Driveshaft Stuck in 86 Cutlass

[tcolvinOH]

Im in the process of tearing down my 86 Cutlass. I was working on getting the drive shaft out, so that I could pull the engine and transmission at some point. Based on where Im currently at, the drive shaft seemed to be the next logical step. I removed the 4 bolts that hold the drive shaft to the diff. However, there is literally NO play in the drive shaft and I cant seem to get it to come loose. Am I missing something? Ive tried prying on it and smacking it with a BFH, as well as jacking up the differential so that the angle of the drive shaft would change, thinking that might have some impact. I havent sprayed any penetrating oil anywhere yet.

At this point, Im not married to the drive shaft. Its rusted all to hell anyway, so its not like I intend to put it back in the car.

Any thoughts on how to get this thing out, without cutting it or removing the rear end?

 

[565bbchevy]

If you look at the trans yoke you should be able to tell how much farther it can slide into the trans, as long as there is an inch or so I would keep prying on the rear u joint to get it out, it is probably a good time to replace both u joints anyways so don't worry about damaging it upon removal.

 

[TURNA]

Now that it is unbolted and you plan on replacing it anyway why not just rev the engine to about 6 grand and do a neutral drop?

If that don't break it free nothing will!!!!!

 

[tcolvinOH]

There doesnt appear to be any play in the drive shaft at all. it turns very slightly, but there is no forward/backward movement. I didnt check the yoke to see what was there, but prying on it did nothing except tire me out. The drive shaft didnt move when I pryed on it.

Car doesnt start under its own power currently, as I have most of everything torn out of the engine bay to prep for the engine removal.

 

[TURNA]

if you have a torch even a hand held propane one heat up the rear joint the caps should pop off then you can pry it out,

Or you can just pull the engine / trans out and let it drop out of the trans then beat it out of the rear.

 

[tcolvinOH]

if you have a torch even a hand held propane one heat up the rear joint the caps should pop off then you can pry it out,

Or you can just pull the engine / trans out and let it drop out of the trans then beat it out of the rear.

The caps being what holds the joint of the drive shaft into the diff by 4 bolts? Those are off. The drive shaft just isnt moving when I pry on it. I assume that on a normal functional drive shaft, I should be able to move it backward and forward, at least with a prybar?

 

[tcolvinOH]

if you have a torch even a hand held propane one heat up the rear joint the caps should pop off then you can pry it out,

Or you can just pull the engine / trans out and let it drop out of the trans then beat it out of the rear.

Let's assume for a moment that I attempt to pull the engine/trans out and the drive shaft is stuck in the transmission...what are my options on that side of the drive shaft...

 

[TURNA]

Once the rear U joint is unbolted you should be able to slide the driveshaft forward into the transmission about an inch or so to remove it..

I have only seen a problem like yours once before

That was when someone installed a GN rear (8.5) into a G-body without cutting the driveshaft.

It was wedged in there and once it came out the trans was ruined.

As for the front yoke you can heat the caps until they pop out. But you may or may not have wiggle room room to pop it out.

Worst case take a saws all and cut it in half.

 

[TURNA]

If the caps are off there rear U joint nothing should be holding it in place. Can you move or wiggle the rear U joint?

 

[tcolvinOH]

There is nothing holding the u joint in place but it wont budge. As I mentioned, there's a slight twist laterally, but that's about it. Otherwise, nothing.

The transmission is already shot. I blew out the higher gears back in 2014. I was hoping not to cut it, but if that was my only option, I'm not adverse to doing so.

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