Me vs. Mechanic: How Difficult to Remove Front Driveshaft? (TC to Front Diff)

[nando]

Well, I guess that could be the culprit then... Not the best news I've had this week. I haven't noticed any issues with the AWD (passed a jack test when I bought it and performed flawlessly all winter) but who knows...

Ironically I instigated this operation mostly to assess the condition of the splines! Perhaps I got my answer without even seeing them. Maybe I'll know more when I talk to them/see the car in person. They've never given me any reason to suspect their work or honesty but this issue had me scratching my head.

he is completely wrong. as a general rule, ignore everything this guy says.

[nando]

If the front driveshaft splines are damaged then yes they have to move the transfer case back in order to remove the front driveshaft. Splines do get stripped on these cars. The way the front DS is removed, is flex disc is unbolted then the shaft is pushed into transfer case then the flex disc is removed, then you have enough room to push it forward then the DS is removed. But if the splines are damage it won't go into transfer case further. Same thing with rear driveshaft if the splines are rusted and the driveshaft can't collapse then rear diff has to be moved or whole engine with transmission little so that DS can be removed.

you are 100% wrong. if the driveshaft splines are stripped you don't do anything different, it comes out just the same.

the funny thing is you are completely wrong and then you use a picture I took 12 years ago as proof. lol

[iXerces]

If the front driveshaft splines are damaged then yes they have to move the transfer case back in order to remove the front driveshaft. Splines do get stripped on these cars. The way the front DS is removed, is flex disc is unbolted then the shaft is pushed into transfer case then the flex disc is removed, then you have enough room to push it forward then the DS is removed. But if the splines are damage it won't go into transfer case further. Same thing with rear driveshaft if the splines are rusted and the driveshaft can't collapse then rear diff has to be moved or whole engine with transmission little so that DS can be removed.

Well, I guess that could be the culprit then... Not the best news I've had this week. I haven't noticed any issues with the AWD (passed a jack test when I bought it and performed flawlessly all winter) but who knows...

Ironically I instigated this operation mostly to assess the condition of the splines! Perhaps I got my answer without even seeing them. Maybe I'll know more when I talk to them/see the car in person. They've never given me any reason to suspect their work or honesty but this issue had me scratching my head.

[DesertBMW]

Is he full of crap or am I the one confused? How difficult is this/how long should this really take? Is the exhaust/tranny actually in the way?

?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

If the front driveshaft splines are damaged then yes they have to move the transfer case back in order to remove the front driveshaft. Splines do get stripped on these cars. The way the front DS is removed, is flex disc is unbolted then the shaft is pushed into transfer case then the flex disc is removed, then you have enough room to push it forward then the DS is removed. But if the splines are damage it won't go into transfer case further. Same thing with rear driveshaft if the splines are rusted and the driveshaft can't collapse then rear diff has to be moved or whole engine with transmission little so that DS can be removed.

[nando]

yeah, it's probably not even a half hour if you've looked at one before.

get the car in the air. remove the front DS bolts. pop out the centering pin with a flathead screwdriver. pull driveshaft out. how could that possibly take 6-8 hours?

you don't have to touch the exhaust.. or move the transmission.. find a better shop or DIY.

[iXerces]

Thanks. That was my impression. I guess I cannot discount that something could be "seriously wrong", but overall the car is in great shape and I would be very surprised if this one spot was amiss. Not very happy about this...

I guess I'll just do it myself first chance I get. Should have just been more patient.

[pantelones]

Book time is .5 hrs for the front drive shaft.

Yep. OP you are getting ripped off, or something is seriously wrong with your car. I did this with on an IX, and it took about an hour including jacking the car up and down. I swear at least 10 minutes were spend arguing about putting the jack stands on the frame rails or front sub frame...

[Danny]

Book time is .5 hrs for the front drive shaft.

[iXerces]

Hi All,

I don't have the space/tools at the moment to work on my car and in anticipation of a coming move I'm having a little preventative maintenance done on my '90 iX with 190K. I have noticed no problems with the AWD, but because I've only had the car since August I asked my mechanic to drop the front driveshaft and inspect/lube the splines where it meets the TC.

I just got a call from him that they have 1.5 hrs of labor into it and estimate another 5-6 hrs to complete the job. He claimed that they would have to remove the exhaust and move the transmission. This did not jive with what I would have guessed, or understand from reading here/elsewhere.

I have no first-hand experience with the shaft, so for all I can personally say he is correct. But I know that a lot of you do have the experience that I lack.

Is he full of crap or am I the one confused? How difficult is this/how long should this really take? Is the exhaust/tranny actually in the way?

I told him to stop working on it, and I am hoping he isn't going to charge me since they haven't been successful and he initially estimated it would only take about an hour or two. But since these splines are critical to a functional AWD I really want to know what kind of shape they are in and get some lube on them ASAP. I can probably do this myself over the summer but I'd rather not wait that long especially since I have to drive it a couple thousand miles for the move.

Should I argue with him, take it somewhere else, or just wait and do it myself?

Thanks in advance for your advice.