Removing and Installing Rear Drive Shaft

Removing and installing rear drive shaft
Tools

Preliminary work
1. Release axle nut (vehicle on ground) whilst operating the brake (2 fitters required).
2. Remove wheel.
3. Remove rear muffler.

Removing rear drive shaft

Note:
^ To prevent damage to the drive shaft, rear axle support side member or transmission flange, a protective tube must be pushed over the drive shaft or the drive shaft must be secured.
^ During removal of the drive shaft, the wheel bearing housing remains in the vehicle and is swiveled outwards at the top side.

1. Fit protective tube for drive shaft. Release drive shafts on inside at transmission (both sides) and -arrow- tie up, e.g. with a tie-wrap. This will prevent damage to the drive shaft, suspension subframe or transmission flange.
2. Removal of rear final drive.
3. Release connecting link at top on the side from which drive shaft is to be removed.

4. Using universal drive shaft/wheel hub puller as of model '86 NR.87-1, press out peg from the drive shaft.
5. Remove previously fitted tie-wrap. Carefully pull out the drive shaft to be replaced.

Removing rear drive shaft

Note:
^ To prevent damage to the drive shaft, rear axle support side member or transmission flange, a protective tube must be pushed over the drive shaft or the drive shaft must be secured.
^ During removal of the drive shaft, the wheel bearing housing remains in the vehicle and is swiveled outwards at the top side.

1. Fit protective tube for drive shaft. Release drive shafts on inside at transmission (both sides) and -arrow- tie up, e.g. with a tie-wrap. This will prevent damage to the drive shaft, suspension subframe and transmission flange.
2. Removal of rear final drive.
3. Release connecting link at top on the side from which drive shaft is to be removed.

4. Using universal drive shaft/wheel hub puller as of model '86 NR.87-1, press out peg from the drive shaft.
5. Remove previously fitted tie-wrap. Carefully pull out the drive shaft to be replaced.

Installing rear drive shaft

Note:
^ Screws are Dacromet-coated and must not be greased.
^ Grease the thread of the axle nut with Optimoly HT.
^ Grease the toothing of the drive shaft lightly with Optimoly HT.
^ To prevent damage to the drive shaft, wheel bearing housing or transmission flange, slide a protective tube over the drive shaft.
^ Use new screws and lock nuts.
^ Observe correct tightening torques. After tightening, loosen the connecting rod for the stabilizer 90 degrees, and tighten again (settling behavior of the ball joint!).
^ The parking brake is self-adjusting. If the basic setting of the parking brake is correct, further adjustment operations on the parking brake lever or on the turnbuckle are not necessary.
^ Always check the bellows for damage and if necessary, replace them, if continuing to use the drive shaft.

1. Insert drive shaft and grease mounting-face ring of axle nut with a little Optimoly TA aluminum paste. Screw on axle nut to prevent shaft from slipping out. If the shaft cannot be pushed right in, use assembly fixture T10206 to pull the drive shaft in. Protect the drive shaft. Tie up drive shaft with a tie-wrap. This will prevent damage to the drive shaft, suspension subframe and transmission flange.

Installing rear drive shaft

Note:
^ Screws are Dacromet-coated and must not be greased.
^ Grease the thread of the axle nut with Optimoly HT.
^ Grease the toothing of the drive shaft lightly with Optimoly HT.
^ To prevent damage to the drive shaft, wheel bearing housing or transmission flange, slide a protective tube (shop-made) 00000 over the drive shaft.
^ Use new screws and lock nuts.
^ Observe correct tightening torques. After tightening, loosen the connecting rod for the stabilizer 90 degrees, and tighten again (settling behavior of the ball joint!).
^ The parking brake is self-adjusting. If the basic setting of the parking brake is correct, further adjustment operations on the parking brake lever or on the turnbuckle are not necessary.
^ Always check the bellows for damage and if necessary, replace them, if continuing to use the drive shaft.