Olds Split Drive Shaft Question?????

I am trying to remove the split drive shaft in my 57 Olds. Per the instructions in the manual it say to loosen up the large nut, pull back the nut and collar and the 2 shafts SHOULD seperate. In the picture form the manual it shows a index clip on the slip yoke. When I attempt to pull the shafts apart you can feel the shaft stop on the index clip.
It's obvious that I am missing something. Help is needed on this one. I attached a pic of the drive shaft and a pic from the assembly manual.

Thanks,
bob

 

Why don't you just pull the whole thing out of the car? Remove the u-bolts at the rear universal, then 2 bolts on the bearing support and the whole driveline should slide right out.

It looks like you're already half way there from the looks of the bearing plate... it'll be much easier to attack that clip without the whole damn car getting in the way.

 

I called Dad and read him your question to see if he had any ideas, he suggested detaching it from the trans first and seeing if something "loosens" up.

 

the drive shaft is unhooked from both ends. The tranny is out of the car. The reason I can't slide it out is because the mounting plate it to latge to slip past the opening in the frame. I will try to take better pics of the assembly to show what I mean.

 

If you have all the bolts loose and out of the center bearing support the whole drive shaft and center bearing will taken out by going back under the rear axle. Rear u-joint has to be disconnected of course.

 

Did you try going the other way?

I'm guessing my 60 is muy different then. I was able to unbolt the support from the x-member and slide the entire driveline out the back. There was enough space for the bearing plate AND the support to come out while still mounted to the driveline.

I'm guessing the bottom of the photo is toward the front of the car and the rear of the x-member is shown? (Mine has the same e-brake cable yoke at the rear of my x-member.)