Hi all Running out of time. Boys are doing a TT JDM Auto to Manual conversion tomorrow. Should I pull the gearbox and auto as one or split first? The most experienced three trusted, experienced, knowledgeable, Z mechanics here are telling me three different ways! Benefits of complete - don't have to worry about bellhousing and its faster? Disadvantages - have to drop crossmember and get wheel alignment Benefits of Split - don't have to worry about alignment Disadvantages - slower Anyone else got a different way - lol Thoughts? Leaning towards the split now............... :zlove:
You shouldn't need to drop the cross member. I managed to get engine and auto transmission with turbos attached out without too much trouble. I've read some people recommend disconnect the steering column though.
The fourth way - lol :rofl: I think I will try this to save time - I guess I will know once under there and assessing the differences in difficulty Appreciate the response I'll post back in the end Regards Jamie
Definitely concur with disconnecting the steering shaft but make sure you mark its position with a bit of paint before you do if it does not have the plastic locator. I'm seeing more and more of these coming through with them no longer in place. I used to always pull the engine and tranny together but now I do it all on the hoist I find its far easier and cleaner to split them. If you are not going to drop the cross member have a pry bar ready to help it over as it is a tight fit, especially with an auto. For the record I always used to drop it when pulling them out together but more so when its going back in. The car will still drive fine when you bolt it all back together and to correct the slight bit of wheel misalignment will cost you all of $50.
Shane01 was suggesting I may be able to get it out without removing steering shaft or cross member but had heard others doing it, to make it easier. (from the context I draw) Has been surprising to hear MungyZ, Chrispy, EastCoastZ, Shane01 and yourself each suggesting a different variant, so it appears that its so close in manoeuvring that it may even depend on different variants perhaps? I actually hate disconnecting the steering shafts! Sometimes they slide right out but other times they can be a nightmare to remove! Sounds like its so close to both the steering shaft and the cross member, that I will just have to wait to see, what needs to be done. Not overly worried about a re-alignment if its worthwhile for the ease of it. I look forward to seeing which way we go in the end - Ill post back Regards all Jamie P.S. Hey ROB260 - what do you think? LOL
ive done engine pulls three different way. engine only. simple enough, annoying doing little things like the bellhousing bolts but the actual engine pull is the simplest, straight in, straight out. with gearbox also pretty easy, but steering shaft can be in the way and getting the engine on the right angle can be fun as well, a lot of weight to be swinging around on a crane. but you can get clutches and gearbox bolts all done out of car together which is nice. tends to spill gearbox oils everywhere on removal from car though. messiest of the 3 options. frop from below if you have a hoist. only dont this once, and while it seems simple, there are alot of things that need undoing including steering, sway bars, abs sensors and more. but no rish of banging engine into firewall which is nice......
Some good feedback! I'm going to attempt the Engine and Box pull tomorrow (auto). I dont drain the oil's when pulling out. Just coolant.
I hate pulling gearboxes so much, pulling them out combined is my pick. Done the out the bottom before on a hoist and it was a bit annoying really. Good idea to drain the gearbox oil (well manual anyway), stops a disgusting stinky mess.
Cheers Jinxed! I got a response from MungyZ's of why you do it this way - and so this is the way I am heading! Cheers for the extra vote of confidence JC
I pull them out together and drop the steering shaft. Unless you have a hoist this is probably the easiest way.
Having done both I much prefer dropping the box, I usually use a hoist and trans lift though. if pulling together I'd recommend dropping the AC pump and alternator in addition to the steering column as it makes it much more straight forward to get up and out. I've only worked on manuals so not sure how much the auto changes things, I do like not having to drop the gearbox oil when you drop the box first.
Works for me too! (mofo rubber band - lol) :rofl: anyway.... We started late today and are most of the way through now. Under the Z for most of the day and.... I cannot imagine at all the Auto coming out complete, without a chassis drop, it looks so prohibitive in space that I would not even attempt it for the fear of wasting time. The manual is much smaller in circumference and also without the auto pan and so I would attempt it, if it currently had the manual but alas its an auto at the moment (conversion in progress) I think that's why some have suggested taking a different path to others in the end, I could also imagine other varaibles of models might make some changes (NA vs TT etc) but all is good now that Mungyz put me on the right path. I believe it was good solid advice for my engine removal. (JDM TT Auto) Thanks to all as well - all input very much was appreciated! Regards Jamie
Box off first for me. Can engine out and onto a stand in under 4 hours on Jack stands and the floor. Haven't needed to in a while as I have access to a hoist these days. Same job just a lot more pleasurable.
