broken propshaft bearing assembly?

[fuzzy]

i dont know if im being to heavy with my right foot but i seem to have broken the propshaft centre bearing assembly. the welds have broken causing the prop to rattle around in the tunnel, ive ordered a new part and im wondering if the prop can be dropped without removing the diff and driveshafts?

[fuzzy]

and does anyone have any photos or diagrams of the propshaft as im trying to workout what is what as i have a made up prop being part ford cosworth and part bmw

[Bob_S]

there is a thread showing the underside of an e30 and it's jacking points somewhere this may help you?

[Brianmoooore]

Prop can be removed by undoing the bolts/nuts at either end on the drive flanges, and dropping the centre bearing downwards.
Heavy right foot doesn't really put any strain on the centre bearing mount as it's mounted in fairly soft rubber, unless your hyprid prop has changed this.

[fuzzy]

thanks mate,but looks like i have to remove the diff as i only have bolts on the diff end ,the front off the prop is cosworth and thats welded to the bmw end just in front of the centre bearing and that slides staight into the gearbox...bollocks. the ecp parts man says that this bearing is quite a common fault on e30's so it was probably on its way out before the engine conversion.its something else to keep me busy over the holidays

[M3Compact]

Fuzzy, why can't you undo the prop at the rear and the centre bearing and slide it out of the gearbox?

[optima]

if you remove the exhaust and heat shield then remove the bolts from the gear box end and the bush bolts you can pull the prop out with out removing the diff as the prop will split in to two parts very easy just remeber to remove the circlip and the plastic bolt when changing the bearing. good luck and jack up from the front makes life easier when pulling the prop

[fuzzy]

i can undo the prop at te rear but it doesnt drop out as it goes through the rear axle sub frame so its stuck at that end and the gearbox end doesnt have bolts as its welded to the cosworth prop just in front of the centre bearing and that goes into the gearbox about 100-150mm. i phoned the garage that done the conversion and they confirmed there is only 2 ways to do it, one is to remove the engine and box and slide it out that way and the other is to remove the diff and slide it out from the back, so i think removing the diff is the lesser of the two evils still, at least it gives me something to do during the holidays

[mrLEE30]

dont forget if it is a two piece prop to mark the two halves before you split it so that they go back together on the same splines. if you dont it will vibrate when you re assemble

mrlee

[fuzzy]

didnt know that! thanks for the advice mate