Separating transmission from engine?

[Rymanrph]

This might sound like a stupid question, but how do I separate the transmission from the engine? I've already removed all the bellhousing bolts including the two reverse torx bolts, the starter and the transmission cross member and I can't get the thing to budge. I used a ratchet strap around the rear axle and still nothing? Is there something else I've missed?

[Geonovast]

There's a plate between the flywheel and motor, which is obviously behind the flywheel. There are two small bolts that attach that plate to the bellhousing. They go in through the front.

 

If you don't remove those, the trans won't pull back.

 

Did you remove the CPS?

 

Auto or Manual?

[Rymanrph]

There's a plate between the flywheel and motor, which is obviously behind the flywheel. There are two small bolts that attach that plate to the bellhousing. They go in through the front.

 

If you don't remove those, the trans won't pull back.

 

Did you remove the CPS?

 

Auto or Manual?

 

I'm having a hard time visualizing what you're saying. Can you give me an idea on the orientation of where these bolts are so I know where to look? I'm assuming the CPS is the the plug on the top left of the bellhousing with the two 11mm bolts (if so, then yes I removed it). Its a manual AX-15. Thanks for the help.

[jimoshel]

Remove the drive shaft? :rotf:

[Geonovast]

 

Also be careful when you're pulling that out, it's not hard to bend the fingers on the pressure plate.

[Rymanrph]

Based on that picture it looks like the two marked top plate, I don't have any bolts. From the transmission side of the bell housing, its just flush, but I can feel the holes coming from the engine side (no bolts though). Other than that, I've got the rest. I'm at a loss.

[jimoshel]

Sometimes the alignment bushings rust up and can be a bear to loosen. Make sure you've got ALL the bolts out. Sounds like you do but hey, only takes a minute to double check. If you don't you will take a chunk out of your bellhousing. Have something supporting the trans and the engine.When the trans comes out it will come out and down NOW without support.

1. Now laying on your back, kick the trans. Do this on both sides if necessary.

2.Take a jack and place it under the tailshaft. Jack it up. When the weight of the tranny is on the jack it should come loose. Again, as previously mentioned by Geonovast, be careful. You can mess up the pressure plate. Keep the tranny lined up with the engine as you come back with it.Once the input shaft is clear, then drop it to the floor.

[Wildman]

I pulled one BA10 that just would not come loose :fs1:

 

I could even spin it around, so I know all the bolts were out.

 

I ended up using a come-a-long from the tranny to the rear axle to "Pull" it free, the only thing I could think of was the input shaft got hung up on the pilot bearing :headpop:

 

And, yes, I had a tranny jack under it the whole time, so it was not the problem with it being misaligned with the engine.

[Rymanrph]

Where on the transmission did you attach the come along?

 

Anyone else have any ideas?

[Automan2164]

I am with Correy, its really easy the first go-round to miss those cover plate bolts.

 

Rob L.

[kastein]

Might need to jack up the back of the engine a little while pulling on the trans. The transmission can be held up all you want, but there will still be sideways pressure on the shaft if you don't also jack up the engine a bit since the mounts are well forward of its center of mass.

 

Shouldn't need much, stick the stock bottle jack under it, crank it up till it's in contact, yank on the trans, crank up a little more, etc till it pops out.

 

Also, did you disconnect the wiring harness(s) (including O2 sensors) and speedo/throttle valve/shift cables?

 

(clearly I am assuming you have the automatic... manual is a whole nother ballgame!)

[Geonovast]

(clearly I am assuming you have the automatic... manual is a whole nother ballgame!)

 

Auto or Manual?

 

Its a manual AX-15

[Rymanrph]

I am with Correy, its really easy the first go-round to miss those cover plate bolts.

 

Rob L.

 

Are you referring to what is marked as top plate on the diagram? I didn't remove any bolts from there, but best I can tell, there weren't any there to begin with.

[Automan2164]

Yeah. They are very common to miss. Last time I was at the junkyard, there were a couple guys struggling underneath an XJ, fighting the trans. I asked them if they had all the bolts out, and they said yes.

 

They forgot the plate bolts. They are little guys, and easily overlooked.

Rob L.

[Wildman]

Where on the transmission did you attach the come along?

 

Anyone else have any ideas?

 

 

Just looped the cable around the front of the transfer case, with the cable underneath, back to the axle, strap around the axle, and cranked the come-a-long from the axle end.

 

I'll agree with the 2 "sheet metal" screws from the front - to the dust plate/tranny.

 

Others have forgotten these, and you'll be surprised how much the dust plate behind the flywheel will hold the tranny in place :eek:

 

kastein wrote about keeping the engine and tranny somewhat level, or aligned, and that is required, if there to much out of alignment, that will give you a problem with pulling the input shaft thru the pilot bushing/clutch plate.

[kastein]

(clearly I am assuming you have the automatic... manual is a whole nother ballgame!)

 

Auto or Manual?

 

Its a manual AX-15

:doh: how the heck did I miss that?

 

Yeah... you have way less to disconnect.

[Geonovast]

Might be reaching here, but stupider things have happened... especially to myself.

 

You don't have the trans up so far that it's nested up against the firewall, do you?

 

You did remove the shifter, yes?

[Rymanrph]

Might be reaching here, but stupider things have happened... especially to myself.

 

You don't have the trans up so far that it's nested up against the firewall, do you?

 

You did remove the shifter, yes?

 

No to the first question and no the 2nd even though I know I need to do that (its not the problem, I already checked that). Should have already done that, but just haven't. I'm thinking I just don't have it level enough to pull out. Hopefully I can make some time tonight to look at it again.

[Rymanrph]

Well, I got it off. A friend came by and just man-handled it off. I was just afraid I still had something connected and was afraid of breaking something, but it just need some persuasion.

[Geonovast]

Usually how it goes.

 

Your pressure plate ok? Or were you replacing that?

[Rymanrph]

Usually how it goes.

 

Your pressure plate ok? Or were you replacing that?

 

I dropped my light and the bulb broke so I haven't had a good chance to look at it, but I figured if I was going to go through the trouble of replacing the transmission, I might as well. I got a new clutch kit from Advance Auto. I really want to get the new transmission in there, but now without the tranny in the way, its the perfect opportunity to finish up the patchwork on my floors and pressure wash and clean the rest of the underside.