drive shaft

[geospider]

need some assistance.
Hving trouble getting drive shaft slide back into tranny.
of course manual says it slides right out and right back in. Mine took a bit more force than I thought to get out, and now feels as though it doesn't line up with the splines.
???

Geo

[DieselSpider]

If it was hard to get out it will usually be hard to get back in especially on something that's got gummed up hardened oil turned to varnish and some rust on it. Give it a good cleaning with PBlaster and kerosene along with a good coating of assembly oil after ts cleaned so it will not bind when sliding it back together.

[wetminkey]

My auto was easy, but I started installation with the yoke, and attached the four bolts at the rear, last. I used some assembly grease inside, and on the outer surface, of the tranny yoke,...
Do you need a wheel up to allow for slight rotation,...so it will mesh?
Best of luck, my friend!

[DieselSpider]

Automatics tend to be a bit easier due to being lubed by a pump and not just splashed so the splines tend to stay wet and cleaner. Plus you can't really run an automatic low on fluid for very long as it will growl and skip while a standard won't act up until its been run low on lube long enough to have some damage and rust on the splines.

[geospider]

Thanks guys.
I read an old post; kmoses mentions a plastic spline which is tight that first needs to get through then align the metal ones, slide again.
that must have been what I initially felt taking it out.
My car is up on stands on both sides or rear. I have room, just can't get the force/alignment right.
right now, I got it through the plastic part and trying to get it the rest of the way. plenty of lube in there. ran myself out of gas last night. will tray soon. Trying to get to the All Italian car show today.

Geo

[geospider]

got it done and go to the show. Some shaking and persuasion.
Good meeting you Bryan.

Next year I will plan to NOT do any work the day before.

geo

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Yep, good chatting with you Geo, but I still owe you a beer! Next year I will try to bring either my '69 or '71 spider. Just now I was looking at that upper door hinge issue on my '71 that we talked about, and I'm guessing I will need to remove some surface metal in the door jamb area to be able to get to the hinge support in order to weld. Still thinking about it...

-Bryan