[s-cars] Driveshaft replace/rebuild? sources?

[Jimmy Pribble]

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> Will I need to remove the joint to clean it, I don't see how I will be
able to get the old grease out with the existing joint not having a grease
fitting.

Chris,

Take a look at this photo:

http://www.urs4.com/images/driveshaft/DSCN1004.JPG

Look at 11 o'clock, way down at the end of the driveshaft, out of focus, is
the CV joint you will be dealing with.  It is held onto the transmission
flange by uh, six(?) allen-head bolts.  You will remove those and you will
also probably need to remove the two bolts that hold the carrier bearing to
the car in order to get the driveshaft to come loose.  Then you will clean
and repack the CV joint as shown in this FAQ (lots of photos to show you
what a CV joint looks like), which is dealing with a different set of CV
joints, but they are fundamentally the same:

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/misc27.shtml

If you are going to go through the trouble, you might as well do both CV
joints (one on each end), so just remove the whole driveshaft (heavy,
awkward) and do them both on a bench where it is comfortable.

To get to the driveshaft in the first place, yes, you will need to drop your
exhaust.  This is where you might spend a lot of your time, if you have
rusted bolts (you will).  There are also a couple(?) of heat shields.  It's
all easy, but time consuming and sometimes a PIA.  But, it is a great
learning experience and it is always good to spend time underneath your car
checking stuff out.

This is from memory so YMMV.  Get a Bentley!

Good luck,

Jimmy