It looks like they are self contained units, removed by removing the allen bolts.
Yes ? Are there any tricks, as in jacking the axle to an optimum angle ? Or beware the bolts being rust welded,...
Once removed it appears cleaning, replacing the bellows (boots) is not quick and easy.
Removing half shafts
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Eddie in TO
- Posts: 284
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 10:45 am
- Location: Toronto, Canada...EH!
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I jacked mine up, put stands in place and used a block of wood to keep the wheel from spinning while loosening the allen bolts. You can also use the emergency brake too but I wanted to be able to rotate the wheels to gain better access to each bolt while staying underneath the car.
You may want to have a breaker bar handing just in case you come across one that's a bit more stubborn to remove.
It wasn't too bad to R&R them as long as you have some time on your hands.
I have to do this again soon because the new bolts I ordered didn't come on time when I initially had the shafts rebuilt.
You may want to have a breaker bar handing just in case you come across one that's a bit more stubborn to remove.
It wasn't too bad to R&R them as long as you have some time on your hands.
I have to do this again soon because the new bolts I ordered didn't come on time when I initially had the shafts rebuilt.
Eddie Ribeiro
5erholic
1980 528i with a BMW Motorsport heart
5erholic
1980 528i with a BMW Motorsport heart
If you find you are about to strip the allen head you can always clamp a decent sized vice grips on the outside of the bolt head and use the allen socket and turn them both at the same time. It makes a difference on the stubborn ones. 
And yes, replacing the boot is a sluggish and very dirty process. After you get the snap ring off they will often still fight you off the splines.
And yes, replacing the boot is a sluggish and very dirty process. After you get the snap ring off they will often still fight you off the splines.
Mike W.
02 525ita. Wife's, aka grocery getter
02 530i. New to the fleet, 3 pedals.
03 QX4, AKA the Datsun. Finally got the 4WD vacationmoble to stop smoking.
07 Xterra. Still on the DL, a purchase from hell.
02 525ita. Wife's, aka grocery getter
02 530i. New to the fleet, 3 pedals.
03 QX4, AKA the Datsun. Finally got the 4WD vacationmoble to stop smoking.
07 Xterra. Still on the DL, a purchase from hell.
I have a good set of spares w/boots. The book says to mark the position of the shafts in relation to the plates they are leaving. If I intend to swap in the spares, what's the significance of not being able to orient them using any marks ?
Do I orient them as best I can comparing each side visually or are they delicately balanced at the factory ?
Do I orient them as best I can comparing each side visually or are they delicately balanced at the factory ?
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Andrew in Calgary
- Site Admin
- Posts: 114
- Joined: Wed Jul 26, 2006 8:13 pm
- Location: Calgary, Alberta
I don't know if it's correct or not, but I swapped in a set from my (E28s) parts car to my driver once upon a time, with no ill effects. That was some 50 or 60,000 Lead-footed km ago.
"There is nothing that a man can not make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price only are this man's lawful prey." - Rio Sollway
Half Shafts
I saw Andrew swapped in a set to his from an E28 donor, will E28's fit all E12's? I have a 77 and a nice junkyard nearby.
Ron Dwyer
Milwaukee, Wi
14 Audi A8L TDI
03 530i
08 F150 4X4
Milwaukee, Wi
14 Audi A8L TDI
03 530i
08 F150 4X4
