Transmission Jack questions
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Edgewood Maryland
Transmission Jack questions
I'm working on my first clutch swap in my vette, and when taking out the rear-end, I'm wondering if an ATV/motorcycle lift would work instead of a transmission jack.
I can get:
Transmission jack for about $100 (rated to 450 lbs)
Transmission jack for about $180 (rated to 800 lbs)
ATV/motorcycle lift for about $80 (rated to 1500 lbs)
I'm not sure that they 450 lbs jack will be good enough to support everything, and I dont really want to spend almost $200 on a jack that I will rarely use. I would be able to get more use out of an ATV jack, so I'm kinda leaning that way.
Has anyone own an ATV/motorcycle jack, and have you used it for a clutch swap? Does it go low enough to get the rear-end out from underneath the car? Does it roll ok with a load on it?
Any help is appreciated
Thanks!
EDIT ------------- Here is a picture of the jack that I'm thinking of using. I found a used one locally, and may be able to get it for around $50.
I can get:
Transmission jack for about $100 (rated to 450 lbs)
Transmission jack for about $180 (rated to 800 lbs)
ATV/motorcycle lift for about $80 (rated to 1500 lbs)
I'm not sure that they 450 lbs jack will be good enough to support everything, and I dont really want to spend almost $200 on a jack that I will rarely use. I would be able to get more use out of an ATV jack, so I'm kinda leaning that way.
Has anyone own an ATV/motorcycle jack, and have you used it for a clutch swap? Does it go low enough to get the rear-end out from underneath the car? Does it roll ok with a load on it?
Any help is appreciated
Thanks!
EDIT ------------- Here is a picture of the jack that I'm thinking of using. I found a used one locally, and may be able to get it for around $50.
Last edited by DVLDAWG; Jul 23, 2007 at 10:22 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
If it has enough height to reach the tranny with the car on jackstands, seems like you could make it work. I'd give it a shot if that's the route I was going to take.
Here's the tranny jack we used to pull a buddy's drivetrain a while back and a series of pages showing how we did it.
http://redshift.homestead.com/Drivetrain1.html
Here's the one I bought recently to pull the drive train on my wife's C5 and the thread for that project.
Here's the tranny jack we used to pull a buddy's drivetrain a while back and a series of pages showing how we did it.
http://redshift.homestead.com/Drivetrain1.html
Here's the one I bought recently to pull the drive train on my wife's C5 and the thread for that project.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
You'd probably want to come up with a manner of securing the transmission to the jack "just in case".
I know there is a transmission jack/axle jack adapter that mounts to the top of a regular floor jack available through several sources. That might provide more lift. This one is only $50...
I have an inexpensive version (HARBOR FREIGHT) of the second image that Patches posted. I've removed transmissions and rear axles my myself with it (not C5/Z06 though). Those ears and chain really stabilize the load, plus there are adjusting tilt *****. It's paid for itself.
Have you checked with rental stores?
I know there is a transmission jack/axle jack adapter that mounts to the top of a regular floor jack available through several sources. That might provide more lift. This one is only $50...
I have an inexpensive version (HARBOR FREIGHT) of the second image that Patches posted. I've removed transmissions and rear axles my myself with it (not C5/Z06 though). Those ears and chain really stabilize the load, plus there are adjusting tilt *****. It's paid for itself.
Have you checked with rental stores?
Last edited by hotwheels57; Jul 23, 2007 at 08:02 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
I've used a floor jack to pull out automatic and rearend out of a customers C5 Vette many of time, to many times. Trans and rearend together all at once and didn't have no problems. The only problem is going back with the stuff it seems I am not that big of a guy and I don't weight bench but other that, I getter done all the billions of times I had to pull this trans and rearend out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,803
Likes: 358
From: Northville, MI
Harbor Freight has a trans jack that works well if you are using Jack stands. If you have the car on a lift, then you need a floor model. The HF sells for 50-60 dollars. By the way, the hardest part in the removal process is the quick disconnect of the hydraulic clutch. When you get to that point, get the white plastic separator as far into the QD as possible and then use two small screwdrivers and push them further down on each side.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Edgewood Maryland
Harbor Freight has a trans jack that works well if you are using Jack stands. If you have the car on a lift, then you need a floor model. The HF sells for 50-60 dollars. By the way, the hardest part in the removal process is the quick disconnect of the hydraulic clutch. When you get to that point, get the white plastic separator as far into the QD as possible and then use two small screwdrivers and push them further down on each side.
Thanks for the heads-up on that. I'm actually planning on using the tool that Dope used for his install (I'm using his directions as a guide).
As for the jack, I've decided to go with the Sears ATV jack (picture below). On sale for $149, rated to 1500 lbs, and with the wide base, it shoudl be pretty stable. I'll also be able to use it for other stuff too - not just for a transmission swap (I dont do too many of those
). I will make sure that I tie it down with some straps to make sure it doesnt shift.Thanks for all the input everyone!!!
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 327
Likes: 0
From: Metamora IL
I got 2 of the HF scissor jacks to hold tranny and diff steady. Its very stable and adjustable. I actually did the job done by myself it did such a good job. You dont want to risk the trans etc wobbling off and falling.
Plus it was like $100 for both (find a friend w a coupon)
Plus it was like $100 for both (find a friend w a coupon)
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Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
If you don't have a brace on your tranny, it would be easier to pull the tranny and the differential off the torque tube and the pull the torque tube by itself.
I just got done doing this with my automatic tranny when I was converting to a stick shift.
I just got done doing this with my automatic tranny when I was converting to a stick shift.
