I'm methodicly following cmnsnse's excellent transmission removal guide ( link ). I have lowered the subframe and removed all the transmission bolts and wiring harnesses -- I've triple checked that I got them all, and was checking them off as I went through the printed instructions.

I cannot, for the life of me, get the transmission to release from the motor. I've been fighting with it for about 2 hours and haven't made any progress. I have lifted, wiggled, lowered, and shook the transmission with no success. I'm wiped out and close to calling it a night, but thought I would ask if anyone knows any tricks for getting the tranny loose from the motor. Thanks in advance!

 

Did you pull out the release fork? Other than this, I can only suggest that you've forgotten a bolt or 2 somewhere.

 

[QUOTE=xviper,Nov 5 2005, 10:00 PM] Did you pull out the release fork?

 

Well, I'm stumped. We have to simply believe you got them all. Maybe the tranny to engine mating surface is just stuck, like how bolts get stuck onto what they're touching. Perhaps you need to give it a good "jar".

 

Looks like I removed the lower starter bolt instead of the upper.



Something tells me that getting the upper bolt now that I've already got the motor lowered is going to be a b!tch. It should be to the left of that ground cable in the center, yes?

 

Getting the upper starter bolt out is a PITA no matter what. You can see the head of the bolt by looking between the intake manifold runners.

Put the lower starter bolt back in 1st. Then you won't have to fight lining up both starter bolts later.

 

Take out the alternator. It makes accessing the upper starter bolt much easier. The bolt has orange paint on it. Use a 14mm swivel and a long extension to loosen it, but do not take it all the way out. Let it rest in the starter.

 

I bet he's allready got the alternator out, otherwise he couldn't have taken the picture.

 

Sorry, I wasn't looking closely at the pictures.

 

Yep. Although not entirely out, the alt is out of the way. I fed an 11-inch extension + universal joint + 14mm in, then placed it on the bolt by feel from underneeth. Another 11-inch extension + breaker bar and I was in business. The tranny popped free much easier with that guy out, or so I though. Movement has stopped at about a 1/2 inch gap, no matter how much I shake the darn thing. My arms are dead, so I've got it braced with jack stands, and I'll pick it back up tomorrow.