First, thanks for the insight and opinions about the leaky tailshaft seal. Before I made those posts I had already thoroughly read the FAQ about the tailshaft bushing and seal.

I've taken off the four bolts/nuts that hold the driveshaft to the flange on the tailshaft. I was expecting the driveshaft to either fall loose, or to be easily shoved back so it would disengage the tailshaft. It didn't do either. It is still firmly in place.

Should I pry the driveshaft flange loose from the taishaft flange? And, I still wonder how the driveshaft is supposed to move backwards, because of the center bearing. Doesn't the center bearing stop the shaft from moving backwards.

Anyway, what do I do to take the driveshaft off of the tranny, so I can continue with removing the tailshaft housing?
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1955 Human, Scott; 1991 745 Turbo, Thunderbolt; 1990 745GL, Posideon

The easiest way ive figured out how to do such is to unbolt the plate holding the center support bearing, this will allow the driveshaft to bend in the middle and will cause it to fall off the transmission.

Ahhh. . .

Thanks, that makes much sense, and sounds easier than giving myself a hernia yanking like mad on the driveshaft (to no avail).
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1955 Human, Scott; 1991 745 Turbo, Thunderbolt; 1990 745GL, Posideon

http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/TransmissionAuto.htm#Trans_Output_Shaft_Bushing
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See the 700/900 "FAQ" at the menu bar top screen left side.

Hi Steve,

I have read the FAQ about this several times before I posted this question. The best information in the FAQ is " . . push the driveshaft toward the rear of the car and it will pop out of the flange." That is under "Procedure Notes 1:" Which I tried to do. I pushed pretty hard and it did not move a hair.

What should I do? I'm concerned that if I pry at the flanges, I might dent up the flanges. I'm gonna try just whacking the flanges with a rubber or plastic hammer to see if that would loosen them up a bit. But would love any suggestions anyone might have. Or, if you have had the same experience, I'd love to hear how you got the driveshaft out.
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1955 Human, Scott; 1991 745 Turbo, Thunderbolt; 1990 745GL, Posideon

Honestly, can't remember how I did it, but I believe the flange has less that an 1/8" lip so just flexing it it should help. This really was the easiest part.

When you remove the housing, reallllllly focus on keeping the gasket intact. Even it is not intact on one face or the other (tranny or extension housing) if it is all there between to the two, just us a bit of RTV (very thin layer) and put it back together. Scraping the gasket is near impossible in certain areas.

Oddly enough, I ended up using a 3/4" PVC conduit coupler as a seal driver. I used a male side of a 1/2" galvanized plumbing union to drive the bushing. Can you tell I have been remodeling the house?

As one poster indicated, if you are lucky enough to have the late-additiona AW71L with a tailshaft bearing, you need only replace the seal.

Mike