I need to redrill my flange on my third member to accept my u joint bolt pattern. Can I pull the outer larger part of my drive shaft off so that I can better position it as a template to drill with? My only assumption is that I can do it but I'd want to mark the two sections so that they go back together on the same splines.

 

yes u can pull them apart, just mark with paint or something so when u put back they will go back in the same splines.

 

How important is it to line up the splines? I just pulled it out and forgot to mark them.

This is my rear shaft by the way.

 

As long as you don't have any vibrations then there isn't a problem.

The drive shafts are balanced at the factory. I've forgotten to mark them when taking them apart and have never had an issue.