97PKIMVQ

iTrader: (2)

Ok so I picked up a Maxima today

Clutch was slipping so I ordered a clutch ahead of time and starting working on it today. I got everything done correctly except the TRANNY WON'T SEPARATE FROM THE ENGINE!!! What am I doing wrong? its separating a little but it feels like something is still attached to it holding it together towards the rear (firewall). I got all the tranny bolts out including the one that's impossible to do which is on the shift linkage.

sigh.

I'm all out of ideas and beat for the day. I'm going to give it another shot starting 2morrow but wow... just can't get it to come apart.

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

Well, you either got all of the bolts or you didn't. If it isn't seperating from the engine, then you likely didn't. You can also try prying the trans away from the motor (it would be hard for you to break something with moderate pressure), it might just be the dowels sticking.

You do have the mount removed completely, right? Both axles out?

So you got all 10 bellhousing-block bolts? Including the one that's covered by the starter on the top? The one above the passenger side axle seal?

96blkonblkse

iTrader: (18)

Make sure you unbolt the tranny mount..i completely unbolted it from the body and the tranny to make things easier. The shift linkage bolt is a PITA, but a offset box end wrench works wonders.

Most of the time its the mount that gets in the way, i just completely took it out and solves most of the problems. As previously stated, it has to be pulled out straight out away from the car, if its at any sort of angle, it wont come out without wrecking something.

Also another thing. Be careful re-installing it, dont let the weight of the tranny rest on the input shaft if you cant get it lined up initially. Ive seen pressure plate fingers bend and cause the clutch issues. More so on RWD tranny's but ive seen it on FWD configurations too!

P.S Quickly sand the mating surface on the block and tranny housing where it meets the block to avoid any starting issues down the road. Trust me on this, i forgot to when i did my engine, and i had to seperate my tranny again to sand it because i was having starter issues.

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

What I love about the A32 is not having to lower the engine at all to get a trans on or off, unlike most other cars (also no subframe crap to deal with).

Here's the ghettofab way I used when I installed my trans by myself:


I could've just lifted it up and placed it on the motor, but this is so much easier, especially for getting the input shaft splines lined up, and the dowels on the block lined up. No sitting there with your arms getting tired, able to stop and tend to something else at a moment's notice, etc. Ratchet strap and pry bar FTW.

Though it will go quicker with two people, especially the auto or the RS6F51H (both a bit heavier than the 5MT). One to basically bench press the trans from underneath, the other to help line it up and get a few bolts started. Doing it like that, Merlyn and I can get a trans up and fully bolted up in maybe 10 minutes.

And as 96blkonblkse you definitely want to clean up the mating surfaces, if you don't you'll be cursing yourself.

guygti22

get a prybar. is it one of those clutches that lock the throwout bearing in place?? try disengaging clutch while your prying. does sound like dowel pins are crooked or something though

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

No, we don't have a pull type clutch like that.

That's pretty much all it is, either bolts or dowels.

97PKIMVQ

iTrader: (2)

i just woke up... thanks for all the advice. I'm going to go at it again in a little.

Most of the write ups only show the drivers side axle being taken out. Does the passanger side have to come out as well?

97PKIMVQ

iTrader: (2)

oh yeah .... I think there is one more bolt. The one that is to the right near the y-pipe. Is there a way to reach that bolt w/o removing the y-pipe. I can't reach that at all.

MaximaSpd85

iTrader: (14)

if its the one im remembering, grab a couple of extensions and go over the exhaust and the x-member. its the one right next to the near impossible one right?

Nealoc187

iTrader: (23)

passenger side axle does not have to come out. some people think it's easier to take it out (easier to make sure you don't ruin the axle seal) but I've done it both ways. no you don't have to remove the y-pipe either, I've never removed it.

Blackwind

iTrader: (9)

gotta agree with this one.

97PKIMVQ

iTrader: (2)

the near impossible "shift linkage" above that there seems to be even a MORE IMPOSSIBLE to reach bolt. HOW DO YOU REMOVE THAT PIECE OF ****!!!! AAHHHH!!!!!

the 3 o clock position bolt... i can't get to it unless i remove the y-pipe is there a tool that i don't know about ...lol im out of ideas. help me maxspd

Blackwind

iTrader: (9)

use all of your extensions and sit in the passenger sode wheel well, you will have direct line of site to the bolt.

97PKIMVQ

iTrader: (2)

really??? from the passanger side? ok ... time for that wheel to come off. Thanks Blackwind... I'll give that a shot.

*edit

wait from the passanger side wouldn't it be all engine from that side? or like you said ... i will still have a clear line of sight to that bolt? just double checking...

dgeesaman

iTrader: (10)

You will see it. You'll be looking behind the engine, just above the power steering rack.

Dave

Blackwind

iTrader: (9)

yep trust me. its gonna be a tight fit,arm space wise, but thats how you get to it. IF you need the extra room remove the suspension.

B_Eaze

iTrader: (3)

So whats the verdict?

f550maranello2

iTrader: (2)

use a big *** prybar and give it hell... the worse thing thats gonna happen is the trans is gonna fall on you...

i got this thing down to a science.. i get my broski and he holds the top where starter hole is and i pry the crap out of the trans till it breaks free..


to install it i bench press the bish back in... as somebody starts one of the bolts..


i just did a jetta the same way 2 weeks ago..

97PKIMVQ

iTrader: (2)

Ok 1 AM IM DONE!!!!

Thank You all... I got the tranny out PAIN IN THE ***!!! The passanger side axle was stopping the tranny from dropping out but with a little bit of muscle it took care of that...

Installing the tranny... WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean WOOOWWWW!!!! took me like a good hour+ but after benchpressing the tranny it went ok...

After doing everything... sadly to say, I have a CEL! I didn't pull the code but I don't know why I got the CEL. I'm assuming its something to do with a sensor that wasn't plugged in correctly or something.

All in all... The job is not that hard... just very exhausting. Saved me about 300+ in labor so im satisfied.

Thanks everyone.

wirelessdude04

iTrader: (24)

haha glad you got it out......Now remember for next time maybe lol

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

Wow... 4 g trannies were never that bad for me... *shrug*

Guess it's all relative. Once you've done a few civics and Sentras, the Maxima tranny is cake.

QNO_A32

iTrader: (7)

I agree ^ .

$20 says its teh VSS...

95max327

iTrader: (-1)

+1 for prybar =)