Propshaft Removal ?

[smithy318i]

I have been working on removing the fuel tank and replacing it. However i am unable to remove the propshaft (thats the one that goes down the middle of the car from the gearbox to the diff).

I have removed the full exhaust, unbolted the guibo and the center shaft mount, as well as the shaft to diff bolts.

I thought it would just fall off after that, but it wont budge...

Help pls !!!

[craigieeb]

smithy, iv just done this 2 days ago, i foud the best way was to attack the prop from the diff side with a long extension and a hammer,

stick the extension thru the rear axle, diff side, and twat it on the prop,
it might take a couple of hit's but it comes off

[smithy318i]

will the bolt flange clear the rear axle if it pivots on the center joint?

[craigieeb]

the way i done it was to undo from the gearbox, then the bolt's on the diff, then the center bolts, then i relised it wouldn't budge and thats when the mini mel of justace came out, and hey pesto, it was out, and on the floor

[Turbo-Brown]

Shouldn't need to hit it at all!

There's a big collar with a hexagonal bit on it which you need to loosen.

Once you've done this, the prop halves can be slid together which enables you to take it off the car.

Unless that is you're talking about things being rusted up in which case, bash away

[smithy318i]

Shouldn't need to hit it at all!

There's a big collar with a hexagonal bit on it which you need to loosen.

Once you've done this, the prop halves can be slid together which enables you to take it off the car.

Unless that is you're talking about things being rusted up in which case, bash away

I got that undone with a little swearing. But the brown plastic collar doesnt move forward (AT ALL) and therefore nore does the rear shaft.

[Bob_S]

I removed the rear of the prop by...

having the rear of the car raised off the floor with the driverside rear wheel off. I got a double ended ring spanner 17mm and a rope.
Select a gear on the car and have the handbrake on. set up the spanner and the rope once in position stand a couple of feet away from the car and with a sharp yank on the rope it should "crack" the nut a little wd40 would probably help with this.

This is how I removed mine over xmas remember to mark it all up with some paint so it goes back in the right place

[craigieeb]

Tought id drag this one back up,

what's the best way of fitting the prop on to the car?

same again? undo the big center hexagonal bit, and join the two halfs to diff/gearbox, then slide it back together in the center and tighten up?

[smithy318i]

Tought id drag this one back up,

what's the best way of fitting the prop on to the car?

same again? undo the big center hexagonal bit, and join the two halfs to diff/gearbox, then slide it back together in the center and tighten up?

the gap isn't big enough for that

Join the two together, put the rear through the subframe hole but not onto the diff (deliberatly missaligned) then put the front onto the guibo. then bolt on the middle, then align the rear with the diff.

Not the easyest of jobs to do.

BTW use grease on the bolts when inserting into the guibo. it goes on a lot quicker.

[craigieeb]

great,

i thought it wouldnt be too easy,

sound's like a right faff on

oh well i'll get it done tomorow, sometime,

cheers dude : )