costill91Z

Any one who has replaced the clutch on their T-5, i need help in removing the trans from the bellhousing. i have 3 of the 4 bolts removed but the top bolt on the passenger side of the trans is giving me trouble. is there a special wrench that i can use to get it?
i need to get this thing out soon any help would be appreciated
thank you

camarokev400

really long extnesion with a swivel socket on the end.... go in from back by the tailshaft and you should be able to get it, i think i had my crossmember out and lowered the back down a little bit too not sure though that was awhile ago.

costill91Z

someone did suggest removing the distributor and letting the engine tilt back, but i do not feel like doing all that if i don't have to.

can i use a jack to support the crossmember and tilt the engine/trans back slowly? how far should it go?

also, what should i use to support the engine after the tranny is out?

thanks again

costill

camarokev400

you might as well just turn the 4 screws in the distributer and spend the extra 5 mins taking the cap off because you are almost guranteed to break it. You dont have to take it all the way off and lay it on the bench just take it loose and put it to the side with all the wires still attached to it. Then take a block of wood and jack up slightly on the oil pan then take out your crossmember and slowly lower it down then you should be able to go in from the back with a long extension and a swivel to get your last bolt out. Go as far as you need to go to get that bolt out...... it will only go so far and then it will hit the firewall

Mandangelo

Recently removed my T5 and I know the bolt your talking about,

I used a swivel socket.

costill91Z

did you have to tilt the tranny engine back?

pasky

What I do, is just use a long swivel extension. You can see the rib the bolt is near, just stick the socket on the bolt, push the swivel extension on it and put the ratchet at the end of it. You gotta hold the swivel with your hand to try and keep it straight, I had one hell of a time the first time but after doing it about 5 times this year its cake, arm just gets tired.

5.8L Camaro

I just took my T5 out, and had the same problem. I tilted the engine and used a swivel socket

cgb

All good tips...

Removing the dist cap is a good preventative measure...although even with large cap HEI, I've never had a trouble with it hitting the firewall, UNLESS the motor mounts were really worn and sloppy.

No need to jack on the motor.


Jack up the tranny itself, remove crossmember, torque arm mount etc... Let the jack down.

Use about 3-5 extensions on your ratchet INSTEAD of one or two LONG extensions. This itself lets the whole thing "bend" and give alot more for those hard to reach bolts. Pop the swivel on the socket and go at it.

I just dropped a T-5 for a rebuild that's in my neighbor's '88 Trans Am...

By the time he went in to use the bathroom, change pants and get a drink, the tranny was out and I was halfway thru a cigarette. :P

TIP : wrapping the swivel w/ a bit of duct tape can help GREATLY. Keeps the swivel from kicking back and binding as much when loosening / tightening the bolts.

scottland

nm.... read the post wrong

sojourn1974

Instead of running out and buying a swivel why don't you try this out. I have a habit of over applying pressure on parts and bending them. Such was the case with this 3 inch extention. It bent at the socket adapter. I was going to throw it away but kept it and it serves well in abnormal moments. Since its bent I can reach a lot of places that I normally wouldn't be able to cause the head of the ratchet would be making contact preventing the socket from fitting. So instead of doing it the right way and buying a swivel consider bending an extent as close to the socket adapter as possible (preferably with a socket on it). It will function like a distributor wrench. Using that bent extention is how I get that bolt on and off. You could also do it even a more back yard way and that would be to grind into that fin but I haven't done this and won't be responsible for breaking into the case. Try bending that extention. Use a vice and a long pipe. If your not a strong man then heat it up first with a torch. Bent tools sometimes are the angels of hope. and watch that distributor like those other dudes said. Cause its no fun when they break. (my buddy's seperated at the shaft.)

costill91Z

got the bolt out, just took some time and elbow grease. anyways, thanks for the help and suggestions. the trans came out no prob and i have the engine supported on the back of the oil pan w/ wood blocks to distr. the weight

the throw out bearing was in like 5 pieces and the pressure plate didn't look too good either. the bell housing comes off next

thanks again

raven0840

I struggled with this too, getting it in and getting it out. During the most recent attempt, I found a relatively painfree way to remove that bolt. I used a long-ish (4"-5")extension then an elbow, then another extension (2"-3"). Practically effortless. I didn't lower the tranny at all.

5678TA

i use a 1ft. extension and the socket.. or was it 2-1ft. extensions? but no tilting needed.. just a long azz extension

RSFreak

Just dropped my T5 in January. Ended up buying a 2ft extension and going at it from the back. Got it out but what a PITA!