Transmission Removal

[Spartan]

Hi all,

Longtime lurker of these forums ever since I picked up my LS in January and I'm attempting the 5r55 repairs. I've never removed a transmission before and right now I'm stuck. I've followed the service manual but I can't get the transmission to drop. I've removed 16 engine-transmission bolts and 4 torque converter nuts however I can't get any seperation at the bell housing. What am I missing?

 

[fudge12]

What am I missing?

never removed one myself, but i could think of a few:

1) Tranny mount
2) Did you remove the driveshaft?

 

[Spartan]

Yes, the crossmember and driveshaft have been removed. How much force is needed to seperate the trans? Maybe I was just being too gentle.

 

[JoshMcMadMac]

There are two guide pins that seize pretty tight onto the engine. I ended up using an old, dull chisel and a nail punch to get it loose. Gentle is not an option, and it gets a little scary once it starts coming off. Make sure you have your transmission jack well seated so that when it does break free it does not squish you.

 

[Right on the Mark]

What Josh said. I have had motor and trans where you thought they where welded together. With all bolts out they are stuck together. Sometimes I have to bang in a screwdriver to then wedge them apart.

 

[02pos]

I've dropped a few transmissions on a lot of different vehicles, RWD, FWD 2WD, 4x4,... Sometimes they pull right apart, sometimes you spend an hour swearing you forgot a bolt, but its just seized, use a prybar or a big screwdriver

 

[02pos]

Oh and sometimes you DO forget a bolt, even though you swear you have them all

 

[Spartan]

FWIW there are 16 engine to transmission screws and 4 torque converter nuts and my issue was seized guide pins.

 

[kevinspann]

What is the best way to access all of the bolts? Long extensions up the trans tunnel from the rear of the trans?

 

[2000sport]

A 4 foot wobble extension or a 4 ft extension and a swivel socket at the end, drop the rear trans mount, and go over top of the trans to get the 4 top mounting bolts.

Shouldn't take more than an hour to get the trans out. Figure 2-3 hours for removal if you've never done it before.