Can't get the driveshaft out!

1. HD7 Regular Poster Joined: Feb 2013 Plymouth Posts: 388 '99 Golf GT TDi

   #1 17th April 2013, 21:15

   Today was trying to replace my driveshaft out (drivers side) and got everything done, but got stuck at the last hurdle. Could not for the life of me get the shaft out. Did everything the haynes said, including moving the little offset screw things holding the intermittent bearing in place.
   
   It seemed like the outer shaft moved in the bearing bit, but I couldn't get the inner half of the shaft to move, if that makes sense.
   
   I twisted it, pulled it, made everything level. The only thing I didn't do is hit it, as the haynes manual said it should come out easy, and I've never done a driveshaft before and if I cocked it up then I'm stuck as I need the car everyday. Car is all back together now but what am I doing wrong?
2. Bim Infrequent Poster Joined: Jun 2012 Sweden, Ytterby Posts: 199 Citroen Saxo VTS -98 Volvo S70 T5 -99

   #2 17th April 2013, 21:28

   I've never had an driveshaft come out easy, at work we use to bend 'carefully' at the part i marked in the picture (i borrowed the picture from someone on Saxp) dont want to hurt the gearbox sealing, or the gearbox as u bend against it.
   
   And u 'unlocked' those bolts that locks the shaft?
   
   
3. user_43898 Established Member Joined: May 2010 leicester Posts: 1446 Clio 182 Inferno

   #3 17th April 2013, 21:33

   If its a vtr 2001 as in your details, make sure you have undone the two 11mm nuts that clamp the intermediate bearing into the carrier, the locking pins look like little golf clubs, the clubbed ends just clamp the bearing into the carrier, without these undone and fully rotated out of the way the driveshaft will never come out
4. HD7 Regular Poster Joined: Feb 2013 Plymouth Posts: 388 '99 Golf GT TDi

   #4 17th April 2013, 21:34

   Yep, they are unlocked. And if the shaft was like the one you pictured, I don't think I'd have a problem. Its got 2 sections...
5. user_43898 Established Member Joined: May 2010 leicester Posts: 1446 Clio 182 Inferno

   #5 17th April 2013, 21:47

   Yeah that driveshaft in the pic its for n/s. Try tapping the bearing out of the carrier, if the bearing outer race is seized into the carrier you will struggle to just pry it out regardless of whether the locking clamps are undone, it would need hitting out
6. HD7 Regular Poster Joined: Feb 2013 Plymouth Posts: 388 '99 Golf GT TDi

   #6 17th April 2013, 22:07

   So I have done everything right then? There isn't anything missing? What I'm saying is if I give it a whack and fuck up something on the shaft but still can't get it out then I'm stuck!
7. user_29491 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2008 Lancs Posts: 4124 JP4S'd R.

   #7 17th April 2013, 22:13

   Tug it. Hard.
8. shaund123 Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2012 newcastle Posts: 206

   #8 17th April 2013, 22:26

   I've just done this job today! I just tapped the bearing holder and got someone to pull on it came out easy, keep trying mate! As long as you've unlocked the 2 11mm bolts then there's nothing else holding it in place, be persistent!
9. HD7 Regular Poster Joined: Feb 2013 Plymouth Posts: 388 '99 Golf GT TDi

   #9 17th April 2013, 22:41

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by shaund123 I've just done this job today! I just tapped the bearing holder and got someone to pull on it came out easy, keep trying mate! As long as you've unlocked the 2 11mm bolts then there's nothing else holding it in place, be persistent!

   Wierd how they are 11mm aint it! But yeah I'll give it a whack tomorrow!
   
   Cheers for the help gents!
10. mechsman Frequent Poster Joined: Sep 2010 Bristol Posts: 906 Saxo 1.4i SX 3dr, 106 (engine swap under way), p

    #10 18th April 2013, 06:55

    You can put a flat bladed screwdriver onto the back of the intermediate bearing from the closed side of the holder, just to give it a little tap to get it moving. Make sure you've removed any road crap that has built up in the holder as that wont help.
11. user_29491 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2008 Lancs Posts: 4124 JP4S'd R.

    #11 18th April 2013, 08:09

    I never knew people left the driveshaft carriers on :O. Good idea lol.
    
    Probably why mine comes out so easy - I always unbolt the carrier off the back of the engine and hold that while i wriggle/pull the shaft out.
12. K567 Frequent Poster Joined: Apr 2012 Bradford/Leeds Posts: 775 03 R53 Mini Cooper S with a little extra going on

    #12 18th April 2013, 09:10

    I see someone mentioned the 2 11mm nuts but have you also removed the hockey stick bolts that hold the intermediate in place they tend to get stuck if you don't remove them
13. HD7 Regular Poster Joined: Feb 2013 Plymouth Posts: 388 '99 Golf GT TDi

    #13 18th April 2013, 10:34

    They can't be removed if the shaft is still in there, there isn't enough room. Think thats the reason why the haynes says undo them and turn them
14. HD7 Regular Poster Joined: Feb 2013 Plymouth Posts: 388 '99 Golf GT TDi

    #14 18th April 2013, 21:00

    Just thought I'd update this for anyone who comes across the same problem.
    
    Basically where it says rotate the little bolts holding in the bearing 90 degrees, it means 90 degrees. I did 180 just to make sure it was well clear but it has to be 90. Popped straight out pretty much. Did the other one in like 20 mins from taking the wheel off to having it back on!