Thanks to PaulF for this information on
driveshaft removal.
You can in fact remove the driveline from the bottom and it only took me an hour to figure it out. I can probably do it in 30 minutes next time...
- Remove Skid Plate.
- Remove LF lower fender thing (not sure what it is called but it gives you clear access to the clip holding the driveline in the front clutch).
- Unclip the LF Speed Sensor wire from the frame (2 places).
- Remove the rear drive line loop. Not sure you really need to do this but I thought the driveline would come out the back as noted by other. Turns out there is enough room and the driveline comes out the bottom very easily.
- Remove the front driveline loop bolts. Use 3/8 drive and you will need a u-joint or wobbly socket. Slightly pry the driver floorboard to give clearance for the socket. Once loose, you can use 1/4 drive air ratchet to remove.
- Split the loop apart and take it completely out.
- Turn the drivetrain until the release clip on the front clutch faces left. Use some good flat/parallel style snap ring pliers to release the front yoke from the front diff clutch. It will only come out about 1/4" at this point until you remove the diff bolts.
- Remove the 3 bolts holding the front diff in place.
- Although not necessary, it helps a lot to remove the RIGHT 4 lower engine mount bolts and use a ratchet strap and pull the right side of the entire engine assembly back about 1/4" to 1/2". This makes the driveline removal and install much easier. Don't apply too much pressure, just enough to move the engine back a little.
- Carefully pry the diff forward, pull the driveline back, rotate the void where the clip resides upward and wiggle the driveline up and over the diff.
- Pry the drive line forward off the O-rings on the rear spline and push the driveline forward and up.
- Pull driveline out the bottom at the back.
- DONE!!!
Also from PaulF - (same but different)
If you only need to remove the driveline, you do not need to pull the floorboard, the axles or the diff to remove the driveline. Just remove the skids and the left lower inner fender. The driveline comes out the bottom in less than an hour...
More details from PaulF -
Removing the driveshaft is not that hard and removal of the front diff is not necessary. It takes less than 1 hour to R&R and I have done it a couple times and can do it in 40 minutes (20 to remove and 20 to install).
The tricks are ..
- Instead of removing the floor pan, just use a pry bar and move it over about 1/2 inch so you can remove one of the driveline loop bolts.
- Release the clip on the driveline at the front diff, do not remove the clutch.
- If you are alone, use a ratchet strap to hold the front diff as far forward as possible because it wants to slide back if you don't hold it forward.
- If you still cannot remove the driveline, use another ratchet strap on the RR engine mount to the rear of the frame and pull the motor back a little. This will give you the room you need to sneak the driveline out.
Added info from HondaTech - (7-27-23)
If ypu have a 2 post lift to use, it's an 1 hour job at most.
Remove middle skid plate(if stock) or remove skid plates that allow you to acces the front driveshaft loop and in front of the sub trans.
Remove the bumper/winch (if equipped with a winch)
Take all 2 forward front differential bolts out, loosen rear bolt but leave in, unclip the sensor wire on the drivers side
Remove the front driveshaft loop, I use a 12mm swivel socket (1/4" drive) and get it from underneath
We have a special set of inside opening pliers (Mac Tools) to get the clip open in the diff. Lube and brake clean help loosen it up.
Then use a pry bar to pry the driveshaft back while opening the clip
Remove the bolt from the differential and push it forward until the driveshaft comes out
Slide the driveshaft up into the cavity under the hood and drop it out the bottom (you may have to pry it off the sub trans, using the frame as a pushing point)