i hope someone knows that's cruising this thing...

Got the three bolts out of the rear flex disk.
Got teh two bolts out that hold the center support mount.
Disconnected that big nut that holds the two driveshaft parts together...


I can't seem to get the driveshaft OUT of the car...

whta have i missed...???

thanks much!!!

__________________
alimony

i'm pretty sure dieselgiant said that i didn't have to remove the front flex disc.

but now i'm reading in the gaynes manual and it says that both front and rear flex discs need to be taken off the car.

ugh

anyone?

__________________
alimony

The driveshaft is held with the front flex disc and the rear flex disc. It's also supported in the center via the support bearing.

You're not getting it out with the front flex disc attached.........

damn, ok. but why take the big sleeve nut off if i'm to remove the whole drive shaft anyways

thanks brian, for your post.

__________________
alimony

You might be OK with leaving the nut in place if you're removing the entire shaft. I never tried it using such an approach. Advise on the outcome.

But, when you go back in, you're could be fighting the length if anything changes (new flex discs for example).

thing is, it's just so hard to get to the nuts on the front flex disc. so if i can help it i would just to not have to remove it (front flexdisc/front shaft-aren't there 2 drive shafts?). my question is then, what is the big sleeve nut for if it's not to separate the two shafts? i would LOVE to just have to remove the rear shaft, especially since getting to the bolt (and the FRIGGIN nuts) on the front flex disc is turning out to be so damn difficult.


what is the function of the sleeve nut?

and is the 'center pin' on the 'final drive flange' near the rear flex disc?

and my flex discs look fine, so i won't be replacing them.

thanks

__________________
alimony

You should be able to remove the rear part of the shaft with the bearing and rear flex disk loose. Try wiggling and cursing at it. Don't forget to mark the orientation of the two halves so you can line them up again. If you want to pull the whole shaft then you will need to pull the front flex disk too.

__________________
1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

I don't think you can do it that way. The center sleeve nut is present to allow the two shafts to move axially. But, you won't be able to slide the rear shaft out of the front shaft because the diff yoke is in the way. I don't think you can force the rear shaft downward sufficiently with the front of the front shaft bolted solid to the transmission. But, I've never attempted it.

ok, i feel like i'm making some informational progress here. if i pull the rear shaft must i loosen all 6 bolts at the rear disk, or am i good with only the three that hold the rear shaft at the differential/rear flex disk?

thanks A LOT!!

don't i have to push the rear shaft forward? how far forward will it go before it will loosen up? i have the front of the car on ramps so it get kind of tight back there. any tips would be greatly appreciated.

__________________
alimony

ok. they move axially to each other. hmm...isn't that some *****?

so much for a 1 hour job LOL..

i have a hard time that the sleeve nut holds the two shafts together under all that drive pressure??? are there splines or something between them at least??

how can they move axially when the nut is loose, but not when ti's tight?

seems like there would be something else holding them axially even when the nut is tight.

but you have 15000+ posts so i think i should listen to you???

what do you think bgkast?

__________________
alimony

You only need to loosen three........from memory. The flex disc can remain on the pinion yoke.

Yep, you'll need to slide the rear shaft forward slightly to clear the pinion yoke.

If it goes forward 1/4" you're all set.

Tips: Jack up the rear of the vehicle and block the body so that you can work under there. Any other approach is suicidal.

The sleeve nut doesn't hold them together. In fact, they could basically survive without the sleeve nut, but, it's just a precaution to prevent them from sliding out from the splines. Personally, I don't think they could go anywhere under any conditions.

The nut prevents them from separating from each other when it's tight.

They cannot go anywhere axially. The transmission and the diff constrain the shafts axially.

Don't listen to me...........I don't know much.........

yeh i know it's a bit suicidal. but i do have the rear tires choked like hell.

i'm still in a quandary though, fella. you guys are each saying opposite things.

brian saying that i cna't get by without removing the front part of the drive shaft (alas).

and bg saying that it is possible to do the job without having to take off the front drive train section.


??edit: i should hit refresh before posting just in case next time...

so, the damned drive shafts don't come apart after all...hesus christo

__________________
alimony

Yes, the shaft is splined. Splines prevent radial movement.

It's basically a collet. The collet prevents axial movement when the nut is tight.

I didn't say with certainty that you cannot do it. I've never tried it that way. In theory, you'll have to bend the hell out of something in order to get the rear shaft down below the diff to slide it rearward. Maybe the front flex disc will be OK with this. It's a long way off and the rubber may have sufficient ductility to allow this.

But, depending on the forces generated, you might damage the disc in the process.........and not even know it.

Like anything else on a M/B.........ignore the FSM at your peril.

The other thing to consider:

If you do manage to get it out.........how the hell are you going to get it back? You'll have to pull down on the front shaft at the aft end while simultaneously attempting to shove the rear shaft into the splines. That's a task that I don't even want to contemplate by myself.