Driveshaft / IRD Removal

One of these weekends, I'll actually get around to putting this flippin clutch in.

In the meantime, another couple of questions (sorry)!

I know that the IRD has to be seperated from the gearbox in order to remove the box. In the Haynes manual and the RAVE CD, they speak about shifting it across and resting it on the subframe. Sounds fine it theory!

Last week, when I was under the car assaulting the frozen exhaust nuts, I had a bit of a recce. From what I can see, the IRD is so far forward of my subframe that I really don't think I could rest in on there (block of wood, or not) without disconnecting it from the front propshaft.

Please don't tell me there's yet another thing to disconnect before removing the clutch.

Also, apart from dropping the hubs from the suspension legs, is there anything else that has to be removed in order to remove the driveshafts from the Gearbox and IRD? Or do they just pull out?

Don't suppos somone has some photos of the IRD 'resting' with the gearbox off? I've trawled this forum and the internet without any luck.

Sorry for yet more questions on this subject but, as always, helpful advice and general abuse gratefully received.

Cheers,

Ian.

The way i see it m8 is that you will have to remove the drive shafts so you can shift the box over so you might aswell remove it all together of your going to do it. What year is your car? diesel or petrol? if its diesel 2000 on then you will have to remove the front subframe otherwise you wont be able to get to the nuts that bolt the IRd. Its a heavy little fecker too. I did my ird a few months ago on my 2001 TD4. was a pig doing it on axle stands.

Cheers Rippedoff.

It's a 2000 Petrol (1.8).

And, yes, I'm going to be doing it on axle stands!

I think the IRD weighs about 30 KG - so laying on your back underneath, that's going to hurt!

Cheers,

Ian.

Vulcan426 said:

is there anything else that has to be removed in order to remove the driveshafts from the Gearbox and IRD? Or do they just pull out?

Click to expand...

Have 2 big flat screw drivers ready to get in either side of the inner cv joint and pry the cups out from the ird and gearbox.It will take a few sharp leverings (for want of a better description)using the ird and gearbox on t'other side to lever from.Oh, having removed and tied up the hubs to the struts or springs.

Thanks OldIrishWolf.

That's exactly what I needed to know; the driveshafts are a 'push fit' into the gearbox and IRD (albeit a tight one).

Thanks again,

Ian.

I did my IRD and gearbox replacement on my back on the drive. It isn't all that bad to do to be honest.
A couple of tips: Remove the IRD output pinion and rubber damper before you start undoing it from the box, that will make it a fair bit lighter and also smaller so you can drop it out with ease if you want to.
Also, make sure you don't damage the inner CV boot on the driveshaft when you're refitting the shaft, you can't get them without buying a new joint...

When I put mine back in it spent most of the time propped up on my forehead.Once I got it positioned right it took one tap of the lump hammer to get it moving onto the splines.

Thanks for the replies.

I did think it looked easiest to remove the IRD from the front prop shaft. Hadn't thought about unbolting the static damper though - cheers for that.

My mate is (allegedly) going to be helping me with this job. So I may just prop it up on his forehead! Sure he won't mind!!

Thanks again,

Ian.

Hi Vulc how did you get on .... removing clutch/ird any tips to help me
(don't say don't do it!!!)