Removing crossmember Options

[kgrande]

Hi all,

Almost in the middle of a clutch change. For me clutch changes are always a pain, best described as characterbuilding! The good thing is that I like to get to know my cars, so it's good in that respect.

Going ok so far, but a few hurdles along the way with a different car.


How do I remove the crossmember under the engine? The fwd gearbox mount won't move out of the way, tops out on the steering rack(I've got right hand drive if it makes a difference). Not keen on removing that, so looking at lifting the tranny out with the crossmember semi-attached to it. What's the proper way of doing this?


Discovered an oil leak somewhere behind the engine, but where? It's wet all the way from under the crossmember up to the underside of the manifold. What are the sources for leaks back here? Any hoses that may have come off or cracked? It's so cramped back there that it's hard to get familiar with everything.

All answers appreciated,

Kris

[malecrod]

Yeah, that rear mount won't move until you lower the main cross member. To remove the main cross member, you will have to remove a total of 5 bolts on each side of the member. 3 bolts right under the frame and 2 inner ones. REMEMBER it is VERY HEAVY so you will need to support it with a jack while doing this or better yet have a jack and a helping hand. It a PITA of work to do but doable. If you only just need that rear mount out, then I recommend not taking all the bolts out completely, just losen them to lower the cross member down to give you enough clearance to wiggle the mount out. Also remember to torque bolts back when done.
I have a lot of oil splash back there too, looks like a power steering fluid or maybe motor oil, I don't know for sure, I just tighten hoses a bit hopefully thats all it is.
Hope this helps.

[jason]

yeah, clutch n flywheel change took me 6 hrs with a lift n a bunch of tools, as for oil back there, could be spilled or like he said some loose hoses, the hardest for me was actually putting the tranny back up into the car.. what a work out to get it lined up

[Coomer]

You don't have to remove the horizontal crossmember. You just need to remove the bolt that goes through the rear transmission mount. It's a pain but it can be done.

[kgrande]

the hardest for me was actually putting the tranny back up into the car.. what a work out to get it lined up

I've just got it out, that's not what I need to hear right now! I guess tomorrow is going to be a hard day! Very impressed by your 6 hours, if I now can get mine back together in 8 I'll be laughing.

I struggled a bit wiggling it out as I brought it out with the driveshaft and the crossmember dangling loose. It worked, but a bit tight to get it out.
Eventually found some instructions to the crossmember out properly, which is to remove the rear mount from the tranny before removing the crossmember. Problem was that I couldn't loosen the bolts with the tools I could fit in the tight space.

Will look closer for the source of the leak tonight, easier now with the tranny out. Replacing the seals on the axles just in case that would be the one. Don't think that's it, but worth doing now I have easy access to it.

[Rockford]

You don't have to remove the horizontal crossmember. You just need to remove the bolt that goes through the rear transmission mount. It's a pain but it can be done.

x2

when i changed my rear motor mount i have only to unbolt the transversal crossmember and move the motor with a jacklift..... but in your case (trans) maybe it could be so much different!!!