Engine overhaul help

[1Gina2G]

I've decided I need to pull my engine block out from the engine bay, was hoping to get some oppions on this before I do anything.

This is a 2G with an AWD manual transmission, so it has a halfshalf and an itermediate shaft that powers the font axles, and the transfercase for your rear axles.

I wanted to just pull the block out with the transmission, but I'm not sure how hard both of those shafts will be to take out, and put back in - Although these are brand new shafts that I had a shop install, so there not old at all so no rust, but I still don't know how hard it will be to seperate the shafts.

Or maybe the better way would be to try to seperate the transmission from the engine block and pull just the block out whitch is the only thing I need out of the car?

 

[bryanwheat]

If you can pull and install an engine than you can easily install an axle. The driver side is super easy, remove the axle nut, pop the upper ball joint loose, unbolt the axle carrier from the block, pull axle from spindle, than slide the axle out. On the driver side it is the same, but there is no carrier, you just need to pop the axle out with a pry bar or a chisel and hammer.

 

[Boostinsideways]

If it is a fresh install the should slide out pretty easy. I don't have new ones, but I had my engine out about 3 months ago, when I pulled it again for some more work the slide out fine.

 

[1Gina2G]

I read on here where someone only took out one of the shafts but didn't say which one. probably the longer intermediate shaft I'm guessing, or should I take both out?

 

[WES_393]

The passenger side axle will be a PITA because it has a circlip that locks it in. I used a very skinny punch and a mallet to knock the shaft out from the hole where the driver side axle came out. Be careful not to hurt the seals or the internals of the trans.

As for pulling the block, your going to want the engine and trans out together. Secure the engine closer to the timing belt than the trans so everything will come out at a good angle.

Quick edit: You wil need to pull both front axles and the driveshaft in order to pull the engine and trans.

 

[1Gina2G]

so you just hit the shafts with a rubber mallet, away from the transmission? can you just disconnect the shafts just so they're out the trans. or is there more thing's to do with the shafts after you disconnect them?

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

so you just hit the shafts with a rubber mallet, away from the transmission? can you just disconnect the shafts just so they're out the trans. or is there more thing's to do with the shafts after you disconnect them?

I have always had better luck prying them out (away from the transmission) with a pry bar, as opposed to knocking them out. As long as you get them out of the transmission with enough clearance to pull everything out you are fine. As mentioned above though, to do this you will need to unbolt a few things. If you wiggle everything just right you should be able to get away with just unbolting the struts from the knuckles and pulling the axles enough out of the way. Of course you will also have to unbolt the two bolts securing the driver's side intermediate shaft to the block.

This should go without saying but since it sounds like it's your first time pulling the axels I will say it anyway. Remember to drain the transmission prior to pulling the axles or you will have a big mess on your hands.

 

[1Gina2G]

So do you think the circlip holding the passenger side shaft can be pulled out with some needle nose pliers?

And once you remove a shaft from either side, can you get to the other shaft by hitting it, from inside the trans? Are they in the same splindle of the transmission? or are the connections for both shafts not connected? Sorry if thats a little weird-worded, just trying to figure this out

I'm not sure if the prybar i have will work, i might need to pick up a new one.

does anything need to be unbolted on the passengers side shaft, or can i just take the pin out and disconnect it from the transmission?

and theres 2 places where the intermediate shaft bolts to the block, and I don't know what you mean by unbolting the struts from the knuckles? Is that at the trasmission end of the drivers side shaft or is the intermediate shaft a 2 part design?

Do I need to take both my wheels off to get to everything? Or atleast make it alot easier?

 

[Boostinsideways]

Both my axles have circlips on them... They come really easy. If you just had new axles installed just get under the car, un bolt the stuff that has already been mentioned, grab the cv join closest to the transmission, and just PULL, it will come out. You might have to pry with a large screw drive or something if its been a few months and no grease was used when they were installed.

Its really pretty easy except when your rocking the orginal equipment (as the ones put in the car at the factor) axles and they are stuck in the transmission real good, and seized in the hubs.

 

[bryanwheat]

Both my axles have circlips on them... They come really easy. If you just had new axles installed just get under the car, un bolt the stuff that has already been mentioned, grab the cv join closest to the transmission, and just PULL, it will come out. You might have to pry with a large screw drive or something if its been a few months and no grease was used when they were installed.

Its really pretty easy except when your rocking the orginal equipment (as the ones put in the car at the factor) axles and they are stuck in the transmission real good, and seized in the hubs.

If the circlip is the right one and locked into the diff than you can't just grab the axle and pull it out. If you can than you have a problem. They are meant to lock the axle in there so that it doesn't just slide out. It doesn't really matter how long they have been in there, it is all lubricated in there there is nothing to seize. The circlip will be just as hard to release if it's been in there for 10 years or 10 minutes.

 

[1Gina2G]

so how do you get to the clip I don't understand

 

[bryanwheat]

You don't get to it, it is on the end of the axle inside the transmission. It is an internal locking clip, it slides into a groove in the differential and locks. You just use a pry bar to pop the axle out which free's the clip from the differential.

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

So do you think the circlip holding the passenger side shaft can be pulled out with some needle nose pliers?

No. As mentioned, the clips are not removed. They come out with the axles.

And once you remove a shaft from either side, can you get to the other shaft by hitting it, from inside the trans? Are they in the same splindle of the transmission? or are the connections for both shafts not connected? Sorry if thats a little weird-worded, just trying to figure this out

They go into the differential, which is inside the transmission. No, you can not hit the second one after pulling the first one out.

I'm not sure if the prybar i have will work, i might need to pick up a new one.

A prybar, crowbar, or large screwdriver should all do the trick.

does anything need to be unbolted on the passengers side shaft, or can i just take the pin out and disconnect it from the transmission?

No pin to remove. You need to either remove the struts from the knuckles to give yourself room to get the axle out of the transmission, or you can remove the axle from the hub. Either way, you need to be able to slide the axle out of the transmission, and you won't be able to do that without moving something.

and theres 2 places where the intermediate shaft bolts to the block, and I don't know what you mean by unbolting the struts from the knuckles? Is that at the trasmission end of the drivers side shaft or is the intermediate shaft a 2 part design?

The knuckles/hubs are on the wheel side of the axle. I was suggesting that you unbolt them from the struts to allow yourself room to slide the axles out of the transmission.

Do I need to take both my wheels off to get to everything? Or atleast make it alot easier?

Yes. If you are pulling the engine and transmission, you need to remove both wheels.