I have just replaced my rear diff which, of course, involves removing both rear driveshafts. In the past the wisdom on taking driveshafts out was to lever them free from the grip of the "C" clip by using two flat bladed levers. LR (in the manual) specifically warn against this practice and specify the use of a LR special tool. In fact, it would be very hard to lever out the nearside driveshaft as it is recessed into the diff.

To get round the problem I cobbled together my own special tool by welding a nut to a "G" clamp so I could attach my slide hammer to it thus:-


..and here it is in position:-



One light blow of the slide hammer did the trick. If you don't have welding gear I reckon that when the "G" clamp is securely fixed to the driveshaft you could just tap it with an ordinary hammer.

Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated  John
07 HSE Narvick Black
Land Rover Series One
Triumph Rocket 111 (sadly gone!)

Hi JST,

That is very ingenious! When you say nearside I assume you mean RHS? I only ask as I have to remove my LHS driveshaft, is it possible to lever this side out or should I adopt a similar method? 2010MY 2.2 e4 (gone but, not forgotten)
Audi TT Roadster 3.2 DSG
FFRR Westminster 4.4 TDV8 (L322)

Nearside is L/H side (Nearest the kerb).
Offside is R/H side. Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

Yes Steve

But look at JST's picture of the underside of his Freely, that is of the RHS of the vehicle, he is in France so his nearside will be the RHS 2010MY 2.2 e4 (gone but, not forgotten)
Audi TT Roadster 3.2 DSG
FFRR Westminster 4.4 TDV8 (L322)

Ah, but I think he is English so possibly uses the same terminology. The one in his picture is, I would say, the offside but he talks of the nearside being recessed into the diff. The one in that picture doesn't look recessed to me. Perhaps he can confirm? Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

Whether he is English or not, the nation has voted so he's not allowed to think English over there

Still looks like the ideal solution though, I'm going to see what I can cobble together. 2010MY 2.2 e4 (gone but, not forgotten)
Audi TT Roadster 3.2 DSG
FFRR Westminster 4.4 TDV8 (L322)

A but clause 50 has not been actioned yet so I say ...................................

Impressed by the injunity by the way.  FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

Well, I don't know whether I have done the wrong thing but it came off quite easily with a gentle pry. All sorted now. 2010MY 2.2 e4 (gone but, not forgotten)
Audi TT Roadster 3.2 DSG
FFRR Westminster 4.4 TDV8 (L322)