i'm getting ready to remove my engine in my 77 240d. i have disconected the bolts on the front flex disc, but have not loostened the sleeve nut in order to uncompress the shaft. is this neccesary, or can i get the engine out and back in witout uncompressing the drive shaft? thanks fellas,
william gum
ps. what size crecent wrenches are involved in loosening the sleeve nut? thanks again

I beleive you are going to have to loosen the threaded sleeve nut on the driveshaft to remove an reinstall the driveshaft. I beleive it takes a 24mm wrench to loosen the nut. I removed mine with large channel locks as the nut is usually not very tight.
Have fun.

Bamboo is not REMOVING the driveshaft, he is merely disconnecting it so that he can pull the engine/trans as a unit. I would not collapse the drive shaft, but if I did, I would make sure that I retightened it so that I didn't pull it appart if it hangs in place while pulling the trans forward.

Good luck,