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I removed the 6 bolts connecting the driveshaft to the rear differential. Removed the 6 bolts connecting the front of the driveshaft. Loosened the driveshaft center bearing. Front driveshaft connection dropped out easily. The connection to the differential did not, so I gave it a few raps with a hammer. Nothing. Tried to pull it toward the front of the car to disengage it. Nothing. The manual says "Using a suitable tool, detach the driveshaft from drive pinion flange" What suitable tool?? Ultimately it needs to move toward the front of the car at least a smidge to disengage from the drive pinion flange There is a universal joint in this connection so I don't want to go at it with larger and larger hammers. Looking at it I'm not even certain where it separates from the flange. See attached photo. Should I go at it with a chisel at the seam at the red arrow? Blue arrow?
The item to the left of your blue arrow is a dust cap, and it also has the rubber boot that is attached to the driveshaft with a band. The groove that the blue arrow points to is where it should seat on the joint. The blue arrow points to the CV joint itself.
The red arrow points to the join between the differential flange and the CV joint. It's a tight fit, and you might have some rust in there holding it. I'd remove the bolts holding the centre bearing completely, so the rear joint is is the only thing in there. The CV joint is retained to the driveshaft with a snap ring, and there is movement in the CV joint between the *****, so you could try using the driveshaft itself as a slide hammer to pull the CV joint out of the differential cup. With the bolts out the only thing holding it is friction. I changed mine yesterday, so I know it comes out!
Last edited by Jagboi64; Mar 10, 2021 at 04:49 PM.
Lol, Motorcarman!!
Old saying in my younger days as a teenager working as a diesel mechanic helper for the local municipality bus line =
"If it doesn't move, use a bigger hammer".
Driveshaft removal
