Diff/prop - Im stuck again!

[jmc330i]

What is it with me and diffs???

First I break some fingers when trying to change the diff on a mates 318iS where the diff to prop bolts were stupidly tight and now Im just as stuck on my 318i touring.

The diff to prop bolts arent moving and neither are the prop to gearbox bolts
Ive tired everything I know and just cant get them to move - I know I cant use my right hand properly at the moment, so my brother is coming to have a try this evening but I dont think they will undo

At the moment Im seriously thinking about cutting the prop and pulling the engine, box and front prop section out in one go.

Any other suggestions on how to get round the problem are most welcome.

Cheers

[smithy318i]

use a 17mm ring spanner, and a lot of WD40.

rotate the shaft so that the nut you want to remove is at the bottom.
put the car in gear (any gear)
place the spanner over the nut, then apply shit loads of pressure with your foot.

to do this, you will need to lie under the passenger side of the car and hold onto the bottom of the sill. apply firm continuous pressure. dont stamp on the spanner, as you will probably round the nut. then shout when there all off.

[jmc330i]

Already done all that

It seems someone has been there before. One of the nuts on the gearbox end seems to be rounded a little and although the spanner will grip, I dont think it will hold enough for me to undo it.

[Martinaston]

Sounds like you need to overcome your finger snapping fear

I've come to the conclusion that my spanners are just not up to the job so i'm on the lookout for some longer ones

I ended up just about getting a socket on them and used a breaker bar.

[jmc330i]

Sounds like you need to overcome your finger snapping fear

I think its justified - and Im using my left hand most so I dont want to break any on that hand as well

I've come to the conclusion that my spanners are just not up to the job so i'm on the lookout for some longer ones

If you find any, could you let me know - I need something to make it easier next time round.

I ended up just about getting a socket on them and used a breaker bar.

How did you manage that? I had a go, but wasnt even close to getting a socket on there.

Is 17mm the correct size for sure? All my 17mm spanners seem a bit loose, even the brand new one! The nuts are metric size for sure?

[Andy335Touring]

At the moment Im seriously thinking about cutting the prop and pulling the engine, box and front prop section out in one go.

Undo the spline adjuster locking nut and the center bearing and separate the two halfs ?

[Ant]

There are some 16mm nuts floating about, always worth making sure you have a 16 and 18mm when working on German stuff, I think they just like to annoy us

Heat the nuts up with a a blowlamp, they will come undone easy M8, ruins the guibo, but who cares, new one going on anyway right !

[Jhonno]

try using 2 spanners to give more leverage (ie link them together)

[jmc330i]

Ive got an extension for the spanner, so leverage isnt a problem - I just cant believe how tight they are (again), the diff on the Sport came out easy.

ruins the guibo, but who cares, new one going on anyway right !

When Ive decided what engine is going back in

[jmc330i]

Undo the spline adjuster locking nut and the center bearing and separate the two halfs ?

Is that possible with the prop still on the car?

What tool is needed to undo the locking nut?
Ive got some big grips, but they are too big to fit inside the tunnel.

[DanThe]

If its a 1.8 you should have just about enough room to move the engine forwards enough to split the 2 halfs. I doubt you will be able to hoist it out though if thats what your planning

[jmc330i]

Engine and gearbox are coming out and with some gentle persuasion (and a load leveller on the engine hoist) the prop front section will come out as well.

Whats the best tool to undo the locking nut though? There doesnt seem to be much space.

[DanThe]

Just general pipe grips like these
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BACHO-ADJUSTABLE- ... dZViewItem

[jmc330i]

Thanks

The set of those Ive got are massive and wont fit in the tunnel, but Im sure I can get hold of some smaller ones.

Cheers

[Brianmoooore]

If you split the prop, and intend to use it again, mark the two halves, so that you can slide it back together exactly as it was, or else you will have vibration problems.
I've come across, I think, 16, 17 and 18mmm nuts in this application.
You should be able to get a socket on the bolt heads at the guibo end OK.

[jmc330i]

Thanks Brian

I marked the prop earlier when I tried to undo the centre nut - I should have some smaller grips tomorrow, so all being well it will get sorted.

Ive checked all the nuts and they are all 17mm (16mm too small), so Im guessing theyve had a bit of abuse before

[jmc330i]

And one more post to get me my 1500