OS driveshaft intermediate bearing seized in mount

[MH123456]

I was starting on the job of replacing driveshafts today and spent around 3 hours hammering at the driveshaft bearing collar to hopefully free it from the rear engine mount. I've removed the two bearing retaining bolts and didn't attempt this without removing the hub. That seems like a silly thing to write but I've seen some forum messages where the individuals havent for some reason. I've left it to soak with liberal amounts of WD40 as I have no PlusGas left. I'll leave it overnight and try again tomorrow.

My question is, if it still doesn't budge, is it safe to remove the engine mount with the driveshaft? Is there enough wiggle room to do it without damaging the splines, because the mount pins mean it needs to be pulled away from the engine to remove it and won't just come away.

[RichardW]

There's no flex between the mount and the gearbox so you can't remove the mount with the shaft in. Just got to keep hammering... Can you borrow an air hammer or SDS drill? Although if you are replacing the shaft it might be easier just to cut it, remove the mount and deal with the stuck bearing on the bench.

[MH123456]

I've only got the car up on an axle stand, so with my size and the clearance underneath, I'm not sure if I can grind through it safely. I hadn't considered it though so good shout, thanks. I need the car for Monday so ordered some more gear oil and plusgas for next weekend, I might give up with that side, do the other tomorrow, refill and sort out the leaking thermostat housing instead.

How long do you think it would take to grind through the shaft?

[RichardW]

A few seconds with a cutting disc in an angle grinder - if you can get it in. Recip saw might be more accessible. Hacksaw is going to be a long slow job....!

[MH123456]

I once spent two hours cutting out the outer race of the engine mount bush from the same bracket in a Xsara Picasso to replace with a poly bush using just the blade from a hacksaw. I see progress, I see success. A few seconds I can do, but think it's more likely 10 minutes then given the space I have. Will probably have to cover myself with something to stop the human candle affect. I think I'll just pop it all back together if it doesn't go with a few more heavy slams and concentrate on the other side plus the thermostat seal tomorrow. It's still going to be there in a week it's not going to fall apart before then. Thanks Richard, you've given me hope again.

[MH123456]

I wanted to replace the driveshafts so that I could do the mount at the same time and have good CV joints and boots. It's still safe and driveable but I now have a 1.5KW SDS drill with rotary lock so, now I've fixed the faults on my wife's car, weather permitting I'll give this a crack next weekend. My jack is only a cheap, halfords trolly jack with limited lift, I could use ramps and attempt to lift it higher with some sleepers under the jack. I'd like to get more working space underneath and get the axle stands on the highest option. The problem I have with a small jack is it's difficult to find suitable points to use the jack on a single point on the subframe. Any thoughts?

[MH123456]

There's no flex between the mount and the gearbox so you can't remove the mount with the shaft in. Just got to keep hammering... Can you borrow an air hammer or SDS drill? Although if you are replacing the shaft it might be easier just to cut it, remove the mount and deal with the stuck bearing on the bench.

Richard, I took your advice with the SDS drill, FIL has one without rotary lock so invested in a new one. Worked a treat alongside plus gas, a fork shaped ball joint separator and a lump mallet. Got there in the end. Replaced the shaft seal while I was at it, got one for the other side. New fast idle switch so will need a little adjustment with the pump and the coolant leak from the thermostat fixed with a tiny amount of liquid gasket round the edge of the thermostat and on the back of the rubber seal.

I made plenty of room to work by putting the opposite side on a ramp and jacking up the side I was working with onto a stand. Weather's been unpredictable, though I've had the week off work to work on it and despite a load of crap with my GP, medication, kidneys failing and official complaints to the local healthcare provider, I've found time to get it cleaned up a little underneath. One of us is not going to die soon!

Finishing the other side tomorrow, a new upper engine mount to fit and attach a universal battery tray to avoid another advisory - the battle bus will be back on the warpath with me when I'm back at work next week.

Thanks for the tips people!