Driveline into transmission problems

[AZ79]

1979 2000 When I removed this engine/trans, I simply let the driveline slip out of the splined hole coming out of the donut.
Now, trying to reinstall the engine, I can't for the life of me get the driveline back into that hole.
I had to unbolt the ujoint at the rear end and pull the driveline off so I could set the engine/tranny in place.
After the engine was settled, I tried like hell to get that splined end to slip into that yolk, but it wasn't happening. I assume I need to take the donut off. Why isn't it going in? I even lubed the sucker.

[AZ79]

Can anyone offer me any pointers on this? I'd sure appreciate it.

[124JOE]

i thought they sliped right in

[AZ79]

I thought so, too. But nope. Not mine, anyway.

[124ADDHE]

Maybe the grease is causing a hydraulic lock, this happened on my RR, i had to clean both parts spotless, hit with some wd40 and finally got them together - simple task turned into a real pain! The splines could then be greased with a gun on the nipple - i think the fiat is the same, i am terrible for not lubing the fiat because the u-joints are sealed units (the greaseable units are my preferance because i feel the need to lube them at every oil change).

[AZ79]

Thank you, Keith.

[124ADDHE]

NP. Did it work then?

[AZ79]

Nope, haven't tried it yet. I doubt it's a pressure lock, I only lightly coated the splines. I'll try again, then if it doesn't work I'll take the donut off.

[AZ79]

Well, I took the donut off, and then of course it slid right in. I finally have the drive train bolted in.
I don't know why it wouldn't slide in, it seemed to be in the splines, then it would hit a stop. My suggestion to anyone reoving the transmission is to just unbolt the donut and leave it connected to the drive shaft.

[AZ79]

...Gettin there.