[200q20v] Driveshaft?

[Jeff.Bernstein at pneumaticscale.com]

Phil,

I can't remember if you can remove the drive shaft without removing the
exhaust but it certainly would be easier to lube the drive shaft CV with the
muffler off.  I have close to 200,000 on my car and the exhaust is original
and in very good condition.  I removed it last year and it was very easy to
remove except for the bolts that mount the CAT to the transmission tail as I
remember.  After I broke one bolt I heated the other one and it came off
without a problem.

I would definitely lube the driveshaft CV, especially the front one, if I
were hearing the noise that you described.  Mine made a similar noise and
when I removed the joint it was bone dry.  Lubed it up and the sound went
away and never came back, at least not in the 40,000 to 50,000 miles since I
lubed it.

Jeff 
http://www.bernsteincars.8m.com/