Need a quick tip to disconnect drive shaft
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Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: California
Need a quick tip to disconnect drive shaft
I am picking up an 87 turbo and will be towing since it's not running. I am not familiar with the driveline and wanted to know what tools (metric sizes, ratchets, etc.) I would need to disconnect the driveshaft for the tow. Any help if possible.
jayson@ps-unlimited.com
jayson@ps-unlimited.com
Locust of the apocalypse
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 2
From: Directly above the center of the earth (York, PA)
the drive shaft is connected to the rear diff by 4 bolts and nuts... a 1/2 drive ratchet, an extension, a 14MM socket, a 14mm wrench to hold the backs, a jack, 2 jackstands an adjustable wrench and a buddy.
Jack the car up by the punkin and put the jackstands under the forward (round/flat) mounts of the rear suspension.
To get the drive shaft off.. have the buddy get in the car and put the car in neutral and the e-brake on. the e-brake will hold the rear wheels and the rear diff from turning. take one bolt out, let the e-brake off, turn the shaft to get at the next bolt, put the e-brake on... and so on....
take along 10 and 12 mm sockets as well incase you have to get the exhaust off..
If you can push the driveshaft forward enough and tie it in position so that it doesn't hit the mount on the diff during the drive.. great.. otherwise you're going to have to take it out and if you do that, you'll have to drain the tranny oil or you will seriously **** off whoever is behind you as the tranny leaks on the ground out the rear output seal as you tow the car!! this is where the adjustable comes in cause its a pretty big nut!
Jack the car up by the punkin and put the jackstands under the forward (round/flat) mounts of the rear suspension.
To get the drive shaft off.. have the buddy get in the car and put the car in neutral and the e-brake on. the e-brake will hold the rear wheels and the rear diff from turning. take one bolt out, let the e-brake off, turn the shaft to get at the next bolt, put the e-brake on... and so on....
take along 10 and 12 mm sockets as well incase you have to get the exhaust off..
If you can push the driveshaft forward enough and tie it in position so that it doesn't hit the mount on the diff during the drive.. great.. otherwise you're going to have to take it out and if you do that, you'll have to drain the tranny oil or you will seriously **** off whoever is behind you as the tranny leaks on the ground out the rear output seal as you tow the car!! this is where the adjustable comes in cause its a pretty big nut!
Refined Valley Dude
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 2
From: Kitchener, Ontario (Hamilton's armpit)
That's the ***** method. 
Don't bother with the e-brake. Just take an extra (and long) wrench under the car with you. Put the 14mm wrench (the socket won't fit into the space) on a nut and put the extra wrench through the 'knuckle' just ahead of where the end plates meet (you'll understand when you get under there.) Either hold the wrench still with one hand as you reef on the nut with the other, or let the wrench rest against the body of the car as you break the nut free. Repeat for each nut until they're all loose...
Don't bother with the e-brake. Just take an extra (and long) wrench under the car with you. Put the 14mm wrench (the socket won't fit into the space) on a nut and put the extra wrench through the 'knuckle' just ahead of where the end plates meet (you'll understand when you get under there.) Either hold the wrench still with one hand as you reef on the nut with the other, or let the wrench rest against the body of the car as you break the nut free. Repeat for each nut until they're all loose...
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