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Diff and driveshaft stuck!!!!
GRRR - 5/3/11 at 09:16 AM

Hi all,

Trying to remove the diff on my GBS Zero to get the newly shortened prop shaft in, but can't get the O/S driveshaft out!

Weirdly some time ago the diff appeared to 'lock up' i.e. where it was a normal fully open 1.6 Sierra diff, one day we tried it and the axles are locked together. All the oil had been drained out but you'd think the oil residue should keep things moving and un-siezed while in a garage. So the driveshaft was pulled, hit with rubber hammers, etc no luck.

Any ideas how to extract it without resorting to cutting the driveshaft in half to get the diff out, then having to buy a new diff and DS?

We can get to the diff rear cover, maybe it'd help to remove that and see if we can see how to 'persuade' the drive shaft out of the diff.

Nick

Xtreme Kermit - 5/3/11 at 09:35 AM

I take it they are push in ones.

Slide hammer maybe?

Theshed - 5/3/11 at 09:36 AM

The "lock up" sounds like some damage to me. Can you get a long punch to the end of the drive shaft through the opposite drive shaft hole?

GRRR - 5/3/11 at 10:23 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Xtreme Kermit
I take it they are push in ones.

Slide hammer maybe?


Yeah they're push in. Thought about slide hammer but didn't want to damage the CVs if poss, and as they're 'springy' I'm not sure how much impact we'd get.

Theshed, good idea will try that.

adithorp - 5/3/11 at 10:30 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Theshed
The "lock up" sounds like some damage to me. Can you get a long punch to the end of the drive shaft through the opposite drive shaft hole?


There's probably something wrong inside if it's locked up but...
If the joint won't release with a drift/lever in the normal way and the other shaft is out, you should be able to get past the central spindle with a thin screwdriver or punch and give it a tap on the end of the joint . This often takes very little force as the blow is in the correct direction, unlike the external lever which tends to "cock" the joint over. I have a "special" tool for the job... well a screwdriver ground and bent just enough to get in.

Neville Jones - 5/3/11 at 11:19 AM

If you don't want to do any damage, take the back cover off.

You won't be able to put a bar or srewdriver in from the opposite side, due to the shaft supporting the planet gears.

With the back cover off, you may be able to push on the end of the stuck shaft with a pry bar. If it doesn't move, soak with WD40 or similar, then try again.

It may be that the oil residue has hardened into a glue like stuff, so needs softening for the shaft to come out.

Cheers,
Nev.

speedyxjs - 5/3/11 at 02:31 PM

Not sure if it applys but i know with Jag drive shafts, the splined section that goes into the hub is supposed to have superglue applied bofore fitting. Any chance yours has the same on the diff end?

rusty nuts - 5/3/11 at 04:37 PM

Bigger hammer, using a rubber hammer perhaps isn't the best idea.Lever and hit at the same time. Its sometimes possible to use a forked driveshaft removing tool, a bit like a wedge type ball joint splitter. No idea where to get them , I've had mine for years

GRRR - 5/3/11 at 06:13 PM

Thanks for the info all, I'm going to whip the rear cover off tomorrow and see what fun awaits. Beacause it's the push in type you just can't get any tool in between the push-in joint and the diff because the weird toothed diff bearing retainers get in the way. Hopefully something will present itself with the cover removed.

[Edited on 5/3/11 by GRRR]