Well after about 7 aborted attempts to reinstall my transmission I stopped for the day. I'm using a friends transmission jack but it seems every single time the tranny gets hung on something different. Either the body, suspension or some other piece inside the engine bay keeps me from getting the thing to mate up right. Is there some secret trick to getting the transmission back in that everyone is keeping to themselves? Please, out with the secrets! Thanks, Rich

 

Remove the engine mount, if not done already.

It can be a little tight going in between the flywheel and the frame, such that you'll bump the frame near the driver side wheel, but if you get it lined up right and nice and level it should fit just fine.

I've installed a couple of trannys using a floor jack from below and hands on top to balance/steer it in. Not my favorite approach (I'd love a tranny jack) but it works.

Dave

 

Thats where I'm having the problem. It gets hung up on the pressure plate and I'm still stuck at the frame. I figured the transmission jack would make the install a snap...famous last words. I"m going to try some more later when my patience is back up to normal.

 

Get two other people to help and just muscle it in with your hands, forget the jack. One guy on top and two underneath come in at an angle and slide it in. These 5 speeds are so light that a jack just gets in the way.

 

Hmmm, never really had a problem of the tranny getting hung up on things. I usually jack the car up as high as possible with a normal 3-ton jack and put it on jack stands. Make sure that that trans mount is not on the car or the tranny. Then I use a trans jack to get it up close, almost level but its tilted slightly so the bellhousing is facing up . Then I sit under the car with my head kinda where the battery is, and lift the trans up, supporting it on my shoulder and slide it on. Without a trans jack, I just sit under the car, pull trans under the car, support it on my lap, then lift it up, support it on my shoulder, line it up and slide it on.

I cant really think of anything specific I do to make it clear, I just have the bellhousing side of the trans tilted slightly upward and toward the rear of the car so the other side of the trans doesnt get caught up on the control arm.

 

Two guy's? Yall are weak, you just have to lift it onto your crotch and use youre hips/knees as well as your arms

Ummmm, big big trick here though................... Put the trannsmission in gear first, it makes it a ton easier for the splines to engage, just push in or pull out on the u-shaped control rod bracket where it goes into the trans, any gear will do, this really does make it MUCH easier, also if you haven't done so already........... remove the friggin passanger side axle or it will never go in! if for some weird reason you're still having a tough time than have an assistant turn the engine over slowly with a 19mm socket on the crank pulley whil;e you try to get the splines to engage. (I've never had to do this on a maxima, but on some cars it makes the world of difference, vw bugs come to mind)

 

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa......mn. Some strong folks man-handling the trans here under the car! Thanks for the tips. Looks like I need to hit the gym. I'm going to stick with using the trans jack for now. I think the tip to have it tilted slightly back with the bellhousing facing a little up is the key, Thanks. Rich