Hi,
Anyone changed the hardy spicer joint (adj to diff) on rear propshaft of 965cc 1986 Panda 4x4? - I am about to start the exercise armed with the Porters Manual. Just wondered if there are any snags? I have also located a s/h flywheel and intend to start dropping the gearbox over Christmas Hols. Got a new Valeo clutch kit at £57 UKP del to door. Any hints for dropping gearbox / aligning clutch? Porters imply drawing both hubs from driveshafts and pulling out gearbox complete with drive shafts - why can the driveshafts not be removed from the gearbox after drawing hubs off the splines - I seem to remember being able to remove drive shafts after I overhauled hub carriers a few years ago - any comments?

Tom

tjs

Removing the driveshafts helps you to handle the gearbox,which will be lighter!Of course on a 4x4 model you'll need to dismantle the transmission shaft to do the clutch!If you've got the manual read it,and possibly compare the different solutions from different books!

Best thing for aligning a new clutch is an old gearbox input shaft...

Regarding hubs and driveshafts, I did one inboard driveshaft boot by taking the hub off:
it was a real pain to split the bottom suspension joint, and the hub "staked" nut was beyond redemption and cost rather a lot to replace.

The other one was done with the hub left fastened to the driveshaft[:0] so the nut was undisturbed.
It was awkwark to refit - primarily due to the hub and some of the suspension weight being mauled about while getting the tripod joint back in. But I did it on my own.

BTW I took the suspension to bits (like this thread
http://www.fiatcentral.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5253)
rather than split that joint on the second side I did.