Driveshaft Removal

[GunnerRob]

Oh, and one more thing, does anyone know if the 280zx drive shaft is the same as the 280z in that you can not replance the u-joints?

I know from personal experience that the u-joint on a 280z driveshaft is not replaceable in the conventional sense. It is pressed in at the factory and requires a press to replace it. When I ran into this problem, I bought a replacement driveshaft from MSA that comes with a replaceable u-joint. It worked very well, and I think I paid about $150 for it about 5 years ago. It did not come with bolts and nuts.

I used a box end wrench to turn the nuts and a steel spike, about 16" long, through the opening in the u-joint, to secure it while turning the nut. Also, by having the rear end up on jack stands (a must for safety), I didn't have issues with the transmission fluid leaking out after I pulled the driveshaft.

The most helpful thing I did for this procedure was to have patience.

Good luck.

[Datsun-Fever]

Ok, if i can not remove the Ujoints, i am going to bring the driveshaft to a transmission shop. One more thing, after i get these things changed, is there anything else i can do to cure the big clunk that happends when i change gears? im told its either the Ujoint bearings are gone or the bolts are loose.

[montoya_fan01]

Replace the Front Differential Mount. The rubber sandwiched between the upper and lower metal plates of it has probably been torn apart. Common problem.

[Mike]

Yep, the infamous clunk can only be cured by replacing all of the rear-end bushings. U-joints, diff mount, etc.... I finally got rid of mine by replacing the two bushings that hold the diff in place (cross member).

[Datsun-Fever]

Well, its finally all done, relised the bolts on the right side half shaft where loose enough to move with my fingers, so im sure that helped a little. I got the nuts out by pounding the $^!# out of them to break them loose, so the driveshaft is back in, now just one last thing to fix that clunk, one of the bolts on the front diff crossmember has broken off, so i think thats one of reasons for my problem. One more thing, not really supposed to be in this section, but i started the car up, and it was running like CRAP! but when i ran it off of my moms honda with booster cables, it ran perfect, i know my battery is junk, im getting one tomorrow, but do you guys thing my alternator is done?

[AChev]

When I was taking off my drive shaft I remember how much of a royal pain in my arse it was. I remember taking a wrench and sticking it through the u joints on the opposite side of the shaft then it would hit the sides of the tranny tunnel when i would take the bolts off to keep it from spinning. Probably bad for the u-joints, but they will be replaced any how

[AChev]

When I was taking off my drive shaft I remember how much of a royal pain in my arse it was. I remember taking a wrench and sticking it through the u joints on the opposite side of the shaft then it would hit the sides of the tranny tunnel when i would take the bolts off to keep it from spinning. Probably bad for the u-joints, but they will be replaced any how

[jmanz6]

You can check your alternator by putting a meter on the battery and seeing if you are getting any voltage form the alt. It should read 13.5-14.8V with the engine running. If it's less, then your alt or your VR are bad. If you have an int reg alt, then it's the alt. You can also take the alt to an auto parts store and they will test it for free.

Glad to hear you got the bolts off. I have to do mine soon as I also have a bad U-joint.

[texasz]

I'm currently working on removing the driveshaft from a 1970 240Z and the nuts are an odd size.  They are between a 12 and 13mm though a 1/2 is slightly too large and a 7/16 is too small.  😞

 

I'm not so sure that these are original, I know that they have been off before because the car has a 5-speed in it.  

 

I've hit them with PB Blaster a few hours ago and will see how that goes.

[heyitsrama]

Such a strange size, can you fit an adjustable wrench in there? Figure just get them out and replace them with a new set. 
 

I took the driveshaft out today, was super pissed off that the sway bar gets in the way of accessing the hardware. 

[texasz]

6 minutes ago, heyitsrama said:

Such a strange size, can you fit an adjustable wrench in there? Figure just get them out and replace them with a new set. 

I know right!  I was dumfounded after checking my wrenches multiple times.  I may check an adjustable wrench, not sure it will fit though...we'll see.

[siteunseen]

Late to the party but get one of these for the transmission side. Keeps all that stinky fluid from spilling out.