I have a KF verada and i'm trying to remove the LEFT hand hub/knuckle assembly and drive shaft from the transmission case. Should it just pull straight out? (I have already removed the brake caliper and disc, disconnected the lower control are from the chassis, disconnected the knuckle from the strut, disconnected the sway bar from the lower control)

Any tips on removal would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

You don't need to disconnect the knuckle from the strut; (or the disc & caliper, as I recall, only the c-clip on the brake hose to give it some slack). Only disconnect the lower ball joint; the tie rod; and, one sway bar connector. Tap the shaft end out of the knuckle while pulling the knuckle outwards (it pivots on the upper rubber strut suport). Get a piece of wire and bend it around the drive shaft to the strut spring so the drive shaft is held out horizontal.

The driveshaft should come out with a lever or large screwdriver pressed up against the gearbox case. It's held in with a circular spring steel ring. It should come out with a pop and quite easily (especially if you have it horizontal, as detailed above). If it doesn't, you are putting side force on the spline and helping it lock in. Try to angle the levering force so that it is in line with the shaft.

The dreaded passenger side drive shaft removal!!

You, me and plenty of other people have experienced problems getting that darn thing out! You're not the first, or the last for sure.

The driveshaft has a circlip on it that needs to pop inwards to allow the driveshaft to come out.

Once upon a time, I had the same problem and made a thread here: http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93635
There's some good suggestions there.

I've removed that side driveshaft about 4-5 times now and you sometimes need a variety of approaches.

The way that works for me the best is to get a prybar and jam it on the underside of the driveshaft, in the small gap between the transmission (diff) housing and the driveshaft, and push on the prybar towards the passenger side, giving it a few tugs. Don't have to go ballistic but tap it a few times and then give it it a nice push.That hasn't always worked for me, so in the past I've tapped the passenger driveshaft from inside the gearbox using a long screw driver and mallet. To get access you need to remove the intermediate shaft and drivers side driveshaft and looking through the gearbox you can see the end of the driveshaft. When tapping, obviously just be careful not to smash too hard and get the driveshaft jammed because you'll have a really bad day!

edit: forgot to mention that having it horizontal does make quite the difference. I struggled immensely when it was hanging down. Have a mate hold it - or get heavy duty wire. An old coathanger should do fine.

Good luck. It'll come off eventually!

Following on from above, after I wired it horizontally, it poped out so easily I didn't realise it had actually come out. I was wondering why there was no pressure on the pry bar and after I stuck my head under the guard did I realise it was out. I had read too many forum posts saying how hard it was that I was expecting a real fight.

Also, Magna PI that's neat way of hammering from the other side through the crown wheel but remember you are putting the same hammer blows through the roller bearing on the passenger side. I would think that method should only be used as a last resort.

I did make a special mention to tap it lightly. I definitely would not be smashing it at all.

You really only need to give it a light tap. I remember struggling for ages on the passenger side, pushing really hard on the prybar, even slamming it with my leg all to no avail. Then tapped a very little bit on the inside, and she slid out really easy after that.

Thanks. I should give the whole story... my daughter crashed into a guard rail and destroyed the lower control arm in the process. The drive shaft was pulled out of the gearbox housing. I have a parts car and i'm trying to remove the shaft/hub/knuckle/lower control arm all in one piece so i can put it into my 'good' car.

Here are some photos.. does this piece:
http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z447/peteroptions/th_photo1.jpg?t=1351856779
just push into this:
http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z447/peteroptions/th_transmission.jpg?t=1351856416

?

Seems like a lot of trouble to do it all in one piece. I would think it easier to separate the parts. Much easier to handle.

Agree, but the main problem is I don't have the tools to remove the ball joint from the knuckle.

I assumed the spider assembly would just slide out of the TJ housing, but its not popping out easily!

That hasn't always worked for me, so in the past I've tapped the passenger driveshaft from inside the gearbox using a long screw driver and mallet. To get access you need to remove the intermediate shaft and drivers side driveshaft and looking through the gearbox you can see the end of the driveshaft.

Good luck. It'll come off eventually!

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS INFORMATION :D
After 4 days of trying to remove the passenger side drive shaft, i finally got it out using this method.
The circlip on the old driveshaft, looks to be bigger compared to the circlip on the new driveshaft i have, which is probably why it was such a B**** to get out.