I'm almost done! I got every bolt loose, the only thing that's left is the driveshaft. What's the easiest way to take it out? I'm having a little trouble with it cause i don't have much room to work with. I disconnected the 4 bolts at the joints, but i still can't do anything. Could i just drop the whole rear end and slide it out of the shaft?? And why do i need to mark it? If one end stays in the transmission then its gonna stay in the same position right?

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Mods:Hooker Aerochamber 3" exhaust, gutted kitty,
March 2 piece underdrive pullies, smog pump gone,;these two made a very noticable difference.
14x4 K&N open air element filter-the best mod so far
Eibach springs with KYB's all around.
Appearance: Harwood cowl hood, Z-28 wing, painted black(7/20/00)-original color was light blue
*All these mods were made this year
Stock Options:117,000 miles on motor, 5spd, TBI, 305, T-tops
Run a best of 16.7 @85mph with traction problem. Have to try again sometime.

 

It was easiest to slide the driveshaft out at the tailhousing of the tranny. Mark it with chalk or a greese pen so you can get them close. The U-joints are a realy PITA, so it is easier to get apart with the rear/driveshaft out all ready.

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1984 z28 w/ a 357 cu in. monster engine which is looking like the posterchild for Edelbrock... all the suspension stuff... 9-bolt posi disk is in... K&N filter... 93 octane...

-=ICON Motorsports=-

 

Is the rear end hanging way down from the chassis?? Sometimes the rear will hang low enough to bind the driveline (push it back into the trans)

If not, all you do is mark the driveshaft (on the rear end yoke and u-joint cap, this way you don't get a vibration) and pull the driveshaft foward enough to clear the yoke, and slide it out of the trans. Thats all. Only those u-joint retaining bolts are keeping that thing in there.

Sometimes they are REALLY stuck in there so you have to use a big screwdriver to pry the caps out of the yoke. (be careful not to let the caps fall off the u-joint or you will loose the roller bearings inside, unless you are going to replace theu-joints)



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ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R

GO #3

 

I agree with Engineboy- that driveshaft can get stuck! I thought I was doing something wrong, until the guys at http://www.v6fbody.com told me to just pry it towards the transmission. I pried between the end of the pinion nut and the center of the u-joint with an old tire iron.

Here's a tip (unless it's too late, heh)- Wipe off all the dirt on the "exposed" driveshaft flange as it goes into the transmission. Then wipe some trans fluid on that exposed area. That way, when you pry the driveshaft towards the trans, and the flange goes all the way inside the trans, you won't damage the tranny's rear seal- which can cause a leak. Of course it's no biggie if you cause a leak back there; you can replace the seal without yanking the trans down.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

thanks guys, i already got it out. It was a piece of cake with a pry bar.