98 Camry auto transmission replacement, can I get some advice:)

[buckz6319]

I'm trying to get information together in advance
I would appreciate any advice I can get on replacing the automatic transmission(98 Camry LE) with another of the same(used if I can get a deal with warranty)

What are the steps that you members would take to do this replacement? without removing the engine(my manual want the engine and transmission removed as a whole, but I don't want too!)

I have many years of mechanical experience, but it is limited on the FWD vehicles to some degree.I will be doing this myself on dirt, don't have a garage slab anymore...so the replacement will be a chore

how much clearance will I need to get the tranny out from under the front end?


I have a manual but it is not that informative like a FSM is there a link to one?

I would appreciate any advice and pics that can guide me and help others along the way

[Chris Crash]

If you have an engine hoist you could lift it out easier than dropping the subframe.

You'll need to unbolt the tranny, get the torque converter off and undo all the wires and hoses that go to it.
Removing the torque converter, there are six bolts on the engine side of it. You'll need to remove an inspection plate from the engine near the oil pan on the bottom (don't know how else to explain it or have pictures). There's two small bolts on it. Maybe 10 mm. Regardless. Take that plate off. Then spin the flywheel around until you can see one bolt at the bottom. Undo it, have fun with that. They suck. Then spin it, do it again and so on and so forth. The torque converter is pretty heavy too.

If you drop the subframe, there won't be much room if the engine ain't coming out too. You'll have to hold the engine up.

Or just lift it out the top with a hoist (would be easier so you aren't laying down with only 1 foot of clearance and the possibility of shit falling on you).

The A/T is heavy as hell, by the way.

[Chris Crash]

And gimme like 15 minutes to upload the FSM.

[Chris Crash]

http://www.megaupload.com/

You can download the Zipped folder there, just unzip it and there you go!

Might take a while to download though as it's a large file. But I look through that before I post questions. It'll come in handy, I promise.

[buckz6319]

thanks for the info...I'll down load the like and review tomorrow

that transmission is heavy?....hell, try removing the A340H from a 95 4runner now that's heavy...I have a 95 4runner with a A340H so that's how I know, didn't think the Camry's tranny was that heavy

Oh well....thanks I'll keep that in mind...the clearance under the Camry is what worries me at the moment, getting it up high enough to clear the tranny when I slide it out

[Chris Crash]

I mean it's probably two times the weight of the manual. I'd probably put it at 150 lbs. but the manual I just posted has the specs in it!

All the times I've pulled trannies from my camry's I've pulled from the top. The manual I was able to pull out by hand with the help of a friend. It actually was sitting on the subframe and as we rolled it out the shop to park it, it fell off the subframe and onto the ground! So we had to pull it out right then and there. They take some convincing to come out without the engine. You'll have to twist it so the bell housing faces the front (at least that's the way I got it out, you might get lucky!)

[JohnGD]

Also check the following swap by a fellow TN member:

Transmission Swap Write-Up and Photos

[buckz6319]

thanks for the help!....I'm sure this will be interesting swap

[buckz6319]

I'm going to start looking for a replacement transmission this weekend.....

[ONE_to_HATE]

get 5 speed.

[buckz6319]

Originally Posted by ONE_to_HATE

get 5 speed.

I wish I could get a 5 speed for my self, but this Camry is going to my daughter she is paying for the transmission and I'm just going to let her have the car to drive to college

[JohnGD]

If everything else is in good shape then you might want to consider getting a better, remanufactured transmission from Marshall or Jasper. These typically come with 3-year/100K mile warranty, about $2150+shipping, that's already including $415 core price (rockauto.com price), refunded if your core can be rebuilt.

Of course, these can't beat the $300 salvage yard transmission with a 30 day warranty in price. But if your daughter is going off to college, then might want some peace of mind.

Give them a call, not sure if they have torque converters with reman transmissions:

http://www.marshallengines.com/transmissions.htm
http://www.jasperengines.com/transmissions.php


Or you can get a $200 master kit with steel, and another $150 or so for a reman torque converter and rebuild the thing:

http://www.transtarindustries.com/

Originally Posted by buckz6319

I wish I could get a 5 speed for my self, but this Camry is going to my daughter she is paying for the transmission and I'm just going to let her have the car to drive to college

[buckz6319]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

If everything else is in good shape then you might want to consider getting a better, remanufactured transmission from Marshall or Jasper. These typically come with 3-year/100K mile warranty, about $2150+shipping, that's already including $415 core price (rockauto.com price), refunded if your core can be rebuilt.

Of course, these can't beat the $300 salvage yard transmission with a 30 day warranty in price. But if your daughter is going off to college, then might want some peace of mind.

Give them a call, not sure if they have torque converters with reman transmissions:

http://www.marshallengines.com/transmissions.htm
http://www.jasperengines.com/transmissions.php


Or you can get a $200 master kit with steel, and another $150 or so for a reman torque converter and rebuild the thing:

http://www.transtarindustries.com/

Thanks for the info...sorry that it took me so long to get back to ya, my 4runner "Christine" was acting up again and I had to fix her for the thousandth time
I can't afford a transmission that expensive right now and thanks for the recommendation...I'm searching for a used one in good condition with low miles....so wish me luck
Today I had a chance to detach the tc from the flex plate because i wanted to make sure that the engine wasn't damaged when the transmission got seized in gear....the engine still runs perfect so I have decided to try and remove the transmission my self from the top.I really don't want to remove the sub frame now that I got a good look at it a while ago, looks like a lot of extra work

[Chris Crash]

If you have an engine hoist you can pull the tranny out the top.

If you get a couple extra hands, you could probably pick it up but it's heavy and bending over that far might hurt something so be careful.

[buckz6319]

can I get some info on the JDM transmissions I see advertised....will they be a direct bolt on?....and is it true that they really have to be changed out at a certain mileage in Japan?