replacing the center support bearing (4kq)

[Luke Rickert]

I received my BMW center support bearing yesterday ($30!) and now I
would like to instal it. The problem is the manual says something
helpful to the effect that if anything wrong with the drive shaft you
should remove the exhaust and then remove and replace the entire drive
shaft! not much help at all. 

So the question is, for those of you who have done this job, what I
should expect before I get into the project?  

I have already slotted the round hole in the bracket, but what else is
going to cause me grief?  Does the exhaust actually need to come out?
(necessitating new seals, locking nuts and considering its age an
offering of knuckle skin) Also although I suppose I can figure it out
once I am in there, how do you get the new bearing in there/get the
universal joint apart?

thanks

Luke 

I hope the list is still working, I tried to go the archives but there
are not there :(
-- 
Luke Rickert
www.engr.orst.edu/~rickert