Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1962 Cadillac driveshaft removal, vibration problems, driveline service

Question
i need to pull the driveshaft to have the center support bearing replaced. is there anything i shoudl watch out for? any special tools required? this would be my first time removing / re-installing a driveshaft.

Answer
This is a tricky operation, I think you would be better advised to take it to a driveline service shop and have them do it for you.  When you remove the driveshaft, you have to remove the whole assembly in one piece, meaning both the front and rear portions.  When you pull the front section out of the back of the transmission, the transmission fluid will start running out the back of the transmission unless you have an extra front section or at least a spare companion flange to stuff in the hole to stop it.  

Also, to remove the driveshaft, you have to take down the center support bearing, then take the rear U-joint apart and lower the rear portion slightly, then finally slide the whole assembly back through the center frame opening - being very careful not to flex the center joint more than a few degrees, because you can easily damage the center u-joint otherwise. If you decide to do it yourself, be sure to keep the whole driveline as straight as you can while you move it around.

Also, be sure to mark all the mating parts so that you get the driveshaft back into the transmission and connected to the rear end in the same position as it came out - to avoid vibration problems, especially if you take the driveline apart to replace u-joints.  A driveline service place will know all this, and can balance the rebuilt driveshaft for you to avoid any vibration at all.

Dick