TheMustangLoveR

I have bad luck with the easy parts of a task becoming difficult in themselves. I'm trying to remove the driveshaft on my '03 GT and I'm having trouble: I removed the four bolts that attach it to the pinion flange. My understanding is that after you remove the 4 bolts, the driveshaft should drop and you should be able to slide it out from the transmission. But, in my case, the four bolts are out and the shaft simply won't move. Am I missing something here?

JC316

You shouldn't be, once the bolts are out, slide it into the transmission a little bit and then drop it. Maybe it's rusted? Try some PB blaster and a screwdriver.

stangman1976

tap with a rubber mallet. but make sure u mark the drive shaft in relationship to the flange

pete1665

i had to get the jack underneath the driveshaft and use it break the shaft free from the flange, then i could slide it forward and take it out.

TheMustangLoveR

I'll try it here soon, I tried the jack and was sure it would work...i shat myself when it didn't come free. Thanks guys.

witch doctor

Since you are going to replace the U-joint anyway, I'd try a good solid hit on the flat end of the end cap.

TheMustangLoveR

Whew I got it. The PB Blaster probably helped overnight and then I placed a block of wood against the U-joint and gave it a few taps with a hammer and it dropped.

On to droppy the tranny lol. Probably a few questions coming from that step soon
Thanks!

WhiteFoxGT

You PB blasted it all night? Dude, I have done a TON of rears/trans swaps (Ford tech) and this is super common. Just tap the flange with a nice solid hammer a few times and be on your way. Im glad you got it but you just wasted a night of work lol

TheMustangLoveR

lol no the driveshaft was where I stopped for the night and I was saying that the Blaster probably helped the next day since I sprayed it before I went in for the night.