Trying to remove the Drive Shaft from the rear axle and having some difficultly. On the service manual it says to remove the bolts and seperate the drive shaft from the pinion yoke and withdraw the slip yoke from the transmission. Sounds easy enough but once I remove the bolts how do I seperate it from the yoke on the axle. It won't budge. Don't want to go hammering it as the manual says that could damage the bearings inside the bearing caps. I tried a bar to see could I get it to move. The only other thing I can think to do is disconnect the back axle and try and move it back to get the slip yoke out of the transmission but not sure how to get the axle section removed.

Anyone any suggestions,
Thanks.

 

Prying is correct. You simply don't want to bend the driveshaft yoke ears. I don't know how humid and salty a life the car has lived, but a penetrating oil at the u-joint caps may be helpful.

 

since your pulling the DS out, and the u-joints are clearly old they should be replaced - hammer away (within reason) and have new u-joints pressed in

 

Hi,

I have tried penetrating oil and a light tap with a hammer but no joy. I will try and pry it again tomorrow. Wasn't sure if prying it was the right thing to do but if it is I will give it another go tomorrow.

Thanks.

 

Big prybar or very long screwdriver and the caps should pop out of the diff yoke. Don't be afraid to put a little force behind it. It's unlikely a prybar will cause any damage unless you hit yourself with it when the caps pop.

 

I about fell out of my chair laughing! I pictured this exact thing happening

 

as already mentioned, a long screwdriver or prybar should do the job just fine.

if you have the original u-joints in there, bear in mind the plastic retainer that's holding the caps in place; a torch should get them to worm their way outta the weep hole in the DS

 

I did actually hit myself on the head with the prybar but got the job done.

 

Well, it's not really a "project" unless some sort of personal injury was involved, eh??

 

my dad used to say i couldn't even get near my car, let alone work on it, without managing to lose a little blood....

 

Have put blood, sweat and tears into it already and of course hit myself with the prybar.

 

It wasn't my dad but I had that said about me. I just got married and my my asks about every little scratch. I never know where they come from. lol