transmission drop, easy right?

[canadian booster]

i gotta drop the transmission, can't be that hard right? I checked out the FSM , seems pretty straight forward, anything to watch out for? anything i should be doing while the transmission is out at the same time?

[nissanfreak12]

The transmission is heavy if you are not using a trans jack. Make sure it is straight when coming out, I have always used a jack on the rear section and muscled it by the bell housing.

Things to replace, RMS, KS, KS Harness, throw out bearing/clutch if needed, rear coolant line for turbo. I know I am missing a few more.

[WhiTTe Z]

Ummm if you have a lift, air tools, and a transmission jack... then yes, it is easy.

If you don't have all of those things, then it is a b**** and will take you at least an entire day and will not be fun.

Rear main seal/retainer plate is a must to replace. Also downpipes if you don't already have them.

[aroche25]

Any tips on dropping it? Im also about to do this for a new clutch and a rear main seal leak.

[t.mcginley.jr]

Looks like I'm buying a trans jack when I go to do mine. I've heard the bolts on the top of the bellhousing are the hardest to get out.

[itsa300zx]

I use a 36" extension for the top bolts. If no lift, you have to jack the car up quite a bit to pull the transmission from under the car though. I just used a regular floor jack with a few straps to unload the transmission. The key is to find the center balance of the transmission, which is about 4-8" behind were the bell housing ends.

[aroche25]

How high does the car need to be lifted? because im not sure if my jack or even stands go high enough.

[canadian booster]

I was wondering that myself

[nissanfreak12]

If you want to pull the transmission out from under the car, the 3ton stands are not high enough I had to get the 6ton ones to get it high enough. If you are just trying to work on it like change clutch and little things, you can push it far enough out of the way when its underneath the car. If you are not using a trans jack, it will be a PIA, but it is possible. I used a jack and jack the end of the trans as high as possible, keep a hand on the trans so it will not roll off the jack. Once it is high enough go up by the bell housing and muscle it up. It does make it easier, but it is still very heavy.

It is very helpful having a second person there mainly to jack the transmission up while you hold and lift the transmission. The transmission needs to be relatively straight to stab it in the engine. Just be patient and VERY careful, I have yet to have one fall on me, but have had a lot of close calls.

[itsa300zx]

I was able to pull the transmission out on my low profile jack with my 3 Ton stands at the max height. Just barely though. Like others have said, just slide it back to get enough room for maintenance stuff. The transmission tunnel also helps to keep the transmission from falling sideways. It can only go straight back or straight down once the input shaft is pulled.