Propshaft centering bush removal

[Simon]

I'm renovating my C220 D Propshaft, due to front flex disk failure, and center bearing slightly worn.
Also need to replace the center bush at front of prop.
QUESTION: apart from blind hole bearing pullers (not in my toolbox, too expensive for occasional use) would someone please suggest a safe method of removal?

I see in a couple of the flex disk replacement threads, that people have written "chisel out the old sleeve". Not sure that I want to attack quite such an expensive item with a chisel, without a bit of prior encouragement.

Thanks for any replies!
Simon

[mbdoc]

By drilling thru the bushing with a drill bit slightly smaller than the OD of the new bushing, the bushing then will come out fairly easy.

[Simon]

M B Doc, thanks for reply.
A bit more investigation after clean-up of the complete driveshafts reveals that the centering sleeve consists of a small bronze bush, mounted in "rubber" within an outer sleeve.

I first thought that the bronze bush was exchangeable, but it's the whole sleeve that is to be replaced.

My first thought was to simply press out the sleeve using a long steel bar right through the middle of the hollow propshaft. This was soon rejected, because the diameter of the sleeve is larger than the splined aperture at the other end of the shaft.

I've now managed to extract this fairly easily by crossdrilling the sleeve at the outer end, then inserting an 8mm bolt which provides purchase for a carefully angled blunt chisel. A few taps on alternate sides quickly shifted the sleeve.

BTW, I'm handling this prop like an egg, strong but fragile. Means using cloth to protect vise jaws, light clamping, good support without undue force and so on.

I can't take credit/blame for the above method of removal, since I read it somewhere in this forum a few days ago (in the vintage section, I think) but I can't find it again, to link to this post.

I'm a little surprised that there hasn't been a thread devoted to propshaft reconditioning, my research on this site has so far provided all the info that I've needed; it's just spread around a bit!

Apologies for the over long post, hopefully it will save time for someone else.
Simon

[Simon]

Further update, once again a throwaway line in "Haynes - the bible" ie "....press in a new centering bush", leads on to even greater complications.

This front centering bush is relatively long, considering the short distance it engages into the front of the 'prop. So any misalignment would cause the front coupling out of line.

With profound apologies to anyone who makes a living out of this stuff (and therefore knows how it should really be done) I attach the picture of my homebrew alignment check.

On checking, the sleeve was well out of line. After careful adjustment (don't ask!) (ok copper mallet) it now runs straight to the limits of my test rig bodge up (I estimate 4/10,000ths ")

[Simon]

For the sake of anyone searching for the mysterious propshaft aka driveshaft alignment marks, much mentioned elsewhere on this topic, here's a pic of what you may find on the two halves of the shaft.

NB: Iff you dont have these on your prop, you will need to make your own, with paint, center punch, etc., before separating.