Best Tool to Use on Driveshaft (w123)
 

For an 80 240d, what're the best tools to get this giant nut loose? It's holding up phase 2 of my project:freak:. It's on the smaller driveshaft just before the two driveshafts connect. Actually, it is the smaller of the 2 driveshafts.

http://s163.photobucket.com/albums/t304/phae1017/?action=view&current=DSCF0102.jpg

belt tool
 

I ended up with some tools from Sears that are a belt that tightens around the nuts with a plastic body. Only works under these conditions: the nuts are VERY clean and dry, and the nut is not on super tight. A large pipe wrench would also work, but will destroy the nuts and I do not recommend it. When I bought a new driveshaft, the first one was on to tight. They had to overnight me a new one, that was loosened before it was shipped.

Er uh. Did you try just pulling on the shaft? I have never had to loosen that nut.

Very large sliding lock jaws ( channel locks). labled "460 Channel lock". Opened to the larges position they are 3.5 inches wide.

http://www.toolup.com/productinfo.asp?pid=%7B05E58C01-FBAF-40B0-B9A7-209A195FB7C9%7D&AdCamp=Froogle_Feed&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=froogle1&utm_term=Channel%20Lock%2 0460

Dave

Thanks, I think I'll try the "big-ass" brand lock jaws. No, the driveshaft isn't coming out, it's just barely sticking in with all the play in the unbolted transmission.

channel locks and a pipe wrench worked for me.

Yes - exactly those Channel Lock slip pliars as shown in the tool link. You should be able to find them at a local outlet like HD, Sears, Lowe's, Autozone, etc.

I got by fine with just the one set of pliars, with the transmission locked in park. There's no way you can do any damage to the locking pawl in the transmission with just your hand pressure on these pliars, and they should be strong enough to get that big driveshaft nut loose.

When you get the back section of the driveshaft off, use the remaining short section of driveshaft to make sure the yoke on the transmission is still securely held on with the special locknut it uses. These have been known to loosen up over time and not cause a big problem - until you take the driveshaft off and cause the alignment to change because that fastener is loose.

Done this job too many times. I finally learned to jack one back wheel up off the ground while making sure the two front wheels and other rear wheel are securely chocked. This allows you to turn the driveshaft assembly around, making access to all those flex disk bolts MUCH easier. Again, you use Park to hold the driveshaft in place to loosen a flex disk bolt, then Neutral to move around to another section, etc.

Ken300D

big ass 6'' cresent wrench