New to Forum & 2001 3010 Mule - Pls help w/ front propeller shaft question
 

Hi, this is my first time using a forum, thanks for your advice!

I recently bought a 2001 Kawasaki 3010 620KAF E 4WD, & I need to remove the 2-piece propeller shaft.

I removed the center bearing block & the rear section of the drive shaft pulled easily off the splined shaft of the transmission. However, I cannot seem to get the front section of the drive shaft to slip off the spline shaft from the front differential. I've examined the parts book & I see no retainers or clips that need to be removed.

Could the drive shaft splines be frozen onto the front pinion shaft?

If so, does anyone have any advice on how to free it up???? I have an acetylene torch, but don't want to damage aluminum or rubber seals which are close by.

Any advice appreciated!!!

I know this has been a while--but did you ever get this out--having the same problem--any help ???

Removing Driveshaft From front diff Part (1)
 

Hi GDub ,
No Torch Needed ...
The Front Drive shaft IS held in Place With " Snap - Ring " Inside The
Propeller Shaft Bearing Housing / Carrier Bearing " ...
( this Comes from The Shop Manual ) : 1, Remove Covers around Fuel tank ;
2 , remove fuel Tank ; 3, Remove access Cover over " Propeller Shaft Bearing Housing / Carrier bearing " ; 4, Remove Right rear Floor board ; 5, Remove mounting Bolts from The Frame Mount To " Carrier Bearing Housing " ; 6, Slide Bearing Housing AND Front Shaft To OutSide Frame
Rail ,,, The Front shaft Should come off now ..........
Spray With Your Favorite Rust-buster , Lightly hammer on the
U-joint Yoke , Turn , tap, turn , tap , To Get the Front drive out ......
The " U-Joint Yokes Are "" PRESSED FITTED "" To The Propeller Shafts .
( Best To Get A shop Manual ??? )


Timed Out S------
Later, Mark K.

Remove Drive line part (2)
 

Hi GDub ,
got Timed Out , Cannot Type Fast,,,
Ok, Back to it ,,,,
While you Have both Shafts out , Inspect all the " U- Joints , The Yokes ,
The Propeller Shaft bearing Housing / Carrier Bearing And the Shafts Them Self's
( Making Sure They are Not Bent !!! )
Clean All Splines Of rust , (((( Quick TIP !!! - Replace Grease Fitting In
" Propeller Shaft Bearing Housing WITH A ,, [ 90 * ] Degree fitting , Point The it Down To Grease It With OUT taking The Floor OUT !!!>>>>
>>>>With Repairs made ,,, start (( Got Shop Manual ?????? ) <<<<<
:::: Installation :::::
1, Inspect small " O-Ring " Apply Grease To Pinion Shaft " / Front Diff.
( A Little Amount of " Anti-Seize Compound " Is A Better Choice ) .
2, install front drive shaft on pinion shaft ( Leave " Carrier-bearing" loose )
3, (( IMPORTANT !! )) Line UP the " U-Joint Yokes " Front To Rear Shaft ,
{{ I Mean The Yoke On the Front shaft Needs TO Be " Inline" With The shaft To Yoke For The Rear Drive Shaft ...
((( Not Sure ?? Go Look At A Car Or Truck " with A - [ ONE- Piece Drive Shaft-- Rear Wheel Drive " , These Yokes Are Welded Inline on the shaft tube , .
( Cannot Post a Picture ;( )...
OK , 4 , Slide Propeller shaft bearing in frame Back to center To Install rear U-Joint On out-put Shaft On Tranny , (( !! Do Not Tighten Any Bolts YET !! )) .
5 , Check for " Clearance BETWEEN THE Front U-Joint Yoke and Pinion
Shaft Nut (( Need 3mm /( 0.12in.) )) .. > This Sets the Proper Distance between the Front Diff And That Bearing ... Tighten the bolts ( there is
A Spacer/Bushing that goes in the Bolt hole On the Bearing Housing ).
6 , The Rear Drive Shaft " Floats / Moves on the Out-Put On the Tranny ..
7 , Floorboards, Bearing Cover , Fuel tank , Fuel Tank Covers ,
Bleed/ Prime Fuel System ///// Done !!!!


One Last ITEM ! Use Anti-Seize Compound On Any Thing you take APART!!
( Like The Floor Screws , Fuel Tank Bolts ,,, UGH ;(:( , Just Saying ) ......

Oh < While You Got up the air / Wheels Off > Check the rest of the
"" Drive line " Front Axles/ CV Boot's / Rear Axles U-Joint's/ Rear shaft
Slider's And Rubber Boots / Front Diff Fluid / Rear Diff-Tranny Fluid's .
Ok ,This Sound/ Looks like a lot!!!
But it's Not that bad ,
Later ,
Mark K.