E30 Zone

Trying to remove the diff off my 325, took out all the mounting bolts driveshaft bolts etc, got the nuts off the prop end but the bolts themselves don't want to move? Weird head on them so can't unscrew em and can't hammer em as no room. Thought I could wiggle em free with the diff free but the prop seems to be coming out with it so don't want to try that in case I damage the prop!

Problem is now I can't fit it back into the mount again so I can have a crack and getting those bolts out again, any suggestions are much appreciated! After everything was going so well..

I think you will need to remove the prop centre mount bolts, so you will have enough slack on the prop shaft to lever out from the diff flange

IIRC the bolts are fixed.

Drop the back of the diff down the clear the bush mounting bracket and wiggle it backwards.

If the diff/prop has never been off in 20+ years the prop and diff maybe rusted together a little. Get a flat-head screwdriver in the gap and wiggle.

Yeah that's what I was trying but wasn't sure how much you can pull at it, is there any chance of damaging the prop itself?

Shmallpaul wrote:Yeah that's what I was trying but wasn't sure how much you can pull at it, is there any chance of damaging the prop itself?

Unlikely!

You require a bigger Birmingham spanner.

wouldnt have thought so.

Spray some WD inbetween diff and prop bits and tomorrow maybe loose with some more giggles and wiggles.

Hah gotcha thanks ill get ready to wrestle it out in the morning

as long as you have removed

4 diff mounting bolts
4 prop to diff nuts
12 driveshaft bolts
1 diff bush nut and bolt

then it should be free.