Drive Shaft Removal

Worked on the EV for 2 hours tonight. 

Used a red paint marker to mark the orientation of the drive shaft:  relative to the transmission (3 bolts), and the differential (4 bolts), and the center spline.  This will facilitate the reinstallation of the drive shaft in the same orientation as it began, and if the center spline comes apart, then I will have better luck in proper reassembly.

View of red paint markings on the rubber flange that connects the drive shaft to the transmission.

DSC01233  View from the differential looking forward showing the pair of mounting points at the rear of the transmission.   Edited 12/21/2021

Removed the brace next to the rubber gasket at the rear of the transmission to allow easy access to the three nuts that secure the rubber coupling to the transmission.  Without the support, the transmission and drive shaft assembly dropped about one inch.  Used the hydraulic jack under the body of the transmission to raise the drive train back into its original position.  Removed the four nuts that secure the drive shaft to the differential.  Although there is a little play, the entire drive shaft will need to move forward about 2 inches to be separated completely from the differential flange.  Removed the bracing posterior to the center bearing and then I loosened the two nuts that hold the bearing to the frame.  At this point the entire drive train was left hanging from the differential and the transmission.  While supporting the drive shaft with one hand, I rotated out the three bolts at the transmission coupling and with a little wiggling, the rubber coupling released from the transmission.  Using both hands I was able to wiggle the drive train back and forth while pulling forward until I was holding the entire drive train in my hands !!

             Rear view showing differential in the center, and the "saddle bag" plastic gas tanks after the drive shaft has been removed.

I will work on the removal of the transmission next.  I keep saying that.