transmission removal problem/question

[bumpermatic]

I'm working on a s13 manual hatchback, trying to remove the transmission. I have the driveshaft out, the shifter assembly out, and all the wiring harness connections to the transmission out. Now I'm at the point of getting the bolts connecting to the gusset/engine. I can't figure out how in the world to get to the top bolt at the top of the transmission. All the writeups on the net say, 'unbolt transmission' which doesn't help me out.

Anyone have any ideas? Could I undo the transmission crossmember and let it drop down so I can get to it without damaging anything? Also, I read I'm suppose to remove the starter before unbolting the transmission, and I can't see anyway to remove it either, so can someone chime in? Thanks in advance.

[xjon]

I used universal joints on the sockets to go around some corners. Yes, you can unbolt the transmission x-member but remember to support it with a jack securely! The starter is held on there by transmission bolts so if you have removed all the bolts you can just pull it out. Also putting on the transmission, you have to jack the front of the engine up to tilt the rear down to help you bolt the transmission back on.

good luck

[gunclap]

jack the front of the engine up??? i never did that when i took my transmission out. if you loosened the transmission bolts without jacking the engine up, then why would you have to jack the engine up to put the bolts back on? it wont just drop when you get the bolts out...you have to rotate the transmission 180*, then bring it down.

[xjon]

dropping the transmission requires just a shimy shake and its out. But my S13 when i tried to mount the transmission again it was like the transmission swelled. I couldn't get the holes to align. I mean not even in the ball park. I just found out from another post/thread that trick to place a jack on the front of the engine.

I know I didn't have to rotate the transmission 180*. I place a jack under the transmission then a friend went on one side and I on the other, pushed pulled a few times to the side and back and out it came.

BTW my friend had to work so I ended up by getting it towed to a shop to have them bolt it on. $150 and embarassment.

[TachyonS14]

I found the transmission VERY easy to get out if you jack the car up, and put a floor jack under the oil pan with a block of wood in between so you don't dent the pan. Then, take out the motor mounts and let the jack down a little. This way the engine and transmission will be lower. Now, those top pesky bolts on the bell housing are SO easy to get to now. If you are not good with cars, I don't recommend this because you have to check all your lines up top so when you lower the engine, you don't stretch or rip anything. So, If you do it my way be VERY careful. When you lower the engine a few inches the only thing I can remember that will get caught Is the radiator fan. Make sure you pop It out of the shroud.

[DGA]

Support your trans. with a jack. Undo the trans. mounts let it drop as far as you can without breaking something. Your biggest worry at this point will be poping the shroud on the radiator so that your fan can move upward. At this point you are able to reach all the bolts. Before you take the trans. out support the front of the engine with another jack, just like "TachyonS14" said, and you should not have any problems with taking the transmission out or putting it back on.