How do you split a propshaft?

Need technical Q/A then you're in the right place

Moderator: martauto

E30BeemerLad
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 16806
Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Norfolk

Post Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:53 pm

got a prop i'm taking to the pod tomorrow for collection, but need to split it.

Errr, how does one do that?, I see there is s circlip on a splined area, is that the starting point?

cheers guys
jmc330i
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Posts: 6621
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Somerset

Post Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:58 pm

Just undo the collar nut (it maybe tight) on the splined area and it will slide apart.

Make sure you mark the prop with tipex or something before you split it - it needs to be put back together on the same splines or it could be out of balance.
James
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
E30BeemerLad
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 16806
Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Norfolk

Post Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:05 pm

superb, thanks fella
E30BeemerLad
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 16806
Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Norfolk

Post Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:10 pm

Houston, we have a problem!

There's no way I have any spanner or set of mole grips big enough for that nut. Must be same size as viscous nut is it? But whatever, I ain't getting that schlaaag undone.
SGP
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 502
Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2006 11:00 pm

Post Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:26 pm

I did this on my prop shft recently but there was no unfastening involved,there should be two white dots from the factory on the shaft.I had to pull the shaft apart by having a mate hold one end with me pulling on the other,a shot of "Plus Gas" or similar penetrating fluid helped. The two halves get very tight over the years but it should start to slide apart if you persist.Good luck!
If it ain't broke..
Fix it till it is :)
E30BeemerLad
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 16806
Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Norfolk

Post Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:34 pm

naah, she ain't budging
jmc330i
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Posts: 6621
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Somerset

Post Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:44 pm

The collar nut needs undoing - it will just then 'fall' apart, no pulling should really be needed as it justs slides apart.

Plumbers grips are what you need to fit round the collar nut - Click Me
James
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
Richy325iTouring
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3490
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Newport SouthWales

Post Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:47 pm

thats all i use
Image
User avatar
Brianmoooore
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 49360
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Post Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:58 pm

plumber's grips to undo the big collar nut and it slides apart. Mark the splines relative to each other first if you ever want to use it again
E30BeemerLad
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 16806
Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Norfolk

Post Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:03 pm

thanks for the advice everyone, but I don't have a set of grips big enough or a GI Joe kung-fu grip, so it's staying whole.