Author Topic: driveshaft clamping sleeve (Read 5492 times)

ecalder · « **on:** March 13, 2010, 07:47:08 PM »

Yikes! I'm changing out my tranny and I haven't gotten very far. I'm stuck at the driveshaft clamping sleeve... What do I use to loosen it? It's huge! Vice grips slipped and I'm worried I might hurt it if I continue. Is it ok to use liquid wrench there?

1991 E30 M42 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 14, 2010, 10:19:28 AM »

what the hell is a driveshaft clamping sleeve, post a link from realoem.com and point it out on

BlueBMW · « **Reply #2 on:** March 14, 2010, 10:28:35 AM »

You shouldn't have to separate the driveshaft to take the transmission out. Just unbolt the center support bearing and then unbolt the guibo bolts and leave the driveshaft in the car while you remove the transmission.

ecalder · « **Reply #3 on:** March 14, 2010, 11:29:57 AM »

Ok that would be great not to have to remove the driveshaft! I was going by the good ol' bentley manual which says to remove the driveshaft, and in the driveshaft removal instructions it says to loosen that sleeve...

So I'm removing the center support bracket simply so that I can move the driveshaft out of the way? Do I just hang the driveshaft with heavy wire while it's unbolted?

Thank you.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #4 on:** March 14, 2010, 11:46:34 AM »

I used a big channel lock and it took forever to loosen it 1/8 turn at a time. I also sprayed a little penetrant into the flange side to ease it up. It'd be nice not to have to do it by dropping the center support bearing. Mine slipped here & there while I was loosening it up. It's not like it's really a nut that requires perfect sides to avoid stripping.

You have some of those mechanic gloves, don't you? I didn't use them for years and now I have no idea why not. I've saved myself hundreds of cuts...now I only worry about crushing/bruising. Speaking of that, the drive shaft is surprisingly awkward & heavy. Take your time.

I'm not sure how you'll get the tranny back far enough to drop it, but I'm no expert...but there might be enough play to pull the tranny, especially if you can get the guibo out first.

ecalder · « **Reply #5 on:** March 14, 2010, 11:57:54 AM »

Ok I'll give it another shot with a little more umph. I'm working on jack stands so I need all the room I can get. But is it ok to use liquid wrench or other lube on there? I guess it might not even help...

Yeah I just started using gloved, they do make a huge difference!

ecalder · « **Reply #6 on:** March 14, 2010, 11:58:50 AM »

Oh wait, just reread your post... Penetrant ok... Got it!

dinu.negrean · « **Reply #7 on:** March 14, 2010, 12:33:58 PM »

Working on jackstands to remove the transmission is such a pain. Both driveshaft and transmission are heavy enough in normal [hidraulic suspended or channel under the car] conditions, but having the car 40-50 cm lifted and working layed on the back must be terrible. Good luck on that one!

BlueBMW · « **Reply #8 on:** March 14, 2010, 01:28:45 PM »

It seems like every time i pull a transmission i just unbolt the guibo and the center support bearing and that gives it enough wiggle to come off the transmission and move out of the way enough. Maybe on the ground there isn't enough room, but worst case just unbolt it at the diff and take the whole thing out. Trying to separate the two halves is pretty hard to do because of that clamp.

dinu.negrean · « **Reply #9 on:** March 18, 2010, 09:08:35 PM »

Just remove the whole thing, it will save a lot of time and effort.

ecalder · « **Reply #10 on:** March 22, 2010, 08:40:47 AM »

Yep I think removing the whole thing is definitely the way to do it in jack stands... Don't think it would have happened otherwise with such little wiggle room. Now I'm just wondering why bentley even tells you to loosen that sleeve if the whole thing is coming out. I wasted a lot of time and knuckle flesh loosening it unnecessarily. But in case anyone needs to do it... Persistance, some vice grips, liquid wrench, and gloves!

RED IS 91 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 22, 2010, 10:27:04 AM »

Just replaced my gas tank over the weekend up on jack stands.I wouldn't wish that on anyone.It really sucked.On installation of the tank it took me two hours on one bolt cause it wouldn't line up correctly .Eventually got a dremel tool in there to get enough material off to start the bolt.Laying on your back doing that work is hard. Taking off the drive shaft was the easiest part of that job.
My drive shaft was light so I don't know what everyone is talking about .
I replaced my guibo and center bearing while I was down there.
I may do a write up of the tank replacement once I recover from the work.:rolleyes:

ecalder · « **Reply #12 on:** March 22, 2010, 05:11:32 PM »

Well the weight of the driveshaft is not unbearable, my worry was that bentley stressed not letting the weight of it rest on the universal joints. Otherwise it would not have been too tough to just remove one side then move on to the other side leaving one side hanging... If it's not that big a deal I'll probably have an easier time getting it back in!

RED IS 91 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 23, 2010, 03:31:48 AM »

Don't forget to pre load the center bearing after you install.