I just cannot tighten down the driver side 27mm bolt because the auto tranny is in the way. Is there a special way to get in there? I've tried using the 27mm socket and vicegrips; I can get it on no problem but it would only tighten so far before slipping. Any advice?

 

Basically... get a big extension and a big hammer.

I didn't have enough space under the car and wound up paying a shop 30 bucks to do it.

Also, if the driver's side is more spacially challenged than the passenger's side, you might want to try loosening the passenger's side (which will make the driver's side infinitely easier) then crank the driver's side down and go to town on the passenger's side instead. You'll have the same problem, just possibly less space constraints.

But seriously, the only way to do it is really get a long extension and a sledgehammer.

 

Did you look at the instructions from Matt? You are supposed to take the control arm off the subframe to get to that bolt.

 

...

 

uh...ook

well i think id need a really thin headed breaker bar to squeeze in between to get to the bolt. do they make such a thing? i can get the socket in no problem at all, its just getting a wrench in there to turn the socket thats the problem. i dont see how an extension and sledgehammer would work.

 

universal joint?

 

hmm that might work... i'll have to give it a try.

 

From your post, it sounded like the same problem I had. Now I think the best course of action would probably be a 5sp swap.

Sorry, you had to have seen that coming...

 

lol i've been thinking about doing that lately...

 

do it FTW. we can do mine while we are at it ! but we will practice on your car first.

 

boo im not the guinea pig! lol nah i dont think im gonna do it. its tempting, but no. i need to focus on more important things.
... but ill need to put aside sometime for a header install too!

 

Get a piece of plate steel 1/8" and cut a stip 3 inches wide, make a v notch in it and weld the socket into the V. This should give you the clearance you need and the strength.

 

read, follow.
http://www.blehmco.com/instructionpages/ltb_install.htm

The other way to do it would be to remove the driver side tranny mount on the frame rail and then jack the tranny up a couple inches to provide the clearance you need for the tools.

 

ah ic thanks matt.