Chunkerz

I am in the process of replacing my rear main seal again (didn't install it correctly when I replaced the clutch ) and I am having a strange problem. I have the actual torque tube slid all the way back, but the nose of the drive shaft that goes through the tube seems to be stuck inside the pilot bearing and is just being pulled out of the tube when I slide it back. I have the motor supported from the top, so it shouldn't be crooked or anything that would make it impossible to remove. I have tried pulling the shaft out from the back and pushing it from the front, but it won't budge. I don't want to spray penetrating oil in there because my clutch is brand new so I don't want to risk getting oil on it. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Never a dull moment with this car

V2Rocket

try pulling on the driveshaft with someone stepping on the clutch pedal

Van

Put the transmission coupling on the drive shaft and use a large prybar through one of the holes in the tranny end of the drive shaft housing.

odonnell

+1 to what van suggested. Pry bar took care of my stubborn drive shaft issue in seconds.

Chunkerz

I tried Van's method, but after 45 minutes of hammering and swearing it still won't come loose. I tried raising/lowering back of the motor in case it was crooked, but that doesn't work either. I'll have my dad step on the clutch while I hammer and see what that does.

What are my options if it won't come loose? Cut the driveshaft and buy a new one?

odonnell

What about a slide hammer from the trans side of the shaft?

Van

Something is seriously wrong... Why do you think it's the pilot bearing? Could it be the splines of the clutch disk? You've undone the shift lever?

StoogeMoe

Make sure that the motor is perfectly level with the torque tube shaft. If it's even a bit off, it will be bind and be difficult to remove.

Chunkerz

I'll play with the angle of the motor some more. I have a feeling this is my issue.
It's either stuck in the pilot bearing, the clutch splines, or maybe both. Everything has been removed from the torque tube, including the shift lever and the exhaust hangers.
I don't have a slide hammer, but I'll pick one up and give it a shot if everything else fails.

Edit- It's out! Changing the angle of the motor, pumping the clutch, and using a longer bar to pry on the coupler did the trick. I think this time around I'll wait and see if my new seal leaks before putting everything back together.

Van

Good news

Tiger03447

Thanks for the tip.When I go to put mine back in I think I'll make sure that it goes in easily..Neversieze on the tip?

Van

Yes. And on the splines. Not too much, you don't want it to sling around.

Chunkerz

I used high temperature clutch spline grease on mine. Should I use anti-seize instead when I reinstall it to avoid this issue in the future?

Van

Any kind of grease/lubrication will work. The biggest thing it does is displace moisture (which will cause corrosion).

Kevin Baker

What van said