1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
I just replaced my transmission last weekend in my garage with the aid of a $20 rental on a propane heater and a carbon monoxide detector to keep my CO poisoning to a minimum (but I digress). The Job isn't terribly difficult, and the advice already given here is golden. You will not want to attempt to install the new transmission without a transmission jack, unless you have a helper and a LOT of patience - I purchased the same Harbor Freight jack myself this time since I usually rent them at $20 a pop - The transmission is oddly balanced and even with the proper jack I had trouble keeping it from falling off ten times. I use a 2x6 (maybe 22" long) board on my floor jack when I lower the subframe and if you position the board just behind the two anchor hooks towards the rear of the subframe it will balance nicely on that board as you pull it out. You can remove the two center bolts from the subframe before you position the jack/board under it then remove the other four bolts + 2 on the mount, lower it down, and roll it out. Since you're replacing the transmission and the new one will surely not be locked in third gear like it should be, the best thing you can do with the shift coupling is simply remove the single bolt holding the coupling to the transmission shift rod and leave the firewall side alone. This will allow you to separate the coupling from the old trans and reinstall the coupling on the new transmission without having to go through the tedious process of adjusting the shift linkage, other than maybe a minor tweak. The axle nuts are 32MM, so secure that socket before you get started. You'll basically need 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, and 18MM sockets and an 8MM hexbit socket for the job, and rarely need much more than a single 3" extension except when you'll use that 8mm hex on the lower alternator bolt a 9" will be handy. Also, if you're not aware, these transmissions use special oil, so get that in advance to avoid paying $28/ltr. That's about all I have to say about the job, plan for about 6-9 hours labor, depending on your skill level. Good luck! Are you planning on replacing the clutch while you have the tranny out? If you do that now you can easily get by with just the clutch disk and alignment tool, and save yourself a couple hundred dollars on an entire kit
posted by 98.144.60...
, Thu, 29 Jan 2009 20:32:29, Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:06:02
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
