Stupid Question Time - Propshaft removal

[Christophski]

Hi guys

Sorry for the stupid question but when I undo the prop shaft knuckle under the car before it goes into the cone on the front side of the diff, should I mark it up to line it back up when refitting? (for balance reasons) My brother mentioned it might be balnced for orientation so I thought I would check here quickly before undoing it all....

Thanks
Chris

[newsh]

The prop is balanced independant of the diff but I'd mark it put it back the way it came off, just to be sure

[Christophski]

Ok cool thanks John. Tipexx to the ready

[GazzaG60]

to start with id crack as many bolts as you can with it in position. the rears can be a pita.
then remove front end from box , easiest end. jack rear up and try to use hrake to secure to crack the rest of rear.
crack the bolts on the diff for the shafts or just leave um in there and remove from hubs

to remove the rear sub get 2 jacks under the subframe directly under each arm/wishbone middle after you split the balljoints jack till they touch up. remove subframe bushes unbolted and lower halfway, remove wiring. if on a ramp a bit different

done this a fair few times lately. front and geatbox i use more jacks

[GazzaG60]

presuming is a coupe or b3

[Christophski]

...avant but thank. i dont think it will be too different. Most bolts have already been cracked off and im undoing the prop at the knuckle so i can take the diff off and do it all in 1 hit if I can. A mate said he would lend a hand but as of yet.... has been a no show.... just like my brother. Oh, they are both mechanics and im a web guy... so as you can tell I knwo exactly what im doing... not lol.

[bluequattro]

Clean all Allen heads first. Really PITA if they round off. I usually tap a socket over them instead.
Use a punch to mark the prop position. Better than tipex that may rub off with handling.
Probably wont affect balance, but won't hurt either.
Some cars are bothered by this, my dads old jag was one
Wobbly props aren't nice

[Christophski]

Well the prop is undone with no heads rounding which makes me very happy. Not much more to get the subframe off and then the fun really begins

I will punch some marks into the bits tomorrow too. I like your thinking there

[recurveandy]

Might be worth getting some new bolts in
I sheared two doing mine a while back while torquing them

[Christophski]

Good idea. Cheers Andy. Gives me the torque settings for when I do it back up....