Trick to getting AWD trans reinstalled

[gsx-box]

Here is the scenario. I replaced the clutch, flywheel and pressure plate. No problem. However I can not get the awd trans back in place.

YES. I have the triangular piece off.

I swear that I am retarded or just getting old. I have been trying to get the AWD transmission back on after a clutch replacement and it is going on two weeks now with no success.

First I tried using using a floor jack to get the trans on and I was 90% there, but could not do the final alignment or get the bolts in. ( I did use a clutch alignment tool and have done 5-6 FWD turbo chrysler clutches before with zero problem)

Next I removed the cross support with the front motor mount (which shifted the motor back) got it 95% on, but because of engine position could not finish and trans fell off the jack several times.

Now I have an official transmission jack from a gas station. I secured the awd trans so that it wont move and now I can not position the trans to go up far enough without hitting something with either the diff or the front crossmember(attached to front mount).

How does evereryone else get their trans in. I am getting very frustrated.

Please provide advice as how to get it back on.

IF anybody lives near Hartford, CT and knows the trick to get it back on I will give them $50 for their trouble if they help me bolt it up.

 

[DSM_PWR]

Bench Press it



The single easiest way to do it ona 1g is to remove:
*Passenger Tire
*Axles
*Tranny Mount (both on the trannie and frame
*Front Crossmember

With an engine lift takes all but 5min but with a jack its more of a 2 person job since (1) has to make sure it doesnt tip over and 2nd person guides it into place

 

[hdoerr]

Bench Press it

A$$hole

 

[donniekak]

I laughed so hard when i first saw this vid because it's how i do it.

transinstall video by psshhwhat - Photobucket

 

[daren_p]

On my FWD the tranny was always hitting a part of the heavy cross member the steering rack and lower control arms bolt to, so I completely unbolted this member (already had arms off it) and pulled it back a couple inches. This was after many many hours of jostling it around every which way. I had had it by this time and so went to this last resort.

I've probably done about 10 removes/install on both fwd & awd trannies. Normally use two jacks & two people. I find most of the time the issue with not going in is as stated above, the front subframe seems to be in the way. Not sure if the engine just naturally move towards the firewall abit with the mounts removed or what. Instead of removing the subframe just ply the engine forward & place a block of wood between the block & the subframe, this will allow plenty of room to manover. Once I did this the second last tranny probably took 10min to install & the last tranny I did (blocked first) took maybe 5 min from first jacking to installing all the bolts.

 

[toofast82]

I laughed so hard when i first saw this vid because it's how i do it.

transinstall video by psshhwhat - Photobucket

Yeah, thats one way of doing it

I use a floorjack and line it up close then I pick it off the jack and push it in. I always leave it in neutral too.
This isn't that hard

 

[dblaron]

That video is awesome! Ive done a few th400's on my chest but that is not fun! One thing i ran into while doing a clutch on a honda was that the clutch disc they gave me in the set was the wrong spline. The alignment tool lined up but the tranny would not go back in. I took the pressure plate back off and tried the disc on the transmission shaft and to my surprise it did not slide on like it should.

Point of the story? Always try the disc on the tranny before bolting it all up to the flywheel, people make mistakes and parts get mixed up, even when new.

 

[gsx-box]

That video is awesome! Ive done a few th400's on my chest but that is not fun! One thing i ran into while doing a clutch on a honda was that the clutch disc they gave me in the set was the wrong spline. The alignment tool lined up but the tranny would not go back in. I took the pressure plate back off and tried the disc on the transmission shaft and to my surprise it did not slide on like it should.

Point of the story? Always try the disc on the tranny before bolting it all up to the flywheel, people make mistakes and parts get mixed up, even when new.

I checked that just to be sure since I had it up and over the pressure plate at one point but could not bolt it up. I checked the alignment tool on the installed clutch and the removed clutch (match) and rechecked the removed clutch with the splines.

I wonder now if the reason I could not bolt it up then was because the trans may not have been in neutral

 

[->PrOjEcTGS<-]

I use a ratchet strap around the trans to lift it up manually. Then rotate it into place. Never could get it to work right with a floor jack.

I might try the engine hoist next time though. Which is coming up this week.

 

[snakeyes711]

HAHA, the leg kicking is too funny! He got it though. I'll have to remember that.

 

[gorf]

Cherry picker or overhead crane or chain fall, remove the hood hang it so you can wiggle it and should be an easy job.

 

[rEclipserGST]

I laughed so hard when i first saw this vid because it's how i do it.

transinstall video by psshhwhat - Photobucket

Thats baller. Some things you have to do yourself, and that video is screaming "get er done"

 

[lacroixdp]

If you can't bench it a cherry picker is the way to do it solo.

 

[luv2rallye]

...just ply the engine forward & place a block of wood between the block & the subframe, this will allow plenty of room to manover.

Great idea

 

[gsx-box]

I finally got it in using a CHERRY PICKER aka engine hoist. It took me about ten minutes to get it on.
Of course I now have another problem, but I am going to start a new thread for that one.