Clearance required for transmission removal
#2
Full Member
iTrader: (4)
I have used just standard jack stands to drop the transmission but didn't pull it out from under the car. I imagine you would have to roll it off the trans jack for more clearance and then drag it out.
Most important is that your jack can get the car high enough.
1) I jack up the back end to remove the cat portion of exhaust, powerplant frame and driveshaft then drop it back down.
2) Remove shifter from inside the cab of the car. Stuff a rag in the open hole.
3) Jack up front end, remove accessories, drain and drop trans. Pull it out the front since it is pitched up and will have more clearance. If needed you can jack the car up another few inches and use the highest setting on the jack stands.
Most important is that your jack can get the car high enough.
1) I jack up the back end to remove the cat portion of exhaust, powerplant frame and driveshaft then drop it back down.
2) Remove shifter from inside the cab of the car. Stuff a rag in the open hole.
3) Jack up front end, remove accessories, drain and drop trans. Pull it out the front since it is pitched up and will have more clearance. If needed you can jack the car up another few inches and use the highest setting on the jack stands.
#3
RX-7 Bad Ass
iTrader: (55)
I always do the job on 4 jack stands, most of the way up. They are "plain" jack stands, not ones for trucks or anything.
If you can get your hands on a Harbor Freight transmission jack, it makes the job SO much easier, especially putting the trans back in.
https://www.harborfreight.com/450-lb...nsmission+jack
The ratchet strap is kind of overkill, I removed it on mine and cut the wings off that it attached to. Also is a big help to have 2 people doing the job.
Once you get the trans down, get the jack out from under it and you can scoot it out from beneath the car.
The FD is not a bad car to do a clutch job on all things considered. Do make sure you understand the push style clutch, watch some videos on that.
Dale
If you can get your hands on a Harbor Freight transmission jack, it makes the job SO much easier, especially putting the trans back in.
https://www.harborfreight.com/450-lb...nsmission+jack
The ratchet strap is kind of overkill, I removed it on mine and cut the wings off that it attached to. Also is a big help to have 2 people doing the job.
Once you get the trans down, get the jack out from under it and you can scoot it out from beneath the car.
The FD is not a bad car to do a clutch job on all things considered. Do make sure you understand the push style clutch, watch some videos on that.
Dale
#7
gross polluter
iTrader: (2)
Transmission jack is great but if you don't have one it really isn't too bad to balance it on a regular jack and have somebody else work the jack while you guide it in and hold it from falling. You can also bench press but it gets heavy really fast if you don't successfully stab it right away.
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#12
RX-7 Bad Ass
iTrader: (55)
I've done the "floor jack and a board" method for ages and also the "two or three guys bench pressing it" method for transmission install. First time I used the trans jack it was amazing - being able to carefully and perfectly line the transmission up and slide it home without fighting it is huge.
If you will only be doing it once in the next 10 years I don't know if it's worth buying the transmission jack - just man up and fight that dude into place.
BTW, doing this job on a lift with a proper trans jack for a lift and air tools is HEAVEN. I can do a clutch job in 2 hours on a lift.
Dale
If you will only be doing it once in the next 10 years I don't know if it's worth buying the transmission jack - just man up and fight that dude into place.
BTW, doing this job on a lift with a proper trans jack for a lift and air tools is HEAVEN. I can do a clutch job in 2 hours on a lift.
Dale
#13
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
I've done the "floor jack and a board" method for ages and also the "two or three guys bench pressing it" method for transmission install. First time I used the trans jack it was amazing - being able to carefully and perfectly line the transmission up and slide it home without fighting it is huge.
If you will only be doing it once in the next 10 years I don't know if it's worth buying the transmission jack - just man up and fight that dude into place.
BTW, doing this job on a lift with a proper trans jack for a lift and air tools is HEAVEN. I can do a clutch job in 2 hours on a lift.
Dale
If you will only be doing it once in the next 10 years I don't know if it's worth buying the transmission jack - just man up and fight that dude into place.
