies. I have also found some useful older theads. I wasn't able to work on things much yesterday, but am hoping to get home early enough today to re-try some of your suggestions.

Thanks. Ross.

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1982 300cd, 140k miles

Interesting thread; could you post some pictures?

Don't feel too bad Ross. I've removed a couple of driveshafts and I haven't had an easy time with any of the flex disks, getting them popped loose from rear end or tranny. It is hard to believe that the small protruding bushings in the flex disks can hang on so tight!

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
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'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
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'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John