Release the parking brake and put the transaxle in Neutral, then raise the vehicle and securely place it on jackstands. Crawl under the vehicle and visually inspect the driveshaft for dents, bends, and cracks, and check for oil leakage at the front and rear ends. Have an assistant rotate a rear wheel to rotate the driveshaft and verify that the
Universal Joint and the rear rubber coupling are operating properly without binding, noise, or looseness. Listen carefully for any noise from the center bearing and inspect the rubber part of the center bearing for cracks and any other damage. Twist the universal joint to check for freeplay, and mark the relationship of the driveshaft flange at the front end of the driveshaft and the rubber coupling at the rear end in relation to their corresponding companion mounting flanges at the transfer case and at the rear differential. Remove the bolts that secure the rubber coupling to the rear differential companion flange, the center support bearing bracket mounting bolts, and the bolts that secure the driveshaft yoke to the transfer case companion flange, then remove the driveshaft assembly. Installation is the reverse of removal.