Driveshaft removal

Donovan · Post by **Donovan** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 9:50 pm

Righto, thought this would be a simple job, 4 bolts at the diff end and then just pull the driveshaft out.

Turns out to be not quite as simple as I thought, as those 4 bolts are done up tighter than a ducks butt.

I have a socket wrench one side, and a spanner on the other side braced up, but the spanner just starts slipping on the nut and taking the edges off. Tried sticking in a screw driver thru the universal joint, and then smacking the crap out of the spanner on the bolt, but to little effect, and eventually the screw driver shakes itself loose. Just to make matters more difficult, I have already removed the brakes from the car, so can't even just yank on the handbrake.

So is there a trick of the trade I am missing somewhere to get these buggers off, or should I just admit defeat and put the rear brakes back on and use the handbrake. Or pull the diff out with the driveshaft still attached, and then attack them in the open space where I have a bit more room (car is on stands, so only a bit more than crawling room under the car).

Growler · Post by **Growler** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 10:52 pm

I wouldn't think you would need a spanner on both ends.
From memory the bolts are square at one end so they can't turn.
I have no issues taking drive shafts off. I would drain the gearbox first as this stops the oil coming out the end of the box once you pull the drive shaft.

punkoutnz · Post by **punkoutnz** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 8:20 am

Put the gearbox in 5th gear. That should help stop the shaft from spinning.

WideOpenThrottle · Post by **WideOpenThrottle** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 1:07 pm

Use an extension for the nut & another thru the universal & jam the other end against something solid [preferable the car because if you do it against the floor the car might be shifted off the stands].

Donovan · Post by **Donovan** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 1:28 pm

Thanks for the replies, will try and have another go tonight. If I still can't budge the nuts, I might just have to resign to the fact of putting the rear calipers back on, and having a go with the handbrake on hard.

Donovan · Post by **Donovan** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 9:28 pm

had another go gearbox in 5th, bar shove in the universal joint instead of a screwdriver, and got a long bar with a socket on the end (most likely the thing I should have used from the start, stupid me) and managed to crack all 4 nuts.

Driveshaft removal

Driveshaft removal

Who is online