Driveshaft, Removing and Installing

Driveshaft, removing and installing
A twin pillar lifting platform should be used when working on the driveshaft.

Notes:
^ Before removing, mark the positions of all parts in relation to each other. Reinstall in the same position otherwise imbalance will be excessive, the mountings could be damaged causing rumbling noises.
^ Keep driveshaft straight: only store and transport fully extended.

Removing





- Remove noise insulation in the center (arrows).





- Loosen clamp (arrows) on exhaust system and disconnect exhaust pipe.
- Unbolt rear right exhaust bracket.
- Detach exhaust from brackets.





- Unbolt catalytic converters from front exhaust pipe (arrows).

Notes: Do not bend the flexible joint (de-coupling element) in the exhaust system more than 10G, otherwise it could be damaged.





- Unbolt front exhaust mounting from subframe (if fitted).
- Remove cover panel for fuel tank (at rear right) (arrows).





- Unbolt center heat shield and exhaust bracket (arrows).





- Unbolt driveshaft from flexible coupling on bevel box - arrows - (3 bolts).

Notes: Use a suitable lever to brace the triangular flange when loosening the bolts.





- Unbolt pendulum support from subframe (arrows - A -).





- Unbolt front driveshaft tube from rear driveshaft tube at flange (arrows).
- Push front driveshaft tube forward and pivot it out of flange on rear driveshaft tube.

Notes: When pivoting out the front driveshaft tube, avoid tilting it downward further than necessary.





- Carefully pull front driveshaft tube off centering pin.

Notes: Do not damage seal (arrow) in driveshaft flange. If this seal is damaged the driveshaft must be replaced.

- Ensure driveshaft is horizontal when taking it off the guide pin.





- Tilt front driveshaft tube down and remove.
- Unbolt rear driveshaft tube with flexible coupling and vibration damper from rear final drive (arrows).





- Unbolt driveshaft center bearing from vehicle (arrows).
- Carefully detach rear driveshaft tube from centering pin.

Notes: Flexible coupling and vibration damper cannot be separated from one another. Take driveshaft off centering pin horizontally and take care not to cant when removing. Centering sleeve/seal must not be damaged otherwise the driveshaft must be replaced.

Installing
Installation is carried out in the reverse order, when doing this note the following:
^ All parts of the driveshaft marked must be reinstalled in the same positions in relation to each other.
Installation position:
^ The open side of the heat shield should be toward the bevel box.
^ The three projecting sleeves on the transmission flange, rear final drive flange and driveshaft flanges engage in the mounting holes in the flexible couplings.





Notes:
^ Do not damage the seals (arrow) in the driveshaft flanges when removing and installing. The driveshaft must be replaced if the seals are damaged.
^ Ensure driveshaft is horizontal when pushing onto guide pins.

- Align the center bearing in the elongated holes so that the driveshaft and the center bearing are not under stress.
- Tighten bolts securing center bearing to body after driveshaft has been installed.





- Align exhaust system free of stress





Tightening torques