[mharrand]

I need some help fast, I've unfastened my transmission completely, it is loose and sitting on the transmission jack. I've followed the removal procedure in the Alldata web site information but I can't seem to find the trick to get the transmission out. Basically it's trapped between the engine and the crossmember behind the transmission. The crossmember is also where the torsion bars for the front suspension are mounted, can I safely remove or at least unbolt and lower this crossmember? If so, how do you do this safely? Or is there a way to lift/lower/turn the transmission to get it out with the crossmember in place? The procedure in the Alldata web site does not mention removing the crossmember.

Thanks for any Help!
GMCarGuy

 

[Matrixx]

Hi mharrand

Welcome to the Forum

Their is no mention of removing the crossmember and I wouldn't attempt it, no. It does say to remove the front torsion bars, has that been done yet? Their are 9 bolts holding the transmission housing on, do you have 9 bolts off? I'm sure you removed the Torque Converter bolts, transmission cooling lines and transmission filler tube correct?

The transmission Bracket is suppose to be removed completely not just the nut that holds the transmission in place.

Please keep us updated, Thanks.

 

[Matrixx]

If your only jacking the transmission up and not supporting the motor as well, then your putting a lot of pressure on the bell housing and may be another reason it won't loosen up. Both motor and transmission need to be raised a bit with floor jacks and then separated. Their are "bosses" on the motor that help line the transmission up when installing, these bosses could be hanging things up as well. Try to get something in between the housing and block then gently separate it with that.

Please keep us updated, Thanks.

 

[Matrixx]

The more I think about this mharrand (a judgment call here), If your still having problems removing the transmission, then I would suggest removing the crossmember. Make sure the motor, transmission and the crossmember are safely supported before unbolting it, yes remove it. All the information I have is as clear as mud. I have never removed a transmission without removing the crossmember (except in a Sub-Frame drop).

Please keep us updated, Thanks.

 

[mharrand]

Thanks for the quick reply. Unfortunately my internet provider is having problems. Always at the worse time.

The transmission is completely loose, not connected to anything. You can move it around I simple can't drop it out of the vehical because of clearence. I didn't notice in my procedure where it said to remove the front torsion bars but that would allow me to remove the crossmember. With that out of the way I'm sure the transmission will come out without a problem. Do you now how to SAFELY remove the tension from the torsion bars to allow me to remove everything?

 

[Matrixx]

Hi mharrand

You need a special tool to do that (unload the tension) to my understanding. All Data has the procedure. I haven't removed the torsion bars on these vehicles and It would be fool hardy of me to even attempt to give any advice on such a risky procedure, sorry.

I'm sure others will chime in if they can to help who have done it though. We have a lot of AWD owners here. In the meantime, All Data has the information you need if you can look it up.

Sorry mharrand, one of the very few times I'm not able to help with that particular procedure (torsion bars).

 

[mharrand]

Well I finally got it out, now I only have to get it back in after the rebuild LOL! I releaseed the tension on the torsion bars. It turned out to be a lot less than I expected, I dropped the front wheels as far as the control arm would go, then took the adjuster bolts out after marking them. I then used a large C clamp to put a little tension back on in order to remove the adjustor blocks. If really didn't take much to remove the blocks. Of course do this at your own risk. Once tension was off I still wasn't able to remove the crossmember due to rusted parts but I was able to pry it downward a few inches and put wood blocks in to allow the clearance I needed.

Later!

 

[Matrixx]

Hi mharrand

Thanks for the update. I'm glad to hear you got it out. Wish i could have been more help.