Drive shaft removal

[Black 034]

Can the drive shaft be removed without removing front half of exhaust system?

 

[gsxr]

Can the drive shaft be removed without removing front half of exhaust system?

I think it may be possible, but it won't be easy. Access to the center carrier is super tight with the catalyst pipe in place.

 

[Black 034]

I took a look and with heat shield loose and support bracket near transmission off I think the cat will drop down enough. It helps that flex disk have just been replaced and should come loose easily. This exhaust has never been off in 31 years so really don't want to wrestle with the right side manifold junction!

 

[gsxr]

I took a look and with heat shield loose and support bracket near transmission off I think the cat will drop down enough. It helps that flex disk have just been replaced and should come loose easily. This exhaust has never been off in 31 years so really don't want to wrestle with the right side manifold junction!

The manifold connection isn't the problem, the slip-fit connection at the exit of the catalyst is what seizes. If you can remove the resonator pipe from the catalyst without damaging anything, the rest is a breeze - assuming you have the car on a lift, or high enough off the ground to lower the cat pipe down to slip it out of the pocket by the idler arm. If the resonator hasn't been removed in 31 years, yeah... that isn't going to give up without a fight.

 

[Black 034]

I have been soaking the connection with rust buster and using heat gun on it a couple of times the last week or so, but maybe I should tackle the right side engine connection and just drop entire system.