ARGH. I just finished the 2nd day of wrestling with my transmission (thanks Wes and Ryker for the help!) and I'm getting pretty disgusted with myself.

I had 4 ASE master mechanics periodically helping me through the weekend as well as buidling a rollbar for Brandon's Supra (you guys have got to see it - it's looking AWESOME!) and they all just shook their heads in stunned disbelief as the car fought me every which way it could.

The job in and of itself isn't hard. There's a bit of additional hardware vs. the regular RWD clutch job - but nothing unusual.

It's the stripped nuts/bolts, the HEAVY parts and the ABSOLUTELY STUBBORN transmission assembly that doesn't want to stab flush...

I've been stuck with the trans. bellhousing 1/2" away from the motor for the last 3 hours or so. I gave up ~10:30pm tonight.

The trans. has been in and out of the car 3 times now (don't ask) and this time it just doesn't want to stab all the way in.

I've been using all the regular tricks that 40 years of experienced mechanics can come up with (all FWD and RWD experience though) and I'm starting to get angry.

I've moved my appointments tomorrow and I'm going to manhandle that biz-notch in whether it likes it or not.

GRRRRRRRRrr.

Hey Ed Sub-sonic - any tips?
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because I remember him telling me about it. Something about a piece that was hollow and you had to punch out another piece inside of it? At least that's what I remember. You have the Subaru manuals?

San

 

Its okay Richard. Keep your head cool and you'll be fine.

In other news, grats to Richard, Pat, Jayson, Pat Olsen, in making XShift magazine's bragging rights section!

 

Thanks. I'm actually much older and wiser now. I used to be a "tool thrower" (never a good trait in a dealership mechanic) but old age and a creaky bones have taught me to stay calmer.
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San, thanks for the tip! The trans has been in and out of the car a couple of times successfully (well, ALMOST successfully!) over the past couple of days.

I just don't know what is hanging it up this last time.

There is a bearing release lever that rides on a shaft that needs to be released before the trans will separate from the motor. That's a new one (never seen it before).

There's also a very interesting clutch release bearing design that has a spring and retaining clip which holds it to the pressure place (again, never seen anything like that before).

The next clutch job should be a snap after this one. My car is just being pissy because I'm experimenting on it again.
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I got that magazine. I thought Wes sent his info. Russ and Steven should be in there as well. So should Dan.

 

Have you tried jacking the tranny so that the engine could slide in at an angle?

Or, remove the tranny, bolt it to the engine, and slid them both in at once?

 

Thanks for the tips... My engine never came out of the car though...
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Sorry to hear that...I wish I had some skills to offer. Good luck.

 

Thanks. 3 of us have been at it since 12pm today. This is absurd. I'm getting really loopy/punchy now.
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So hows the install going man??? i hope its finished for your sake.

 

JUST finished it up tonight.

1. WES IS THE MAN. Thanks for all the help. You went beyond the call (as always - I'm sure no one will be surprised). You're the man again, DAWG.

2. This ties the AWD Talon I had for worst clutch job EVaR. It's systematically easier than the DSM clutch - but I ran into numerous things that were MAJOR stumbling blocks.

3. Aside from everything sucking - the hardest part of this job was getting the trans. mated back up to the engine block. I have always been taught (and have always taught) to never pull in a component with bolts. I had to give in (after hours of Jimmy manhandling my stubborn trans) and finally pulled it in the rest of the way (it was out ~3/4").

4. Subaru uses a WEIRD clutch/TOB/retainer design. *shakes head*

5. I'm so glad it's over.

6. The next one is gonna be much easier now that I know what to look for and I remedied some of the "problems" that were thrown my way this time.

7. Now I know how it can take some people 14 hours to change an uppipe.

8. My trans. shifts like BUTTAH now after replacing the gear oil with petroleum Valvoline 80w90 GL5. Awesome!

9. I'm tired, sunburnt, sore, and best of all... Ready to go racing in another 1,000 miles!
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See you at the track fri!!! i was wondering did you guys do the install on a lift or on the ground on your backs.

 

On the ground on our backs. UGH. My friend whose lift I was gonna use was in Japan...
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Man u guys are nuts