removing my t5 from my 85 z28
removing my t5 from my 85 z28
Hi guys im removing my t5 from my car becuase it need a clutch and its leaking really bad from the very front of the tranny. What id like to know is that a common leak on the t5 and whats the best and quickest way of removing this tranny from my car. I'm going to be doing this in my garage with a jack and 4 safety stands i have never removed a t5 from the bottom so any tips or special tools i need would be great. thanks
Joined: Sep 2005
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Transmission: Sometimes
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Re: removing my t5 from my 85 z28
It's easier with 6 stands... 2 under the front, and 2 under the rear, specifically at the chassis where the LCA connects to the "frame". Then, let the rear down as far as it will go until the shocks bottom out, and jack it back up by the pumpkin an inch or so, just enough to lift it up off of the shocks; and put the last 2 stands under the axle tubes. Not, under brackets, not under the shock bolts, not under anything else, but the axle tubes. This takes virtually all the force off of the torque arm, which allows you to easily deal with the bracket for that. Once you get the TA loose from the trans, let it hang out up at th etop of the tunnel, out of the way.
Other than that, not much to tell. Turn all the bolts to the left until they come out.
If your trans leaks out the front, it's probably toast. The usual leak up there is the front countergear bearing, which leaks because the case is stretched, and the hole for hte bearing is therefore oval.

These pics are a couple of the junked-out T-5s I haven't thrown away yet. (or at least, hadn't, at one time; I might have trimmed down the worthless junk I have wasting my space) The top pic is like your trans. Observe the round shiny object (front countergear bearing) partly covered by the larger round rusty thing (clutch gear bearing retainer). It's supposed to be a tight drive fit into the case, which is supposed to seal it. Note the stain below it from the leaking fluid. Note also the "ring" appearance it has; that's from it spinning in the case, from the loose fit, and rubbing against the back of the retainer as it spins.
More than likely, that's what's wrong with yours too. If so, the trans is junk. Time to start looking for a T-56.
Other than that, not much to tell. Turn all the bolts to the left until they come out.
If your trans leaks out the front, it's probably toast. The usual leak up there is the front countergear bearing, which leaks because the case is stretched, and the hole for hte bearing is therefore oval.
These pics are a couple of the junked-out T-5s I haven't thrown away yet. (or at least, hadn't, at one time; I might have trimmed down the worthless junk I have wasting my space) The top pic is like your trans. Observe the round shiny object (front countergear bearing) partly covered by the larger round rusty thing (clutch gear bearing retainer). It's supposed to be a tight drive fit into the case, which is supposed to seal it. Note the stain below it from the leaking fluid. Note also the "ring" appearance it has; that's from it spinning in the case, from the loose fit, and rubbing against the back of the retainer as it spins.
More than likely, that's what's wrong with yours too. If so, the trans is junk. Time to start looking for a T-56.
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From: Readsboro, VT
Car: 85 IROC-Z / 88 GTA
Engine: 403 LSx (Pending) / 355 Tuned Port
Transmission: T56 Magnum (Pending) / T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42 / ?
Re: removing my t5 from my 85 z28
Just the 4 bolts holding the trans to the bell. Once the trans is out, then you unbolt the bell.
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 27,819
Likes: 2,406
Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: removing my t5 from my 85 z28
Reach a little higher.
You'll find a couple of them are easier if you have the Torx thing for your ratchet; there are some casting "features" that will defeat a socket.
You'll find a couple of them are easier if you have the Torx thing for your ratchet; there are some casting "features" that will defeat a socket.
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iTrader: (2)
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 13,579
Likes: 9
From: Readsboro, VT
Car: 85 IROC-Z / 88 GTA
Engine: 403 LSx (Pending) / 355 Tuned Port
Transmission: T56 Magnum (Pending) / T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42 / ?
Re: removing my t5 from my 85 z28
I use standard sockets and extensions. I might use a swivel sometimes too. There is plenty of room up there. You can pull the distributer and let the back of the trans down a little bit more if you don't have enough room.
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From: Byhalia MS, just south of memphis
Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 6.0 LS
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 3.70
Re: removing my t5 from my 85 z28
a little trick to help when going back together, use the clutch tool to do a basic alignment and then when your ready to go in with the trans, get it right to the point where the pilot shaft is at the pilot bushing and have someone lightly push in the clutch as this will allow the clutch to move to the needed spot and the trans should ride right in.
also i sugguest a new pilot bushing and dont use the bolts to pull the trans home if you dont use the clutch pedal method as this may damage something.
also i sugguest a new pilot bushing and dont use the bolts to pull the trans home if you dont use the clutch pedal method as this may damage something.
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 27,819
Likes: 2,406
Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: removing my t5 from my 85 z28
A manual trans can't possibly "slip".
Well.... I should amend that; I had a Muncie once where the shaft part of the clutch gear was twisted out of the gear part, and that ,,,, .... sort of .... slipped ...... for lack of a better word.... but that's the only one I've ever seen do that. But then, I've only seen the innards of a few hundred manual transmissions all told, so I only have a pretty small sample size.
Most likely though, if there's any "slipping" going on, it's the clutch.
Well.... I should amend that; I had a Muncie once where the shaft part of the clutch gear was twisted out of the gear part, and that ,,,, .... sort of .... slipped ...... for lack of a better word.... but that's the only one I've ever seen do that. But then, I've only seen the innards of a few hundred manual transmissions all told, so I only have a pretty small sample size.
Most likely though, if there's any "slipping" going on, it's the clutch.
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