Removing Prop Shaft

[ericbushby]

I am sure this has been covered before, but I cannot find what I am looking for in the search system.
I am confident that I have found the cause of violent vibration and metallic noise on my S3.
The rear universal joint has got play and backlash.
I have disconnected it from the differential and pulled it out of the gearbox tail.
Which is the best way to remove it.
The book says take it out forwards by lifting and lowering the gearbox, but there does not seem much room that way without removing the exhaust as well and I seem to remember a recommendation on this forum to remove it backwards, by removing a suspension arm to clear it, or something like that.
Any thoughts or suggestions will be welcomed.
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

[ericbushby]

OK, All stand down, it came out forwards with no difficulty. Just had to raise the rear of the gearbox a little.
If you were going to comment then thankyou. I`ve done it.
Eric in Burnley

[gjz30075]

Does it require disconnecting the gearbox from the crossmember in order to raise it?

[elanfan1]

From my recollection of this same job years ago then yes.

Mine was a devil of a job. I did the same as Eric. Car raised by around 2 feet and after struggling, jiggling etc I still couldn't get it to come out past th gearbox tail. Hope it's not just me but I was at the point of getting 'evil' and if I hadn't walked away I'd have put something heavy through something I shouldn't have. I went back to the job the next day but before starting I opened the car door to reach for something inside. I slammed the door and then there was a tremendous metal clang from underneath as the propshaft fell out!! Frightened the absolute crap out of me.

[ericbushby]

I have since found the reference I was looking for. It was Brian Buckland who says in his book that it is better to remove the shaft backwards.
I had no trouble at all doing it as the workshop manual says.
Support the gearbox on a screw jack
Remove the support plate (and resilient mount, but this may not be necessary)
Separate exhaust hanger bracket from gearbox plate
Raise the gearbox until you can pull the shaft out.
Eight bolts in all and a lot easier than it was to separate the shaft from the diff.
I may have an advantage in that there are no rusty or seized bolts under there.
So many things have been out so many times that nothing has had chance to corrode.
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

[CLAY]

I like elanfan 1's method better.

Bert