Abstract: A trench wall cutter with a drive mechanism which is attached to the cutting frame in a position which is spaced away from the bearing shield with a gear for driving at least one cutting wheel is provided. Between the drive mechanism and the drive pinion of the gear in the bearing shield there is a drive shaft. To reduce wear on the drive shaft bearing and gear wheel in the gear an external spiral tooth system is formed on one end of the drive shaft which fits into a connecting sleeve with an internal tooth system. In the internal tooth system the drive shaft with its external spiral tooth system is held rotationally fixed with the capacity to be deflected around the axis of the drive shaft. The connecting sleeve is also joined to the drive mechanism or drive pinion of the gear.