7 replies to this topic

[GreenMini17]

Basically, whats the quickest way of removing driveshafts with the engine in car. Im using standard shafts with pot joints. Is there a way of removing them without undoing all the hub and suspension arms on the hub etc? Thanks.

[andrew1986mini]

Not that i know of the are sort of wedge in the between the engine and the hubs. Best way is to undo castle nut undo the hubs and take out shafts and pot joints. 

[Dan]

If you are lifting the engine you can pop them out as it rises. If not you will have to pop at least one suspension ball joint to get clearance to move the shaft enough to release. You don't have to release the hub nut, just break the bottom joint and have someone swing the hub back as you pull the shaft out of the pot joint. You need to use something to strike the edge of the pot joint inside the gaiter and it will pop off the shaft as long as you have pulled it outwards a bit.

[GreenMini17]

If you are lifting the engine you can pop them out as it rises. If not you will have to pop at least one suspension ball joint to get clearance to move the shaft enough to release. You don't have to release the hub nut, just break the bottom joint and have someone swing the hub back as you pull the shaft out of the pot joint. You need to use something to strike the edge of the pot joint inside the gaiter and it will pop off the shaft as long as you have pulled it outwards a bit.

I like this theory. Yes i will be lifting the engine out. I will still need to undo the hub nuts etc when putting the engine back in and shafts back on though wont i? So no real advantage in the long run?

[Dan]

No, not at all. Drain the oil, lift the engine and pop the pot joints as it comes up. If the car is not going to move then leave it as is until the engine goes back in. If you do need to move the car any distance pull the shafts out of the CVs and cover the backs of the joints to keep them clean. Then just put them back in the joints before you refit the engine and push the pot joints back in as the engine reaches it's final position. No need to touch the suspension or hubs at all.

[GreenMini17]

No, not at all. Drain the oil, lift the engine and pop the pot joints as it comes up. If the car is not going to move then leave it as is until the engine goes back in. If you do need to move the car any distance pull the shafts out of the CVs and cover the backs of the joints to keep them clean. Then just put them back in the joints before you refit the engine and push the pot joints back in as the engine reaches it's final position. No need to touch the suspension or hubs at all.

Ok, i think i get the idea of getting the shafts out when removing the engine but how do i get the pot joint back in when putting the engine back in. They require a firm 'tap' to pop back in dont they? How would i do this if the shaft is located in place?

[Gremlin]

I've just done it on mine, I've got pot joints, we released the top balljoint, swung the hubs down whilst levering the pot joints off the diff outputs, then lifted the engine out, and then to put back in, dropped the engine in, located the pot joints on the diff, applied pressure to the shaft just by pulling on it by leaning down over the wing whilst someone pulls the hub up and gives the hub/disk a firm hit with the heel of your hand, worked a treat, a lump of wood and hammer would work ok but you don't want to damage the disk

Edit: Typo

Edited by Gremlin, 29 January 2014 - 10:55 PM.

[Dan]

They will pop in fine as the engine comes down, the shafts are a sliding fit in the joints so you just need to grab the outer and slide it home. If it needs a tap then just knock it on the edge. If it didn't work I wouldn't be telling you about it.