BTW, doing this job on a lift with a proper trans jack for a lift and air tools is HEAVEN. I can do a clutch job in 2 hours on a lift.
Dale
Agreed. I'd kill for a lift and air tools for my upcoming five speed swap. Going to dread climbing under the car. But at least with a five speed swap, most of the manual driveline components that would be old and worn are going to be new and fresh, so...less work/potential for things to break later.
#15
Full Member
iTrader: (4)
Agreed. I'd kill for a lift and air tools for my upcoming five speed swap. Going to dread climbing under the car. But at least with a five speed swap, most of the manual driveline components that would be old and worn are going to be new and fresh, so...less work/potential for things to break later.
#16
half ass 2 or whole ass 1
iTrader: (114)
the trans can 100% be removed from under the car with normal jack stands. it what i do in the garage every 6 months just because. the car doesnt need to be that high. once you drop the trans you slide it out tail end first then he bellhousing part is slid from under the car through the driver wheel well. i use a piece of cardboard under it to help drag it along the floor. im using the normal short jack stands from walmart. the orange 2 ton ones.
also, the trans isnt so heavy that one man cant drop it while laying on his back. i pull it out slowly, lay it on my chest and then do a sort of roll off. it will be on its side. i come out, roll it on its bottom and then remove it like i mentioned above. if try and just pull it straight out then yes, the car will need to be as high as the bellhousing..... which is really high. this is as high as the car needs to be to remove or install the trans.
also, the trans isnt so heavy that one man cant drop it while laying on his back. i pull it out slowly, lay it on my chest and then do a sort of roll off. it will be on its side. i come out, roll it on its bottom and then remove it like i mentioned above. if try and just pull it straight out then yes, the car will need to be as high as the bellhousing..... which is really high. this is as high as the car needs to be to remove or install the trans.
#18
For the pull-style clutch, it looks like what you need to do is remove the two access port covers, and use your hands or a screwdriver to push the ring in all the way on all sides, and then pry the release bearing off in the opposite direction? So this is something you do all at once, and once the bearing has been pulled back, you are free to pull the bellhousing/tranny off?
Last edited by mkd; 12-23-19 at 01:47 AM. Reason: spelling
#19
half ass 2 or whole ass 1
iTrader: (114)
you only need to do it from the 1 access cover on the bottom. push it in on the left and then on the right. you will flatten the ring in 2 or 3 stages. using a pry bar works the best since you can push on the ring and the fork at the same time. once the ring seats, the fork will just release itself... once the clip is disengaged then yes, pull the trans off.
#20
you only need to do it from the 1 access cover on the bottom. push it in on the left and then on the right. you will flatten the ring in 2 or 3 stages. using a pry bar works the best since you can push on the ring and the fork at the same time. once the ring seats, the fork will just release itself... once the clip is disengaged then yes, pull the trans off.
#21
half ass 2 or whole ass 1
iTrader: (114)
use the clutch alignment tool if you removed the clutch...
small amount of grease on the splines..
make sure the motor is level or leaned back..
you do NOT need to force the trans in. it will just slide in with minimal effort. if you are fighting it then something is wrong. stop and figure it out before you hurt anything
small amount of grease on the splines..
make sure the motor is level or leaned back..
you do NOT need to force the trans in. it will just slide in with minimal effort. if you are fighting it then something is wrong. stop and figure it out before you hurt anything
#23
Should I re-use it? I have a new bearing and the Atkins tool, but the current one, while being 26 years old, only has 30K miles. I’m tempted to not fix something that is not broken, especially since I’ve heard a lot of people bitch about it being a pain.
#25
For those in the future, the Harbor Freight jack is 7" high, the tranny total height in the front is 13" (20" total on jack)
I had my stands adjusted to 21" high, and the tranny rolled out from under the frame rail perfectly.
I had my stands adjusted to 21" high, and the tranny rolled out from under the frame rail perfectly.
Last edited by mkd; 12-24-19 at 03:43 PM.