Moving front drive shaft spline out of the way
 

First of all, wishing everyone a Happy New Year, 2020.

So over the Christmas break, I made an attempt at replacing the front flex disc (guibo disc). I had no problems with getting the 6 bolts undone but ran into a snag with pushing the front drive shaft back enough to allow the removal of the flex disc.

Pelican Parts has a DIY showing the tech was able to push the drive shaft back by an inch or two to remove the flex disc. I tried doing the same thing but the drive shaft just doesn't want to slide back. I used a large pry bar but didn't have enough room under the car to give it a good pry. Also, I was fearful I may cause unintended damage by using too much force so I didn't pry it with everything I got.

I ended up putting the bolts back in and the X5 drove fine without vibrations or driveline issues. The flex disc still needs to be replaced as it's badly cracked.

I was hoping I could get some input/advices from members on here that have successfully replaced the front flex disc or at least knows how to move the front drive shaft back by a couple inches in order to slide the flex disc and its center support out of the transfer case.

Thanks.

Car year and engine?

The original drive shafts on pre-facelift cars were reportedly a little short and while this allows the shaft to be pushed back a bit, enabling the giubo to be removed easily, it often resulted in stripped drive shaft splines, due to the lack of spline engagement area. Later drive shafts (facelift cars?) appear to have a slightly longer spline section, for greater engagement. This may make it harder to remove the giubo. :dunno:

Older cars may also have a modified drive shaft installed to fix striped splines.

I think loosening mount on the TC or engine is usually done to get that half inch or something needed to pull the shaft out. I’ll look at my PDF see if it has a procedure. I know people make a 2-part front shaft to deal with this issue.

Next week I’m changing a TC on a 328xi I think it’s pretty similar but I’m sure you don’t want to wait a week.

If this is an early model your shaft might have been replaced with a longer one. In which case TC or diff has to move.

The front driveshaft splines were not greased from the factory and can be pretty fused into the transfer case. Mine was pretty tough to get out of the T/C after I pulled my transmission/tc. You can't move the front differential enough to remove the driveshaft without a lot of work. You either need to separate the transmission (very difficult) from the engine or the transfer case from the transmission. I haven't separated the t/c from the trans, but while still difficult, looks easier than pulling the trans (in either case, you'll still need to disconnect the front portion of the rear driveshaft, but you can do this by bending it at the u-joint near the center bearing).

Before resorting to all that, I'd try a combo of a little penetrating oil, mild heat, and vibration in different directions (like tapping with a rubber mallet) to dislodge it. Once it breaks free, it should slide easily, but you won't be able to do that by prying on it.

Sorry, I omitted some important information. The vehicle is a 2002 X5 v8.

Seems the collective has hinted at removing the TC/trans/diff in some combination in order to get the drive shaft out or moved back.

I think the suggestion by e39_touring is the least painful and I will try that first.
I've been driving the vehicle with the flex disc in that condition for some time now w/o issues...knock on wood. I however understand I need to get it replaced as soon as afforded. Will update this thread once I'm able to find some downtime to work on it again.

Thanks everyone for your input thus far.

I loosened the TC mount when I did both my guibos (which led to discovery of need of new TC mount) but of I also had the exhaust off the 4.8iS and damn near busted my head it's heavier than you think...[emoji856]

Sent from my SM-A730F using Tapatalk

FYI guibo is pronounced joo-boh. Not gwee-bow it’s named after the inventor.

I just did this a few days ago on my 2006 4.8is. I was mainly needing to change the center support bearing. Once I took the bolts up front loose and loosened the 2 nuts holding the center support allowing it to drop down it didnt take much effort to pry the front of the driveshaft free and remove the front flex disk. It was rather easy after letting the center of the driveshaft hang free. Hope this makes sense and helps you out.