dropping the tranny Options

[ranta18]

Netter, could you explain which procedure you are talking about.

[eclipgst]

Amen, Ranta. Thats all i have to say, Amen!

[wortdog]

I need a 32mm for the king nut, correct?

Nick if you pull out the axles as per the Vfaq's instructions you will have to get an alignment after we put everything back together.

This is incorrect, on a DSM, there's no eccentric bolt for setting camber like on a 3/S. The DSM bolts are just normal bolts.

You will not have to get an alignment done after the VFAQ axle popping procedure.

[MidwestDSM]

Here goes nothing....expect to see "WTF do I do next?" posts all day long, because I am trying to do this thing by myself. Hopefully it doesn't start to rain again, or else I guess I'm getting wet.

[xian 1g]

trust wort's word... unless he tells you that the rubber spacing around the turbo charger never gets sucked in... lol...

[xian 1g]

oh yeah, good luck...

[MidwestDSM]

got a little wet, but I'm living. After going all over town and wasting 2 hours, I finally found a place that carried a 1/2inch drive 32mm socket to get the castle nuts off. Then it rained. I got wet. I got the short halfshaft off....but I am having a lot of trouble getting the long one out. It just doesn't seem to want to come out of the tranny, and I can't get it to come out of the hub either while the hub is still attatched. Do I just need to pull the whole hub off to get this out? I know me and KOU did last time, but that was simply because the shaft was siezed to it and we had to replace the whole thing. Any quick insight while I am taking a breather?

[KOU In3]

Try carefully pounding a large flat bladed screwdriver between the half-shaft and the tranny.

[MidwestDSM]

Damn Netter locked all the tools in his room when he left for Canada. No hammer, no good screwdriver. I used a 2/4 and a baseball bat (staying true to cheap DSM style) to pound the shafts lose from the hubs...and I don't think I will have room to swing the bat under the car. Maybe I'll just go buy a damn screwdriver.


Back to work....I'll update my progress (or lack thereof) later.

[MidwestDSM]

Raining again, and the little sunlight I had is gone. I don't have any lights outside except tiki torches, and they won't really help in the rain. I can't get the long halfshaft out. It won't budge. I tried a screwdriver and a hammer, borrowed from the neighbor, and it isn't going anywhere. I pulled off the rotor and caliper, tried just pulling off the whole damn thing, but it won't budge either, because it still has the halfshaft partway in it. I don't have the goddamn tools that I need, and have been using a pair of vicegrips and a baseball bat to get almost every bolt I need off, because I only have like 4 sockets, two of which are useful (I think).

So pretty much, I'm done for the day. Or maybe done period untill I can get some tools and somebody who has a clue what they are doing to come and help me. I've been at this for like 6 hours now, and the only things I have accomplished are: pulling the battery and airbox bullshit, taking off the linkage and a couple sensors, jacking the car up, pulling the wheels, taking off a bunch of shit that should have never needed to be taken off, and getting out one halfshaft.
The only good thing that came from my day (possibly) is that I called autozone and advanced auto, and they both told me the alignment tool and throw out bearing are the exact same for all 3 models (1.8, 2.0nt, and 2.0T). I already have these parts. It means I don't have to buy them now. At least I hope not, because they all had the same parts numbers in thier computers. I am thinking if they both told me this, its probably true.

So god dammit, I guess the bottom line is that I might just come to the cookout tommorow anyways, see if JVB wants to come out with me and drive, and see you guys, because I sure as hell don't forsee me finishing this shit by myself anytime soon. My less than below average mechanics skills are finally started to shine through I think.

[MidwestDSM]

So.......anyone wanna come help and possibly bring the tools for the job? I am such a noob when it comes to working on my own car it sickens me, but I am just afraid I am going to end up the with car jacked up, torn apart, and still not be able to drop the thing.

holy shit I was so right on its scary.

[xian 1g]

hey nick, don't give up. keep at it! It can be frustrating to work in less than prime condition, with out the proper tools... but don't give up!

[Forcus]

That sux man. PM me with your phone number I might be able to help out tomorrow morning. Hey I don't k now about FWD's but on the AWD when I did my front halfshafts the pass side popped out with a jab and pry of a big ass flathead screwdriver. The driver's side had a support that unbolted from the block with two or three bolts. Then same thing. Big ass screwdriver, quick pop.

[KOU In3]

The long FWD halfshaft "shouldn't" have a carrier bearing to unbolt from the block before popping it out. The big screw driver and 3 pound sledge haven't failed me before.

Are you sure that you've unbolted the suspension pieces to give you the play you need for that halfshaft to pull out of the tranny?

[Forcus]

The long FWD halfshaft "shouldn't" have a carrier bearing to unbolt from the block before popping it out. The big screw driver and 3 pound sledge haven't failed me before.

Are you sure that you've unbolted the suspension pieces to give you the play you need for that halfshaft to pull out of the tranny?

My fault. I wasnt sure if the FWD and AWD were the same setup in front.

I think when I did mine (5 or more years ago) all I did was unbolt the spindle and strut housing and swivelled everything down.

[SCCA Stang]

Are you sure that you've unbolted the suspension pieces to give you the play you need for that halfshaft to pull out of the tranny?

he's talkin about the two 17mm bolts that bolt the strut to the spindle, I think

I think when I did mine (5 or more years ago) all I did was unbolt the spindle and strut housing and swivelled everything down.

thats what I did on mine recently

[MidwestDSM]

The long FWD halfshaft "shouldn't" have a carrier bearing to unbolt from the block before popping it out.  The big screw driver and 3 pound sledge haven't failed me before.

Are you sure that you've unbolted the suspension pieces to give you the play you need for that halfshaft to pull out of the tranny?

yes I did, and I pulled the strut to the side so the part that the bolts go into wouldn't be in the way of the halfshaft. Didn't matter, I still don't have enough play to get it out. Even unbolted the bolt to the tie-rod end so I could possibly pull the whole thing up, took off the caliper and rotor so they wouldn't be in the way...nothing. Still won't move far enough to come out. I was jabbing, twisting, pulling for 45 minutes. Tried to bust it loose with a screwdriver. No cigar. Maybe I am just an idiot and going about this all wrong, but nothing really seems to be working all that well.

And thanks for the offer Forcus, but I have to work from 8-3 tommorow, then I am either going to mess with this car more and see if I can make some kind of progress, or just say the hell with it and go to the cookout.

This is SO damn frustrating. I am really tired of not having a vehicle to drive at all, and I am sure my roommates are tired of taking me and picking me up from work 5 days a week, and lending me thier vehicles to run errands and pay bills. Hell, I am tired of having two broken cars sitting in my driveway that I am paying insurance on. Its just a major pain in the ass.

[xian 1g]

sounds like you need a bigger turbo... a turbo big enough for two cars. have you tried that yet? j/k.

[MidwestDSM]

I need a damn miracle.
I think I'm saying the hell with the car today. Just gonna lift alot, relieve some stress, and see if I can bum a ride to the cookout.

[MidwestDSM]

change of plans, gonna do a little wrenching now and maybe come out to the cookout with JVB, cause the lady doesn't feel like doing shit. If any of you Champaign folk wanna stop on by on your way over feel free.