Ring and pinion died in my step-sons 85 944, I'm swapping trans out of my parts car. Everything is loose, but the *&^*& drive shaft coupler will not slide back, both bolts are out and it did release from the torque tube side, but it will not slide back on the trans side shaft. Any hints, I've tried prying the opening wider and even tried a little hammer persuasion. The next step is heat (next to the gas tank, yeah) if that does not work I'll get out the sawzall!!!

 

What no farm technique for reefing this thing off!

 

I just took my tranmission out last week. Mine came off by pushing it with a long thick screwdriver. I don't know if some penetrating oil might help? Mine was tight, but not like you are saying.

 

I'm not sure it matters but I had no problem sliding mine the other way onto the TT side but I imagine you've tried that already.

 

Mine was TIGHT, but I just put a giant flat head screwdriver on it and a combination of prying and light tapping with a hammer moved it down nicely.

Just to make sure I'm reading this right: You're taking the transmission out and you removed both bolts on the coupler and are in the process of sliding it off the driveshaft. You got it so far back as to clear the torque tube shaft? If so...you only really need to move it back far enough to clear the torque tube driveshaft and maybe 1/4" or so of 'clearance'. The more clearance the merrier, but 1/4" or so should be enough I think.

BTW, what's with all the transmisison removals lately? I did mine last week as well and I know Ian's done two in the last week, now there's you and arebeitm to add to that list.

 

do you have the bellhousing bolts loose? If you do, it may be binding, if you don't try loosening them and wiggle the trans a bit while prying. I just did one that wanted to bind, I moved the trans a little and she wnet alot easier, still tight tho. Good luck

 

Add me to your list. Just put mine back in Sunday night.

 

I'm just waiting for a little warm weather to put my rebuilt in...

As for the coupler, I would also have guessed some misalignment causing the binding. You might try a judicious use of propane torch to expand it a bit. Don't over-do it or the transmission input shaft seal might get cooked. Then again, once you have the tranny out, it's easy to replace that seal..

 

I missed the part about 'everything is loose'. I think the coupling has to be slid back 'before' you loosen anything, it will bind for sure. Same thing on installation, it was one of the last things I did on mine with no problem. The clearances here are very close to reduce vibrations because the shaft spins at engine RPM.

 

the one I did sat would not line up at all when it was pulled up tight, I had to loosen and wiggle the trans. Coming apart it was fine with everything tight. wort a try tho

 

Thanks! I'll put the torque tube to bell housing bolts back in to influence alignment and give it a go! Sometime you can't see the forest for the trees.

 

"I missed the part about 'everything is loose'. I think the coupling has to be slid back 'before' you loosen anything, it will bind for sure."

Yeah, you don't want the tranny loose, it'll be slighly mis-aligned and bind the coupler. I've found that tyre-irons for a motorcycle is really handy for sliding the coupler. A giant 18" screwdriver with thick blade would probably work too, but I've broken all of mine with prying.

 

Hey 1bad914, did you ever get the coupler off?