Pulling engine/trans, leave driveshaft in car?

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Jun 17, 2019 | 02:44 PM

tehjrow

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Pulling engine/trans, leave driveshaft in car?

I'm about to pull the engine with 4 speed transmission still connected. I crawled under the car and am able to easily get access to the transmission side of the driveshaft, but the diff side is hard to see. Could I just disconnect the driveshaft on the transmission side, push the yoke into the transmission, and leave the driveshaft in the car while pulling the engine and transmission?

Jun 17, 2019 | 03:44 PM

Sayfoo

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From: Orange County Ca

Probably, but it would only take about 1/2 hr to jack up the rear and disconnect it.

Jun 17, 2019 | 04:55 PM

JoeMinnesota

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From: Minnesota

Yes, but as mentioned doesn’t take long to remove. If you are going to move the car around at all, the shaft will spin with the rear end, so might end up getting caught up. In either case, be sure to wrap tape around your u-joint caps to keep them intact.

Jun 17, 2019 | 05:01 PM

lars

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From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado

Quote:

Originally Posted by tehjrow

You can do it that way no problem, but if you do, you cannot move or roll the car around after the engine has been removed. I find this to be inconvenient. The driveshaft is not difficult to remove from the rear end, so I recommend removing it so the car can be rolled if you need to move it.

Lars

Jun 17, 2019 | 07:40 PM

bazza77

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From: perth western australia

Also just be aware that gearbox yoke is just sitting in there , after you undo the shaft from it you can push it further into the back of the gbox to give you some room to drop that shaft down .

Also it might pay to get some wire or cord to tie that yoke to the box so it won't fall out when your maneuvering the engine combo up and out. Last thing you want is gear oil pouring out the end while it's suspended on a crane

Jun 17, 2019 | 08:41 PM

croaker

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From: Centerville Louisiana

I would witness mark the driveshaft and yoke position just for the hell of it. If later you wind up with a vibration you will wish you had.

Jun 17, 2019 | 11:40 PM

7T1vette

Team Owner

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From: Crossville TN

Agree with Croaker. Mark the alignment of the yoke and trans output spline. Also put alignment marks on the diff yoke and that end of the driveshaft.

The driveshaft is much easier to remove from the diff AFTER you pull the engine/trans. Just put containment on the driveshaft so that it doesn't just drop when it comes loose from the trans.

Position the tail end of the driveshaft upward and to one side of the diff. When the engine/trans get installed, re-orient the trans output shaft and the D/S yoke and just get them started on engagement. Now you can hold the rear of the D/S and slide it into the trans almost all of the way. That will allow you to mate the D/S yoke with the diff. Getting the attachment bolts into that yoke is 'fun', if you can't rotate the rear wheels. You'll need long extension, swivel joint and proper socket on a 1/4" or 3/8" ratchet. You can do it. You just have to do it as the car will allow you to do it.