Propshaft removal

[Rebel]

Hi all,
Need to take the prop off my '68 Charger to replace the UJ's. The manual states to just unbolt the prop from the diff and slide it out the gearbox.
Is it that simple?
Is it likely to need some encouragement to slide out the gearbox?
Will the transmission fluid all leak out when the props removed?

Is changing the UJ's a difficult or awkward job to do, can it be done at home or does it have to be farmed out?

Only asking because I've done them before

[MilesnMiles]

Mate it is that simple. Jack the car up from the rear and also have a rag for the tail shaft to stop it leaking. Rear UJ has to cups that hold the prop onto rear diff. They are small, you'll be surprised at how small so don't lose em

Make sure you have the correct replacement UJs as there are two sizes for the prop and there appears to be no logic a to which ma Mopar fitted. You can only fit the right size.

There's a corrrect way to fit the new UJs -plenty of YOUTube vids.

Have fun

[Blue]

I normally cable tie a latex glove around the tailshaft once the prop is out. The UJs have internal circlips which tend to be invisible due to crud, they need to come out before before you try to knock out the UJ's, save them you might need them. When the new UJ's are in if they come with a selection of circlips use the thickest one that will fit, and this might be your old ones. When you refit the prop, make sure the circlips fit tightly closed end into the yoke at the rear.

[Pete]

Depending on UJ size, the Circlips could either be in the inside or the outside, same principle applies though!

[db]

When you slide the prop back into the trans, make sure it's spotless and lubed with trans fluid. Slide it in gently to avoid damaging the seal.
Yes, I speak from A recent unhappy experience!

[Rebel]

Thanks guy's,
I'll get on to it then

[Dave999]

all the oil (well 80% of it) will come out of the trans. drain first or be quick to slide in a spare yoke

Dave

[db]

...unless you get the rear end a foot in the air

[Dave999]

indeed

if you have the tackle

tailshaft end higher than fill plug Jobs a goodun


dave

[Rebel]

Well it ain't gonna be a foot high at the rear, be lucky if it's 6 inches and I don't have a spare yoke. So, fast placing of a tray to catch what comes out combined with the rubber glove and cable tie as Blue suggested. Maybe a paper cup inside the glove for added help

[lemans-tom]

One alternative to the rubber glove (which is great idea BTW) is masking tape, if you're doing this in less than ideal conditions i.e. grubbing around on a the floor under axle stands.

When you pull that prop off you only really have one hand to do anything with it. (The other often ends up holding it off the floor). Also depends on how quick you want to stop the possibility of the end caps falling off. Been there, done that, all those needle bearings over the floor - carnage.

I find a 2 inch roll of masking tape does a quick, one hand temp job of holding them on. Just wrap it round a couple of times round the UJ ends covering the end caps. Works until you can get it to somewhere more convenient like your work bench.

[Rebel]

Can't take credit for the rubber glove idea, it was Suggested by Blue earlier in the thread. Had planned on wrapping the UJ's with tape though, saw it done that way by Edd China on TV

Going to put an axle stand under the diff end covered in an old towel / blanket and leave it resting on there while I slide it out the gearbox

[lemans-tom]

Edd's the man! The tall fella had plenty of useful tips. His slots were the best part of the programme IMO - the less he started to appear the worse the show got. I'll be interested to see how W/D changes without him.

[Rebel]

Don't think it's going to change for the better, sounds like it's going to continue to be a case of swapping old parts for new instead of repairing them because it's quicker and not showing how to remove or replace parts because that's boring, apparently.
So, remove all the best bits and expect it to successful