I am posting an update in case anyone is looking to do this job in the future as I just completed it.

I landed up having to only remove the heat shield and the two center-support bolts in order to slide the shaft forward enough to slip the joint out. It required "lowering" the exhaust by removing the rubber mounts and letting it hang about 4-5" at the back (while supporting it) which gave enough room to get in between the catalytic converter and the center support to get to the bolts. I didn't have to touch the 46mm nut on the drive shaft as there was enough end movement to get the old flex disc out and the new one in without touching it. If I had to get a wrench on that nut I would have had to remove the exhaust completely as it does a good job of blocking access to it when it is installed.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz