Rear main seal replacement, any how-to's on how to remove a transmission? Options

[6strngs]

so basically I've got a pretty bad oil leak that I'm 90% sure is from the rear main seal. so I'm going to be replacing that sometime, like this weekend maybe. I was wondering if anybody could give me some general directions on how to remove the (manual) transmission as I've never done it before. also, are there any other seals or gaskets I need to replace while I do this, or are there any things that are recommended I do while this is out?

[soulshadow]

Take out the motor and tranny together. Its much easier that way and you can replace seals or what ever off the motor too.

If not then you need to remove the bottom cross member where the front and rear motor mounts sit. It gets a lot more difficult cuz u will be removing some bolts off the tranny in order to get to the rear main seal. Not only that you have to work underneath your car which is never safe.

My advice, if you have all the equipments do it yourself and take out both motor and tranny. If you have no tools, take it to a shop or someone else that does.

Things you can check / replace: Timing belt, waterpump, radiator plugs, paint your tranny / engine, Sparkplugs, belts, valve cover paint, oil-pump,
New clutch and flywheel if ya rich.

[6strngs]

I don't have the tools to remove the motor, and I don't have the money to replace much more than just this seal and maybe a couple small things that are close-by or that I have to remove to get to the seal anyway.

[6strngs]

come on, nobody has anything to say?

right now, I've got four bolts standing in the way of me bein able to bring out my transmission, but I have to go to work... so hopefully later today it'll come out and I can put the seal in, then tomorrow get it all back in.

[6strngs]

can anybody tell me how to take the driver's side axle out of the transmission? I removed the six bolts and have been prying with screwdrivers and a crow bar, but it just won't come out!

[jc47]

Are you completely sure that the rear seal is leaking? I only ask because it is uncommon for the rear seal to leak on a Toyota unless you have a ton of miles, and you are really getting into a big job where it is easy to screw a bunch of expensive stuff up. If you are sure that it is the rear seal, the first thing I would do is find a service manual for the car (most libraries have them) and read through the procedure for removing the transmission and replacing the seal. Make sure you have all the special tools that will be required. The manual will give you general directions; if you have any specific questions, I'm sure people here can answer them.

[lagos]

can anybody tell me how to take the driver's side axle out of the transmission? I removed the six bolts and have been prying with screwdrivers and a crow bar, but it just won't come out!

6bolts? what six bolts?
you just pry the axle out with a tire iron or something similar.
you can use these for reference:
http://www.celicatech.com/imagearchive/bgb...94_6gmanual.htm

[WannabeGT4]

If you don't have a CV shaft puller I found that a second person prying from the top while you pry from the bottom will keep the shaft straight so the snap ring doesn't bind inside the differential... Wiggle it while you pry on it and it'll pop right out... Sounds kinda like what I had to do to your mom last night.

[6strngs]

well, I got it out. I went out and searched for a axle puller but couldn't find one. so I eventually just set up the pry bar, stood on it (and I weigh about 180 lbs) and then had to start bouncing on it and it finally popped loose. afterwards, I tried for a good while to remove the transmission and I'm finally close. it kept hitting the crossmember and being supported by it, but I finally wiggled it loose, and it's about to drop, when I see that the shift cables are preventing it from doing so. I tried to disconnect them earlier, but couldn't so I hoped there would be enough slack in them that they wouldn't need to be disconnected, but I was wrong. now I have to figure out how to disconnect the shift cables from the transmission. I've tried everything I can think of but they're still stuck.

[WannabeGT4]

There are two U shaped clips holding the cables in place. There are also two pins holding them to the shift levers. Remove those and the cables should be free.

[6strngs]

There are two U shaped clips holding the cables in place. There are also two pins holding them to the shift levers. Remove those and the cables should be free.

I already removed the pins for the shift levers, it's the U-shaped clips that won't some off. I'm not sure how to. I used some pliers to grab one, then pulled as hard as I could and I moved the whole engine/transmission assembly before they would move. in fact, they didn't budge at all... is there any trick to it or something else I have to do to get them off?

[WannabeGT4]

Hit 'em with a hammer, pry on them with a screwdriver, and yell the most obscene things you can think at them and they'll get scared and pop right out.

[6strngs]

yeah, I got them. I actually did follow your advise. lol

[CaliJeff]

yeah, I got them. I actually did follow your advise. lol

...lol

[soulshadow]

so.......what are you supporting the motor with while you work on the tranny.

I hope u at least have a piece of wood wrapped in chain going across your engine bay holding up the motor while your mounts are loose.... If not....

Dude, go to Wal-Mart buy an Air Compressor, tools and do the project. THEN
when your done, RETURN them and say you really didn't need them. Saved myself tons of times.

[6strngs]

I've got one jack under the motor, one transmission jack under the transmission, two jackstands under the frame, and a scissor jack under the crossmember. not the optimal method, but it's all I got.

yeah I know it's not safe to be under the engine right now, which is why I haven't been under it since I took off the left mount.

This post has been edited by 6strngs: Aug 22, 2007 - 2:31 AM

[6strngs]

that's weight reduction... right?


and in case anybody wanted to know what a rear main seal looks like:


I was planning on getting alot done last night but then I realized I don't have a clutch alignment tool... I'm wondering if I could get it done without one.

[6strngs]

three full weeks? have I really been doing this 3 full weeks? it's almost back together again. I just need to put the axles in, the starter, a couple engine-to-transmission bolts, and connect a few electrical connectors and it'll all be back together again. that's only like an hour or twos worth of work, but I had to cut it short tonight. I plan on getting up early tomorrow and getting it finished, finally.

oh yeah, it took three weeks cause I'm working all day and taking night classes all night, so I could only work on it like one or two days a week at the most.

[lubu]

good work bud, good to see that car is up and running soon..btw that tranny weights tons, when i tried lifting it up i almost stood up without my arms they should have design tranny on wheels so we can push it

[6strngs]

yeah, I could only lift the transmission high enough to get it back onto the transmission jack. probably weighs like 150-200 lbs.

anyway, not such a happy ending. I was doing the final touches and somehow shorted a wire and started a small fire on my engine