Flex disc replacement

[Mangozac]

So the Zed went in for her first Inspection II last week and I've been advised that the driveshaft flex disc is developing cracks and thus will need replacement soon. Of course I'm going to do it myself so I looked up the TIS instructions and it's not a 2 second job, requiring removal of the exhaust and heatshields to get at the driveshaft.

I got under the car yesterday just to suss things out (I'll do the replacement in the next few weeks) and it seems like it's possible to access the disc without removing the exhaust and heatshield. There would just need to be some way to support the shaft once it's unbolted from the flex disc (so it doesn't sit on and possibly deform the heatshield.

Can anybody else comment on this? Should I just do things the proper way like the TIS instructs?

Also, the locking nuts for the bolts through the flex disc are supposed to be one time use but it seems many people don't replace them. What's the consensus here?

 

[Ewazix]

Can't comment on the method of fixing but one time lock nuts or studs/bolts are such for a reason, if these particular ones give out you don't want to be sat on top of the shaft when it does it's thing! They can rip the underside, smash the gearbox and even shred the floor! I'd replace the fastenings

 

[Mangozac]

When you put it like that it's a no brainer, especially when RealOEM lists them for $1.00 each. So I just got a quote from my local dealer. They want $4.72 each! Daylight robbery! Of course I could order some from overseas but postage costs have gone through the roof in the last 18 months so that's not feasible for such a small order

I know BMW parts are expensive here but this is just taking the piss at literally four times the price of elsewhere :x

 

[Mangozac]

OK just following up with the result on this

Firstly, I found a far better local source for genuine parts (http://www.partsagent.com.au/) and have got the replacement locking nuts on the way.

Secondly, I did some more research and looked at some DIY pics and now understand why the driveshaft needs to be dropped. I thought once the flex disc bolts were removed the disc would just drop out but that's not the case - there is a hole through the middle through which part of the driveshaft pokes. So the only way to get it off is to drop the driveshaft, which as per the TIS instructions requires removal of the exhaust and heatshield. No shortcuts