Uberoo Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 What is the best way to put a transmission by yourself?I was thinking using a floor jack to lift the transmission then move it around to get everything to line up.Or is there an easier way other than having an assistant? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudduck Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 A whole lot of wrestling that thing around and a whole bunch of swearing, and about a pack of smokes. Thats what it took to get a NP435 and 205 transfer case into a 77 f-150 whaen I had to do the clutch in that thing years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedwagon Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 A whole lot of wrestling that thing around and a whole bunch of swearing, and about a pack of smokes. Thats what it took to get a NP435 and 205 transfer case into a 77 f-150 whaen I had to do the clutch in that thing years ago. I don't find it to be that hard. I lifted the front of the trans up and set it on the xmember, then got the floor jack under the rear of the trans. Once up in place, make sure the trans is in gear, and slip the rear driveshaft in so you can turn the gears to get it lined up with the engine, and slip it in. These aren't all that heavy transmissions, so they can be man-handled fairly easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonicfrog Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 I've done several. I used an engine hoist to lift the front, then use a jack to lift the back and slip the tranny in place. It helps to put a block in front of the engine so that the back of the engine where the tranny mounts is tilting down a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twitch de la Brat Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 Yeah, I've had to do with a floor jack. As was mentioned by Speedwagon, just heft the front onto the X-member and lift the back with a floor jack. Make sure the jack is securely wedged or hooked on something to keep it or the tranny from sliding backward. It also helps if you have the tranny mounting plate attached so all you have to do is bolt it up to keep it from falling on your head. Then the maneuvering can be done after the X-member is attached. Twitch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baccaruda Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 If you can safely get the car up high enough, a transmission adapter for your jack will be the easiest way. The hardest part is getting the trans onto the adapter platform if you have to do all of that under the car, but it's easier than installing the transmission without the jack adapter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 something to help lift it through the engine bay is nice. engine lift with some chain snaked down through to the trans. coming out is the easy part...really quick and easy. getting it back in is the fun part. a trans adapter would be nice and i'll probably get one if it ever comes down to doing a trans swap again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uberoo Posted January 17, 2010 Author Share Posted January 17, 2010 I was able to get the transmission on the floor jack and slowly work my way up to the engine..couple tweaks here and there and I got it started on the locating studs.Then was able to jack the rear of the transmission a bit.Then I used the long bots off the top to draw the engine/transmission together.. so much simpler to talk about it with out the couple hours of manhandling/wresting the transmission to go in.. Now I just have a few small stuff to take care of-clutch cable,speedo cable,and driveshaft/carrier bearing..and fluid. Which brings me to the next part,How much of what kind of oil does a 5 speed DR take. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedwagon Posted January 17, 2010 Share Posted January 17, 2010 Should be 75w-90 or 80w-90. I don't recall how much, maybe 2-4 quarts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twitch de la Brat Posted January 17, 2010 Share Posted January 17, 2010 I'm pretty sure its 2 quarts and I used 80w-90 hypoid gear oil. (Or does hypoid even have ratings ) It was cheaper than the regula lucas 75w-90, so I was happy to buy it. Plus the napa guy (long time suby owner) said that hypoid was less likely to allow the gears to eat each other. Twitch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uberoo Posted January 17, 2010 Author Share Posted January 17, 2010 according to the 1983 owners manual the 4 speed DR takes 3.2 Qts.Doesn't say the weight though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yo'J Posted January 17, 2010 Share Posted January 17, 2010 Definitely use hypoid oil, subaru uses hypoid gears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uberoo Posted January 17, 2010 Author Share Posted January 17, 2010 it been a while sense ive had to put gear oil in anything.I recently rebuilt a transmission but rather than use gear oil I filled it full to the brim(clear to the top of the transmission through the shifter hole) with 30 wt engine oil.The lighter weight oil actually can lubricate the the worn synchros better than the gear oil because the gear oil won't flow into the synchros...Thats for a mazda B2200 transmission. However I will get 3 Qts of hypoid gear oil.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dantes Inferno Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 I found its easier to pull the motor. Drop the trans onto its crossmembers thru the engine bay. Get underneath and benchpress it into its home. Its easier to fiddle with the clutch with the motor out too! I didnt read the thread so this might be mute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 I have 6 ton jackstands (for the height) and a transmission jack from Harbor Frieght ($80). Works excelent. I've done more than I care to remember. Before I had my current setup my procedure was to block the front of the trans in stages while supporting the back with a rope through the shifter hole in the tunnel - wrap it around the tail section and slam the loose end in the door. Then block up the front of the trans or have someone hold it while you slide under and bench-press it into place. Hated doing them but I did a lot that way before buying my current gear. No question it's easier now. Still a lot of moving around and always a bit of fighting to get them lined up and slid into the pilot bearing. If you have an engine hoist then use that to pick up the front of the trans and the rope to pick up the rear then slide under and manuever it around. The inexpensive tranny jack is much better though as you have height and angle control from under the car - beats moving around to all the posistions to line everything up using the rope/hoist methods. GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonicfrog Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 Yeah GD. I'm going to get one of those the next time I have need to pull a tranny. Of course, I said that before the last time I had to pull a tranny, and I still don't have one, so don't take bets on my pledge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 For $80 they are a worthwhile investment if you are planning to work on Subaru's or even other vehicles in the future. That can be a lot of money for a one-time job but I bet for $20 or less you could rent one for the day at any rental place - probably be a nicer unit too. In any case, a full set of the 6 ton jack stands from harbor freight is almost a must to drop out a tranny without a lift. You need the height and even with them I still have to turn the tranny on it's side while it's on the tranny jack to get it to roll under the engine cross-member. Oh - and invest in some kitty litter or dry sweep. There's almost no getting around spilling a bit of gear oil. I have a driveline end from an EA81 that I slip on to the tailshaft of Subaru transmissions to keep the gear oil in. GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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