I have the rear end completely disconnected from the car and pulled out. I can;t get the driveshaft loose from the differnential. I have the 4 bolts out, so I think it should just pull off, right? But it won't. What do I need to do to remove it?

 

With the rear of the car supported in the air by jackstands, jack up the rear suspension which "pulls" the rear end away from the trans. If it doesnt fall after jacking up the rear end, then give the driveshaft a few light taps to move it forward toward the trans. This should enable the driveshaft to unhook itself from the groove that is in the rear section and let it fall.

 

It's already out of the car. I've soaked the flange with PB Blaster, and I've been hitting the driveshaft end with a hammer but it's not moving at all. I don't want to mess up the u-joint or the pinion bearings. What's next?

 

Use a screwdriver to try and pry the flange away from the diff. Tap with a hammer as needed.

 

oops, sorry about the mix up there. If it has already soaked in PB, simply grab on to trans end of driveshaft and push the whole driveshaft sideways. You wont hurt the U-joint by pushing against it a bit. try going back and forth and maybe up and down. It probably stuck on that groove it sits in. Good luck. If you break it, I can sell you a good shape used one from an 85 for cheap lol. I will be in Lawrence next weekend for the meet.

 

take a beat stick to it.

 

With the 4 nuts and 4 bolts off it should pull right off. 20 something years of rust might have rusted it togather. keep at it with PBB and try gentl prying it off the dif w/ a screw driver.

 

I put a big bar in the universal joint while im undoing the driveshaft bolts...then when Im ready to get the driveshaft out I give the bar a little wiggle... always does the trick for me. Keep in mind that the engine side of the driveshaft has to slide further in when removing the shaft than it does while driving, so sometimes all the penetrating lube in the world on the rear end wont help, youll still have to be forecefull to get em out.

 

FTMFW!

 

This is making me crazy. I ran out of PB Blaster, so I have to go get more. I can't get a screwdriver into the seam between the driveshaft end and the pinion flange. This was supposed to be easy. First, I pretty much dropped the tranny when it fell off the jack, now this.

 

damm that crazy that pb can't get it apart, I have never seen anything that pb cannot un-stick

As a last resort you can drill all four bolts off and start over with new ones (which if they are as stuck as they sound you will need new anyways)

 

I'm not so worried about screwing up the drive shaft. It's the diff I don't want to mess up. I'll let you know if I'd like you to bring the drive shaft to Lawrence.

 

Bolts are off. It just that the end of the shaft seems to have formed a very close and lasting relationship with the pinion flange.

 

I have a set of mechnics pry bars, which ever one I can fit in the joint, I use. Sometimes the shaft will pop off, sometimes I need to use a hammer on the pry bar. The 2 flanges can develope a pretty stout rust bond. Another option is to take a heavy drift and hammer it against the driveshaft flange. If the rear wheels are off the ground, rotate the shaft so you can hammer on all 4 sides.

You have either the worst luck, or a very rusty car.

 

my bad I read that now lol

Keep at it with the hammer, PB and some muscle, it will come off eventually...

 

I'd personally leave the bolts in but backed off so you can see a gap. This will help avoid injury/damage when it does come loose.

Two other suggestions are then to use a fine cold chisel and try and drive it inbetween the diff flange and shaft flange.

If that fails I'd buy or borrow a wedge type puller jaw set that can be tightened between the two flanges to pry them apart. I'm refering to the rear part of an axle bearfing puller if that helps

 

For the curious, this story does have a conclusion. Another day of soaking in PB Blaster, a few more whacks with a hammer, and the driveshaft separated from the pinion flange. At the same time, the rear end slipped off the jack I had it sitting on. Good thing my toes weren't under it.

 

I had one like that, Took some hard hits with a 6lb hand sledge to get it loose.

 

My last resort suggestion was about to be put it back in the car, get in, buckle up, put on a helmet, cross your fingers and DRIVE HARD!