Help with '90 corolla trans swap

[Ronnaferd]

I'm changing out the Auto tranny in my 90 corolla and need some input from you guys.

I can't get the rear bolts on the center crossmember out to pull the whole beam out. It looks like maybe the tranny mount wont raise up high enough....any suggestions?

How do I undo the halfshafts?

I have everything else disconnected, including the torque converter bolts on the pass side of the trans. Now I just take off the upper motor mount on the trans and remove the bolts holding the trans to the engine?

Thanks for any help, Ronnie

[SCT]

Both subframes have to come off (the frame that the trans mount to on the bottom and the frame that holds the control arms). It can all come down as one whole frame.

All shafts are held in by a C-clip. They should popped right out with some tugging.

... Both subframes have to come out. Remove starter. All engine-to-trans bolt. The mount.

Make sure you use a jack under the engine or use an engine to hoist.

Hope this helps. Everything you see, take it all of... Of course, all the stuff that's applicable




Also, here's some pics when I took my auto out. This was when I did my auto-to-5pd swap.

[eishiba]

Originally Posted by SCT

Both subframes have to come off (the frame that the trans mount to on the bottom and the frame that holds the control arms). It can all come down as one whole frame.

All shafts are held in by a C-clip. They should popped right out with some tugging.

... Both subframes have to come out. Remove starter. All engine-to-trans bolt. The mount.

Make sure you use a jack under the engine or use an engine to hoist.

Hope this helps. Everything you see, take it all of... Of course, all the stuff that's applicable




Also, here's some pics when I took my auto out. This was when I did my auto-to-5pd swap.

Did you have to tilt the engine any to get the transmission off? What did you use to lift the new transmission into place with the flywheel and engine? I have a 5 speed which is really only a 4 speed right now cause 3rd gear syncro went out so its nothing but grind grind grind so I don't use it anymore. Ive never taken the transmission out with taking the engine out. Whats the strategy to this?

[SCT]

Originally Posted by eishiba

Did you have to tilt the engine any to get the transmission off? What did you use to lift the new transmission into place with the flywheel and engine? I have a 5 speed which is really only a 4 speed right now cause 3rd gear syncro went out so its nothing but grind grind grind so I don't use it anymore. Ive never taken the transmission out with taking the engine out. Whats the strategy to this?

Unless you want to take the engines out with the trans still connected out the top, yes, you will have to tilt the engine. Since you will be removing the two bottom mounts and the driver side top mount, it leaves the fourth mount on the passenger side top which the engine can pivot/tilt up and down on. And you have to do the tilts, so the trans can clear the chassis.

My "new" trans was lifted up and maneuvered in with the blue racing jack you see in one of the pictures. Keep in my the engine is tilted at any angle, so the trans has to be tilted at the same angle when lifted/ maneuvered in.

Of course, on 5spd manuals, the clutch assembly is bolted onto the engine so removing the trans is a bit more ease than autos. Unlike at automatic, where the torque converter has to be unbolted from the engine/ flywheel first while the trans is still connected.

I really have no strategy. My auto-to-manual swap is the biggest mechanical accomplishment I've done so far. For one, the situation went from "I want to" to "I HAVE TO" because my automatic trans locked up.

To swap manual for manual, it can be done in less than a day or two depending on your availability and stuff.

[Ronnaferd]

Great info. THANK YOU!!! I ended up taking off the whole lower subframe (against my will but I guess I had to) Now I just have to find all the bolts holding the trans to the engine and out it comes!

Do I need to take off the half shafts from the wheel hubs? Do they need a puller to get out or what?

[SCT]

Yes, the front hub assemblies will have to come off (unbolt from lower ball joints, outer tie rods, and lower strut mounts). The shafts are held in the hub assemblies by one big nut on each side, I think they're 30mm or 32mm. Unscrew and the shaft should slide out the hubs very easily.

Taking the shafts out the hubs eases the process... I suggest so.

[eishiba]

Originally Posted by Ronnaferd

Great info. THANK YOU!!! I ended up taking off the whole lower subframe (against my will but I guess I had to) Now I just have to find all the bolts holding the trans to the engine and out it comes!

Do I need to take off the half shafts from the wheel hubs? Do they need a puller to get out or what?

Just to add some help, the bolt in the center of the hub is a real pain. I couldn't get it off for anything. So I went and got about a 4 inch PVC pipe and put that on the end. It did wonders for me. That pipe is several years old and I still use it for alot of dorky jobs. Not bad for 2.49$.

Originally Posted by SCT

Unless you want to take the engines out with the trans still connected out the top, yes, you will have to tilt the engine. Since you will be removing the two bottom mounts and the driver side top mount, it leaves the fourth mount on the passenger side top which the engine can pivot/tilt up and down on. And you have to do the tilts, so the trans can clear the chassis.

My "new" trans was lifted up and maneuvered in with the blue racing jack you see in one of the pictures. Keep in my the engine is tilted at any angle, so the trans has to be tilted at the same angle when lifted/ maneuvered in.

Of course, on 5spd manuals, the clutch assembly is bolted onto the engine so removing the trans is a bit more ease than autos. Unlike at automatic, where the torque converter has to be unbolted from the engine/ flywheel first while the trans is still connected.

I really have no strategy. My auto-to-manual swap is the biggest mechanical accomplishment I've done so far. For one, the situation went from "I want to" to "I HAVE TO" because my automatic trans locked up.

To swap manual for manual, it can be done in less than a day or two depending on your availability and stuff.

I really hate skipping a gear on my 5 speed but I don't have much choice. The transmission has 207000+ miles on it. Its about time for it to have something wrong with it. Ive had the car for almost 9 years and never had a transmission problem out of it. The only time I did anything to it was when the engine blew and I swapped a new one in so I went ahead and changed the clutch since it was out. Sounds easier to leave the engine in the bay. I want a c160. That would be a fun challenge to me.

[Ronnaferd]

Project update: tranny is out finally. to get the halfshafts out I was able to take the subframe out and by unbolting the three bolts under each wheel hub i could then swing the hubs out of the way and the halfshafts came out with it. Now just waiting to get the "new" one.

While we were in there I thought I would replace the oil pan gasket. Turns out a shady person before us decided to seal the pan with lots of silicone instead of the $9 gasket it should have got. Glad I did that.

[Penguino]

Never taking my car back to that guy (^^^ the shady person, not ronnaferd) again! Gave me a "discount" on parts but there was always something that came up after a few days that I had to get fixed again.
Thanks for everyones help!