Transmission removal help

ghnat · ghnat's Garage

I did a search and printed out the instructions from Clarks. I have a question:

Clark's removal procedure (step 17) says to disconnect the fuel filter from the transaxle support cross member. Do you need to disconnect the fuel filer from one or both lines also? I ask because if you remove the cross member with the transmission I think I will need to disconnect the filter from at least one line to get the cross member out with the transmission. I don't like playing with gas lines if I don't have to...

This is my first transmission removal for the S2 and I just want to make sure I minimize any problems.

Thanks for any help!

Marajit · 04-12-2009, 05:05 PM

I don't think that removal of the fuel lines is what is implied in the procedure, but rather the removal of the hose clamp that holds the filter attached to the crossmember in order to get the filter out of the way of the transaxle.

ghnat · ghnat's Garage

Marajit,
That is what I thought I just want to make sure. I would like some more opinions from those that have removed their transmission.. anyone?

konan · 04-13-2009, 03:46 AM

remove the transaxle cross support and you will have it whipped. It also makes it a snap to put back in.

Slam · 04-13-2009, 10:58 AM

Always get the coupler first.

I've not done a tranny on an S2 but the couplers are pretty much ubiquitous.

Aufenbahn · 04-14-2009, 05:40 PM

I changed my tranny without removing the crossmember because it looked like the removal of the crossmember would be a big complication. The only difficulty is figuring out how the mount is connected at the top of the tranny because you can't see what you're doing. Luckily I was replacing the tranny and could reference the one on the floor to see what I was working with up above me. IIRC the rubber mount is attached with only one bolt or something silly like that. I do remember that once I figured it out it was quite easy.
Just make sure you follow the instructions for the coupler and the linkage.

ghnat · ghnat's Garage

Well, I bought an ATV jack, unboled the transmission from the torque tube, strapped the transmission to the jack and unbolted the cross support from the car. It took me some time since there is not a lot of room. But some wiggling here and there it came out. Woo Hoo. Once out I removed the cross support form the transmission - 2 bolts hold the tranny to the cross support.

Now I can take it to my mechanic to replace a blown seal. Oh, and clean, clean clean. Repact the CVs. I am debating wheather or not to replace the bananna arm bushings with the delrin ones I have, so the rear will match the front. I just really don't want to reindex the rear torsion bars, but not sure when I'll get a chance like this with so much room under the rear... How big of a job is it to replace the rear bushings AND reindex the t-bars?