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C Beam Removal Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,252
Likes: 6
From: The Colony Tx
C Beam Removal Question
I am in the process of changing the trans on my car and I am having trouble figuring out how to get the C Beam off. I have all the bolts out, able to move it forward far enough to take it off the rear housing. But I don't seem to have enough room to move it to the side to get it off the trans.
I'm sure it is not hard to do, but is the a 'trick' I am missing somewhere?
I am trying to drop the trans enough to get to the top bolts.
I'm sure it is not hard to do, but is the a 'trick' I am missing somewhere?
I am trying to drop the trans enough to get to the top bolts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
I push it back as far as it goes along side the diff ( off diff pad ) then slowly lower trans and beam together.
At some point you can push trans to one side and move ( hammer may be required ) beam forward
and rotate it around the side of the mount on the trans to drop it out
At some point you can push trans to one side and move ( hammer may be required ) beam forward
and rotate it around the side of the mount on the trans to drop it out
Last edited by rodj; Jan 15, 2012 at 07:03 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 0
From: Strongsville Ohio
I was in the same boat. A couple times I almost stopped because I thought there was no way. But take a couple breaks and come back. The c-beam will come out. I sat there for hours with a hammer hitting it back and forth. I did get it to a point where the trans and beam lowered enough together to come out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
Rodj mentioned the key here. Varying trans/engine height.
If you have a trans jack supporting the motor/trans you can easily vary height once you have it pushed back off to the side of the diff and off to the side of the trans. Drop the trans down and it just comes out. Install is similar. You can spend a lot of time lining up the bolts or use an impact gun to drive them up and through with it slightly misaligned.
If you have a trans jack supporting the motor/trans you can easily vary height once you have it pushed back off to the side of the diff and off to the side of the trans. Drop the trans down and it just comes out. Install is similar. You can spend a lot of time lining up the bolts or use an impact gun to drive them up and through with it slightly misaligned.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,252
Likes: 6
From: The Colony Tx
Thanks all for the replies. I started thinking last night and sort of decided that maybe the fact that I had put a jackstand under the engine to keep it from dropping down was causing me a problem. The only way I know of to get the top bolts out is to drop the trans enough to be able to get a socket/extension above the trans. Duh, if I don't give myself the ability to drop the engine then I can't get to the bolts.
It suprises me sometimes how 'good intensions' end up being a case of Dumb-*** when actually put into practice. I will go out later today and try again without the jackstand.
Again Thanks all.
It suprises me sometimes how 'good intensions' end up being a case of Dumb-*** when actually put into practice. I will go out later today and try again without the jackstand.
Again Thanks all.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
As has been stated, lower the tranny with a bottle jack and push the beam forward until it is off the diff, then slide it to the rear.
And buy or make yourself some of the C beam stiffener nut holders, you will never regret having them!
http://www.zfdoc.com/c4beamplate.htm
And buy or make yourself some of the C beam stiffener nut holders, you will never regret having them!
http://www.zfdoc.com/c4beamplate.htm
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,178
Likes: 5
From: Daleville Indiana
St. Jude Donor '08
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,252
Likes: 6
From: The Colony Tx
I moved the jack stand from the engine and dropped the trans down. Sure enough I was able to get the C beam out of the way and now my trans is sitting on the floor of the garage...Whoopie!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: KB7TIF Ville NV
