'87 325--changing center bearing

[Stu]

Switching out the center support bearing on a '87 325. It has the 2-pipe exhaust, coming off the manifolds. I dropped the rear section/hangers, and have the driveshaft loose (up front, middle, rear)...but I can't snake the driveshaft out around the exhaust.

I'm used to doing this on a 318, where dropping the exhaust from the manifolds is easy-peasy, but I have no desire to loosen the exhaust from those 200k m20 manifolds.

Has anyone dropped a 325i driveshaft without removing the exhaust system? If it can be done, I'd like to go that route.

Cheers

[Jordan]

Yes, you can. You will need to lower the rear half so its drooping, then you must remove the heatshield. After that unbolt the driveshaft and wiggle it down and out.

I've done it on several cars.

[Stu]

Heatshields are out. I'm afraid to put too much downward stress on the exhaust though. :? I'll mess around with it some more. Thanks Jordan

[Stu]

Thanks Jordan, we got the driveshaft out. Was a bad u-joint though, center bearing was fine. fortunately we had another 325 driveshaft around, so we'll get it back together soon enough.