these are probably some dumb questions:

how difficult is it to replace the transmission without
a lift? can it be done with a jack and a set of jack
stands? if not, what alternative is there (i'm intent
on doing this myself)?

the extent of my experience with a transmission is replacing the clutch on a toyota tercel back in high school. i did this without a lift but i imagine that replacing the trans would have been tough without one.

thanks.
ks

'79 RX-7

 

Its not too hard at all. Jack up the car, put all 4 corners on stands, take out the 4 nuts and botl on the rear of the driveshaft, take it off. Take out the starter. Take the gear shifter off (three bolts under shift boot) Support the tranny with a jack and a block of wood, take out the bellhousing bolts, take off the crossmember, and your set. Oh, there might be some other stuff in there somewhere too, I just cant remember off the top of my head...This should give you the general idea though. Refer to your manual . If you dont have one, go get one from the library .

~T.J.

PS - Im sure if you replaced a clutch, it should be fairly easy for you to figure it out .

 

The tranny is light enough to pick up by yourself once it is out of the car, but while your on your back becareful not to let it fall.

Then getting it back in could be frustating. Threading the shaft back though the clutch at that angle could be a pain. and not to mention gravity may not be your friend that day.

I'd get at least one friend to help me put her back in....

 

its pretty simple to get it out, but it its stated by others it can be a bitch to get back in. i use a regular 2 ton jack on the front and get it to the proper height and get the imput shaft as level as i can. then i use my brute strength to push it in. last time i dropped my trans and reinstalled it took me maybe 5 hours to do the whole deal including taking my flywheel and clutch out to see what was up with them not working right.
best advice is dont get mad have plenty of beer and keep the trans level