Transmission Swap
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 131
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From: East Side Louisville KY
Transmission Swap
I've been meaning to write about this but haven't had time. I would like to thank my buddy Pete for the hard time he helped me put in removing and installing the new transmission. 2nd and 3rd never felt so awesome!
http://www.cajundude.com/differential.htm
http://redshift.homestead.com/drivetrain1.html
This step by step made it way easier than what we thought it was going to be. Thanks to whoever for these links.
Also, I'd like to thank RPM Transmission for their help. I called on a friday afternoon and they had me a m6 ready that following tuesday. They were knowledgeable and helped over the phone with a few Q's I had.
http://www.rpmtransmissions.com/
http://www.cajundude.com/differential.htm
http://redshift.homestead.com/drivetrain1.html
This step by step made it way easier than what we thought it was going to be. Thanks to whoever for these links.
Also, I'd like to thank RPM Transmission for their help. I called on a friday afternoon and they had me a m6 ready that following tuesday. They were knowledgeable and helped over the phone with a few Q's I had.
http://www.rpmtransmissions.com/
5th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Hah, I bet you didn't know I was registered here. Thanks for sending me the link to see what you wrote.
I would like to add a few things for the other members. The first link only goes as far as removing the rear, but not the transmission. We ended up unbolting the torque tube and removing the tranny and TT together, this would have gone more smooth if we had left the rear attached to the tranny. The output shaft of the transmission was rather lengthy and made the rear removal difficult with that brake control thingy in the way. We disconnected the rear passenger side brake line so we could move that brake module out of the way. On assembly, we put the TT, tranny, and rear in the car as one unit. This was much easier.
The directions said to "give the half shafts a good tug and they'll pop right out" We pulled and yanked and tugged on them to no avail. They felt like and sounded like they were held in place with "C" clips, this was not the case. The half shafts are held in the rear end by the geometry of the suspension and snap rings. With the suspension disconnected, whack on the wheel hub with a hammer and give them a SOLID YANK if they don't want to come out by just pulling on them. The snap rings are reusable, so just push it all together for the reinstall.
Davis told me that he read we needed some special tool to remove the hydraulic clutch line that plugs into the TT, this was not true. I took my time with a small flat head screwdriver and was able to work the plastic separator into the fitting and the two lines separated easily. Just be careful not to break the plastic, take your time.
Once everything was in, the car shifted great! Bleeding the clutch made a huge difference in clutch petal feel (yes, I've driven it)
BUT we had a problem with reverse. Shifting into reverse required two hands and a shoulder propped up against the door panel with the door shut. Davis made a call to RPM to see if that's the way it was supposed to be, of course it was not. They mentioned that we may have not plugged in the reverse lockout solenoid. This solenoid is designed to prevent accidentally shifting into reverse instead of 6th. It is also designed so that if it fails, you can overpower the spring with brute strength to get the car in reverse. Upon further inspection, we did not plug that in. Quick connect and the car is perfect, not bad for two drunk idiots right? Or was I the only one drinking... I forget.
Also, the original plan was to order parts and have a local tranny shop do the rebuild with us removing/installing the tranny. They wouldn't quote a price till after the tranny was apart to inspect for damage. Then they wanted $2,800 or something crazy for the job, said the counterbalance shaft was bent (not likely) We took the tranny back in a box, completely disassembled and left. RPM had no problem accepting that pile of gears as a core and even pulled a few sensors out of the box to put on the new tranny. Couple of stand up guys there.
All in all it wasn't a tough job. An impact wrench will save you a bunch of time, but not necessary. Other than that, just simple hand tools, beer, a few large sockets, and some beer, and you'll be enjoying a freshly rebuilt transmission in no time... when you sober up.
-Pete-
I would like to add a few things for the other members. The first link only goes as far as removing the rear, but not the transmission. We ended up unbolting the torque tube and removing the tranny and TT together, this would have gone more smooth if we had left the rear attached to the tranny. The output shaft of the transmission was rather lengthy and made the rear removal difficult with that brake control thingy in the way. We disconnected the rear passenger side brake line so we could move that brake module out of the way. On assembly, we put the TT, tranny, and rear in the car as one unit. This was much easier.
The directions said to "give the half shafts a good tug and they'll pop right out" We pulled and yanked and tugged on them to no avail. They felt like and sounded like they were held in place with "C" clips, this was not the case. The half shafts are held in the rear end by the geometry of the suspension and snap rings. With the suspension disconnected, whack on the wheel hub with a hammer and give them a SOLID YANK if they don't want to come out by just pulling on them. The snap rings are reusable, so just push it all together for the reinstall.
Davis told me that he read we needed some special tool to remove the hydraulic clutch line that plugs into the TT, this was not true. I took my time with a small flat head screwdriver and was able to work the plastic separator into the fitting and the two lines separated easily. Just be careful not to break the plastic, take your time.
Once everything was in, the car shifted great! Bleeding the clutch made a huge difference in clutch petal feel (yes, I've driven it)
BUT we had a problem with reverse. Shifting into reverse required two hands and a shoulder propped up against the door panel with the door shut. Davis made a call to RPM to see if that's the way it was supposed to be, of course it was not. They mentioned that we may have not plugged in the reverse lockout solenoid. This solenoid is designed to prevent accidentally shifting into reverse instead of 6th. It is also designed so that if it fails, you can overpower the spring with brute strength to get the car in reverse. Upon further inspection, we did not plug that in. Quick connect and the car is perfect, not bad for two drunk idiots right? Or was I the only one drinking... I forget.
Also, the original plan was to order parts and have a local tranny shop do the rebuild with us removing/installing the tranny. They wouldn't quote a price till after the tranny was apart to inspect for damage. Then they wanted $2,800 or something crazy for the job, said the counterbalance shaft was bent (not likely) We took the tranny back in a box, completely disassembled and left. RPM had no problem accepting that pile of gears as a core and even pulled a few sensors out of the box to put on the new tranny. Couple of stand up guys there.
All in all it wasn't a tough job. An impact wrench will save you a bunch of time, but not necessary. Other than that, just simple hand tools, beer, a few large sockets, and some beer, and you'll be enjoying a freshly rebuilt transmission in no time... when you sober up.
-Pete-
