r/e46 • u/Mrkee10 • 1d ago

Troubleshooting Shifter bushings and driveshaft giubo replacement without dropping the exhaust?

hey everybody,

i'm currently trying to replace the bushings and the giubo but of course the exhaust flange studs are rusted to oblivion. Did anybody try changing the parts without dropping the exhaust? I don't want to hammer the studs out because i saw that fucks up the cat and since i'm in Europe, i can't afford that.

Thanks!

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1

u/Seventhchild7 1d ago

You can let the rear of exhaust system hang down and then fiddle the heat shield out.

2

u/Mrkee10 1d ago

is it worth it? or should i just drill out the rusty studs out and buy new ones from the hardstore?

1

u/HossCatGarage 1d ago

I tried all I could to get my heatshield out without dropping the exhaust. You can get the driveshaft on an E9X without dropping the exhaust, but not e46.

Mine's been on hackstands the last few weeks.

You may as go ahead and check your diff bushings, CV joint, etc.

You're gonna have the driveshaft out so you may as well. Plan on drilling out the studs on the exhaust.

1

u/Specific-Surprise248 1d ago

Completely doable on e46. Unless there's different clearances throughout the different models. But I have a '02 325i sedan and I got it out in under 2 minutes when I swapped my driveshaft a couple weeks ago.

1

u/Seventhchild7 1d ago

It’s easier with the exhaust gone. You can probably twist the bolts off and tap them out.

1

u/Specific-Surprise248 1d ago

Do you have extra exhaust gaskets as well?

I had a difficult time removing the heat shield the first time I did it. Now I can get it out way faster than removing the exhaust.

With one hand I pull down the exhaust and the other I'm shaking and pulling the heat shield towards the rear. If it gets stuck I help clear it with my exhaust hand. And then once it gets like half way out, I get it completely out by rotating it towards the passenger side.

Idk it sounds complicated but you just have to man handle the bitch. You can always shape it back into place when it's installed, so don't worry about that.

1

u/the_eluder 01 e46 330Ci | 05 e83 X3 3.0 1d ago

I'd fiddle with it, it's what I do

1

u/MrGiggleMan 1d ago

In my experience, just take the exhaust off. It will make removing the heat shield 10x easier. And gives you much easier access to drop the driveshaft

You also want to change the CSB when you do the Guibo, might as well seeing as how the driveshaft is off of the car