Newbie question about propeller shaft.

[stronge]

Hi, everyone. I have a rather stupid question. I have a 1990 345 GL 1,7 (manual transmission). One time I intended to sell it for spare parts and found a buyer willing to purchase it if the propshaft is ok. So he removed it for inspection but then he refused to buy the car because he was suddenly willing to change the price and I was not. Some time after I have found a good garage to work at and decided to repair the car rather than selling it (not many problems actually, but they include very rusty body almost missing the floor).
The problem is I can't actually see how to install the propshaft back. The literature I've found says to fit it with the one end and then to slide it forwards onto the clutch shaft and tighten the clamps. But when I try to fit it onto the gearbox shaft it doesn't fit simply being not in line with it because of the clutch shaft. So the stupid question is how can I get the propshaft perfectly in-line with the gearbox shaft to be able to put it onto the latter? I haven't found any manuals explaining this stage (they all have only the "fit-slide-tighten" solutions). Perhaps Haynes is more informative but I don't have one (if it is, maybe someone could scan the appropriate pages for me?). I'll really appreciate any help.

[340GLT]

Fit onto clutch shaft and keep tapping prop forward until it clears gearbox shaft, then tap all the way back.
Adam

[stronge]

That's what I've tried but as the splines and shafts are very rusty it appeared I'm not just strong enough to put it onto the clutch shaft any further than about half an inch and I don't think hammering it onto the shaft is a really good idea. So I've thought another reason I can't do it is it not being fully alined with the clutch shaft because of the gearbox shaft messing in. If this is not a problem the next question is what instruments can I use to fit it with a minimal amount of damage?

[340GLT]

There is no real way to allign it to get it on, although the prop will sit at one side of the gearbox shaft with more room, then use a rubber mallet to knock the prop on. Use a wire brush to clean the shafts first, and use a bit of WD40 but dont use grease.
Adam

[stronge]

Ok then. The question is closed.