So I have this leaking trans slip yoke seal. Probably a worn yoke. I look at the Chilton's manual to remove the drive shaft and it says remove the bottom pinion mount to access drive shaft. Ok, did that, after using a cut off wheel to remove the bolts that the PO had installed the wrong way. You can only push the bolts out towards the drivers side. They were the opposite. Obviously the bracket was installed with the axle out of the car DOAH! So then I remove the u-joint retainers and low and behold, there aint no way to slide the now free drive shaft out rearward, under the pinion..no way. I jack the pinion snout up a bit and still no way, partly cuz the jacks in the way but mostly there just isn't enough room. I move forward, realized that the front is also bolted to the slip yoke and am thinking I need to separate the slip from the shaft then drop the shaft forward, under the trans? But I ran out of time. Is that the correct way to get it out? 
Thanks, Dave

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My Christmas present to ME! Bought Sat 11-30-2013. 72, 350 4 spd, Silver with blue interior...Can't you just hear Pablo Cruz playing in the background?

Er....no.
The driveshaft has to be brought out to the front. Unbolt the front yoke straps, slide the yoke up into the trans. Take the rear straps loose(as you already did), then wrangle the shaft out frontwards. You'll never get it out going to the rear.....even if you take the diff out.
The only reason to remove the front diff mount is to make it slightly easier to get to the bolts/nuts/straps. I use a long extension and get them from the front, and don't mess with the diff mount.
hth


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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

And that is what I get for looking at the manual. Good tip on the long socket/ extension. I'll put em back in that way so I can get more leverage on the bolts. Hey at least I got bonding time with the underside of my car! She's super clean otherwise. Factory black paint and no rust.

Thanks,
Dave

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My Christmas present to ME! Bought Sat 11-30-2013. 72, 350 4 spd, Silver with blue interior...Can't you just hear Pablo Cruz playing in the background?

No prob, Dave. Ya needs to get ya the Factory Service Manual....and use the Chilton's for a bookmark....

I have the Chilton's manual too, but they cover so many different years, there's just no way for them to be very specific, even tho the chassis are pretty much the same from '63-'82. But then again, once you do 15-20 of them(driveshaft removals), things go a lot smoother....

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

10 - fo

I'm hoping this will be the one and only drive shaft removal for me ......ya right.....


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My Christmas present to ME! Bought Sat 11-30-2013. 72, 350 4 spd, Silver with blue interior...Can't you just hear Pablo Cruz playing in the background?

Don't get me rong.....it's not gunna just fall out on yer head. Depending on the exhaust, and what trans it is, it will take a little finagling.... 4 speeds are a little easier.

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"