Can't get driveshaft off - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

5150 · 10-13-2012, 04:03 PM

Hey guys,

Working on my truck and for some reason I can't get the drive shaft off. It is a two piece shaft and I've unbolted it from the rear end, but it won't completely slide off from the front drive shaft. There seems to be a sleeve on the end of it, but all it does it rotate around and around. Nothing changes, I'd appreciate the help, because it's really irritating me.

5150 · 10-13-2012, 05:45 PM

This is my 99 3/4 ton 2 wheel drive crew cab.
Posted via Mobile Device

dragginmetal · 10-13-2012, 07:52 PM

I believe a 2 piece DS has to come out together. Remove the 2 bolts to the center support bearing bracket and the whole DS should come out of the transmission.

dragginmetal · 10-13-2012, 07:57 PM

Also make sure you mark every thing. The DS has to go back in the same position since it's balanced.

clinebarger · 10-13-2012, 08:16 PM

The sheet-metal cap needs to come off, It contains a felt seal. You will damage the seal & the DS will be tough to remove.

The slip yoke is "keyed" It only goes on "EASY" one way.

5150 · 10-14-2012, 12:51 PM

Here's a pic of what I got. It's raining, so I'm waiting to work on it.

Posted via Mobile Device

dragginmetal · 10-14-2012, 01:48 PM

That's the center support bearing bracket. A buddy and i put u-joints in his '94 ex-cab (2 piece DS) some time back. I was thinking we just took them 2 bolts out and pulled the whole DS out (both DS pieces and center support bearing all together). On that note i don't have anywhere near the knowlege about this as Clinebarger. I would wait for him to explain more. Evidently i need to learn the proper way myself. Now i'm not 100% sure we did it right.

5150 · 10-14-2012, 01:54 PM

That's the rear DS on the right. I thought it would slide right off, but I was wrong.
Posted via Mobile Device

clinebarger · 10-14-2012, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5150

That's the rear DS on the right. I thought it would slide right off, but I was wrong.
Posted via Mobile Device

Why are you removing the DS?

As dragginmetal said it may be easier to remove the whole thing together.
When your pulling on it....Does it stop solid or feel spongy??

According to my sevice manuals, GM used 2 different DS manufacturers...Dana & AAM.

The AAM DS has a screw on cap that I was reffering to, That has to be removed first.

I believe the Dana DS has a lip seal that is "suppose to" slide over the splines. If the seal is hard it will make it tough.

Is there any stickers still on the DS? It should say if its a Dana or AAM.

A pic of how the splines are Keyed....

5150 · 10-15-2012, 10:11 AM

Hey guys,

I ended up just doing it under the truck. I was trying to avoid that because my truck is a 2wd, SWB, crew cab, that is lowered 4/6. For this, I really wanted some space to work obviously, but I fought and got the new one back in.

sntrym95 · 10-15-2012, 09:20 PM

FWIW, I've removed my driveshaft many times to replace u-joints, carrier bearing, etc. After 247k you have to replace a few things now and again.

I've always unbolted the shaft from the rearend side, laid directly underneath, and pulled hard. Eventually it comes off. Sometimes it takes a few pulls. Goes back on the same way, but you need to line up the splined end correctly. Definitely a PITA but once you get used to it it's not so bad.

10-13-2012, 04:03 PM	#1
5150 C10 Club Tennessee Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: White House, TN 37188 Posts: 8,281	Can't get driveshaft off Hey guys, Working on my truck and for some reason I can't get the drive shaft off. It is a two piece shaft and I've unbolted it from the rear end, but it won't completely slide off from the front drive shaft. There seems to be a sleeve on the end of it, but all it does it rotate around and around. Nothing changes, I'd appreciate the help, because it's really irritating me. __________________ Bryan www.gmtruckshow.com Project "Andes"-Halen's First Truck Project: Patina Burb for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:4

10-13-2012, 05:45 PM	#2
5150 C10 Club Tennessee Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: White House, TN 37188 Posts: 8,281	Re: Can't get driveshaft off This is my 99 3/4 ton 2 wheel drive crew cab. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Bryan www.gmtruckshow.com Project "Andes"-Halen's First Truck Project: Patina Burb for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:4

10-13-2012, 07:52 PM	#3
dragginmetal here, just not logged in Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tx Posts: 1,011	Re: Can't get driveshaft off I believe a 2 piece DS has to come out together. Remove the 2 bolts to the center support bearing bracket and the whole DS should come out of the transmission. __________________ Mike 88 GMC "GOT BORED" several truck pics a few '88-'98 pics more pics

10-13-2012, 07:57 PM	#4
dragginmetal here, just not logged in Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tx Posts: 1,011	Re: Can't get driveshaft off Also make sure you mark every thing. The DS has to go back in the same position since it's balanced. __________________ Mike 88 GMC "GOT BORED" several truck pics a few '88-'98 pics more pics

10-13-2012, 08:16 PM	#5
clinebarger Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 6,370	Re: Can't get driveshaft off The sheet-metal cap needs to come off, It contains a felt seal. You will damage the seal & the DS will be tough to remove. The slip yoke is "keyed" It only goes on "EASY" one way.

10-14-2012, 12:51 PM	#6
5150 C10 Club Tennessee Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: White House, TN 37188 Posts: 8,281	Re: Can't get driveshaft off Here's a pic of what I got. It's raining, so I'm waiting to work on it. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Bryan www.gmtruckshow.com Project "Andes"-Halen's First Truck Project: Patina Burb for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:4

10-14-2012, 01:48 PM	#7
dragginmetal here, just not logged in Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tx Posts: 1,011	Re: Can't get driveshaft off That's the center support bearing bracket. A buddy and i put u-joints in his '94 ex-cab (2 piece DS) some time back. I was thinking we just took them 2 bolts out and pulled the whole DS out (both DS pieces and center support bearing all together). On that note i don't have anywhere near the knowlege about this as Clinebarger. I would wait for him to explain more. Evidently i need to learn the proper way myself. Now i'm not 100% sure we did it right. __________________ Mike 88 GMC "GOT BORED" several truck pics a few '88-'98 pics more pics

10-14-2012, 01:54 PM	#8
5150 C10 Club Tennessee Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: White House, TN 37188 Posts: 8,281	Re: Can't get driveshaft off That's the rear DS on the right. I thought it would slide right off, but I was wrong. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Bryan www.gmtruckshow.com Project "Andes"-Halen's First Truck Project: Patina Burb for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:4

10-15-2012, 10:11 AM	#10
5150 C10 Club Tennessee Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: White House, TN 37188 Posts: 8,281	Re: Can't get driveshaft off Hey guys, I ended up just doing it under the truck. I was trying to avoid that because my truck is a 2wd, SWB, crew cab, that is lowered 4/6. For this, I really wanted some space to work obviously, but I fought and got the new one back in. __________________ Bryan www.gmtruckshow.com Project "Andes"-Halen's First Truck Project: Patina Burb for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:4

10-15-2012, 09:20 PM	#11
sntrym95 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Big Pine Key, FL Posts: 758	Re: Can't get driveshaft off FWIW, I've removed my driveshaft many times to replace u-joints, carrier bearing, etc. After 247k you have to replace a few things now and again. I've always unbolted the shaft from the rearend side, laid directly underneath, and pulled hard. Eventually it comes off. Sometimes it takes a few pulls. Goes back on the same way, but you need to line up the splined end correctly. Definitely a PITA but once you get used to it it's not so bad. __________________ Mike



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.