Mission Impossible - Driveshaft Removal

[GRIZZLY69]

So Im trying to replace the bushings in my trans to get rid of the slop in it. To do that I need to get the driveshaft out of the way and im having a b**ch of a time. All the bolts/nuts are off, the sliding coupling is loose, and I cannot get it out.

It’ll bend and be able to be pulled almost all the way off the trans. The guibo is literally hanging on the studs by mm’s and she wont budge any further.

Wondering if anyone has any recommendations or insight on to where I may be getting hung up on?

Thanks

[Turbo E30]

I had the same problem last year, just remove the differential. Once i did that you can slide the whole assembly out easily.

[glnr13]

I personally would rather disconnect the DS from the diff than remove the diff.

Is that collar/nut thing broken loose? The thing that sits behind the CSB... break it loose and you can shorten the DS, gotta use some elbow grease.

[GRIZZLY69]

Yeah I dont really want to pull the diff if I dont have to.

I have knocked it loose and the two halve slide but its just not enough. Like exactly not enough. It feels like the guibo is holding onto the studs by a hair but just will not give it to me. I may just give er a good yank tomorrow and see what happens.

[AndrewBird]

Maybe I'm remembering this wrong, but there shouldn't be studs through the guibo, there are bolts and nuts. They should pull all the way out and the driveshaft will drop down.

Like so:

[uturn]

There's also the centering bushing at the front of the driveshaft pinned to the transmission output shaft. You'll have pry it back enough to clear that before it'll drop down.

[e30davie]

It comes out with the gearbox and the differential in place.

You do need to drop the gearbox cross member though so you can get a few more millimeters. out of it.

[locar]

I had this same problem. You just have to keep turning and prying and eventually it will come off. If you have the vibration damper, you won't be able to just unbolt it because it's in the way.

[tomstin]

I've been here! I'm sure you have the back half of the exhaust out. Put a jack under the transmission, remove the transmission cross member, lower the transmission an inch or so. A piece of 2X4 under the front half of the exhaust, which has a "little" flex to it will buy you another bit. Compress the sliding piece of the driver shaft and you should be able to weasel the drive shaft out.

Once you get it out, and replace the bushings, REMEMBER to pre-load the center support bearing. I screwed mine up not doing that. Had to take it all back down AGAIN!