420A Dropping trans from the bottom

[BLACK'98DSM]

I'm removing my 5 speed soon for a rebuild and a new clutch. I was wondering if I can remove it from underneath the car. I just don't know if there is enough space in the bay the separate it from the engine.

To be clear: I do not want to pull the engine again. There is no need. I only need to work on the transmission. It is a manual transmission. Can I remove it without removing the engine?

 

[rabenne]

I am not positive, but generally FWD transverse trannies do come out easily from the bottom.

 

[rabenne]

ShopKey Pro says drop it from the bottom.

 

[AWD-Tony]

My 2g awd was from the bottom so you shouldn’t have an issue

 

[Kai Hefner]

I'm removing my 5 speed soon for a rebuild and a new clutch. I was wondering if I can remove it from underneath the car. I just don't know if there is enough space in the bay the separate it from the engine.

That's typically how it's done. Make sure you have a jack or something to let it down slowly, you don't want to just drop your trans on the ground. Either that, or get ready to bench-press your trans.

 

[rabenne]

those little FWD trannies can be removed by hand. I did it several times on my GST back in the day. The 420a trans cant be much heavier, if at all.

You will probably need to support the engine while the trans is out. Just be careful and lift from a spot that wont collapse (like the oil pan).

 

[silvreclips]

Yes they do come out from the bottom. It is a huge pain if you dont have a lift. Let me put it this way, if I need to take the trans out, I pull the motor first because I hate fighting the trans.

 

[Bleakley]

5-speed would be a joke.
The autos can be a fooking doosh. Lol.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

you don't want to just drop your trans on the ground.

I don't plan on it

 

[rabenne]

Yes they do come out from the bottom. It is a huge pain if you dont have a lift. Let me put it this way, if I need to take the trans out, I pull the motor first because I hate fighting the trans.

Can you pull the motor and trans together on the 420a cars like you can on FWD 4g63s?

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Can you pull the motor and trans together on the 420a cars like you can on FWD 4g63s?

Yes. That's what I'm avoiding though.

 

[rabenne]

May I ask why you are trying to avoid it? If @silvreclips says hes pulling the engine out first anyway. Why not just pull them together?

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

@rabenne
- I removed my hoist adapter, so I have to remove some header bolts to put it back on.
- I hate unplugging everything
- I don't want to waste my coolant
- I don't want to beat up my engine bay any more than it already is
- I don't want to remove my downpipe AGAIN
- The engine is in good condition, only the trans needs work
- I absolutely HATE that upper engine mount removal process

Shall I go on? It may sound cheap or lazy, but seriously. Why do extra work when you don't have to?

 

[rabenne]

I would say you do extra work when it makes the work you are doing significantly less difficult. Those are all valid concerns, so I get your line of thinking either way. In the past I have always aimed for the simplest service instead of the fastest. Sometimes the additional difficulty makes it not-so-fast anyway. Curious to hear what you decide.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Anybody know how much the trans weighs? I might not have to use a jack, it's small enough I bet I could just use my arms.

 

[Dhan]

The 1g AWD 5-speed transmission is about 125-135 pounds drained, so I imagine the 420A trans is about the same. I've removed the transmission from my car probably 12 or 13 times now. That's over the course of a few years and for various reasons- clutch issues, transmission swap, destroyed a synchro, etc.

I've gone from the bottom and used a floor jack and muscle every time. Once I used an engine hoist to lift it, but still came in through the bottom. I balance the trans on the floor jack, lift it so it's level with the motor, and then lift it a couple inches onto the crank by hand. I'm 6'1 but only 170lb, so if my shrimp muscles can do it, I think most others won't have a problem
It's definitely a bi*** if you're doing it alone. Feel lucky you don't have to deal with a transfer case though.

 

[silvreclips]

The hardest part is rolling the trans in to get the diff above the subframe. I normally just muscle it around until it goes in. It's not impossible but can be difficult and frustrating. Good luck with it.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

I'll most likely invite a set of helping hands. While I'm at it I might as well replace everything. Thanks for the info guys. I'll get started whenever I find time.

 

[luv2rallye]

Tip: This is for the 4g63 but I think the 420A is the same:
You don't have to remove the axles from the hubs at all or remove any ball joints! https://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/pulling-transmission-tomorrow.316646/#post-151688536

And a cheap tranny jack:
https://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/trick-to-getting-awd-trans-reinstalled.341904/#post-151918162

 

[EVLGSX]

I like to have a helper around once everything is unhooked or when its time to stuff it back in.

I set them up over the top with a chain bolted to the mount location and have them lift up on the chain just to assist with the weight of the unit as I manipulate it into place from underneath. An engine lift is not as effective as it doesnt respond to every word you say like a helper would.

This makes it 100% easier to handle.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

My transmission mount is trashed too. Do I have to remove anything else to get to it, or should I just be able to access it once the trans is out?

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

I'm talking about the upper one. I never had to remove it before, and the PO left the bolts out of it so it didn't work anyway.

 

[silvreclips]

The trans has 3 mounts, all will need to come off to remove the trans. I think I even take the engine mount off and hang the motor from the lift so I can move it where I need to.

 

[Brembo]

The trans has 3 mounts, all will need to come off to remove the trans. I think I even take the engine mount off and hang the motor from the lift so I can move it where I need to.

I just thought it was funny. You think you took the engine mount off to hang the motor or You did? Personally I have never done a 420a trans but normally one would drop the subframe and support the engine and the rack and remove everything that attaches to the trans. That's normally. But I guess people do with subframe still in the car. I could never understand why. It's only few bolts and life is so much simpler.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

I just thought it was funny. You think you took the engine mount off to hang the motor or You did? Personally I have never done a 420a trans but normally one would drop the subframe and support the engine and the rack and remove everything that attaches to the trans. That's normally. But I guess people do with subframe still in the car. I could never understand why. It's only few bolts and life is so much simpler.

I'm only pulling the trans though. If I needed the engine and trans both out I might consider pulling the whole subframe, but there is no need for that.