Why oh why did I think I could remove my own transmission?

huskylord

huskylord

New member
This will be my outlet to whine.
I have an old 2008 Subaru Tribeca and started a project to replace my torque converter. By far the hardest thing I've ever tried doing to my car as it requires:

1) dropping exhaust (did that but have to deal with some rusty flanges now)
2) removing starter (did that)
3) removing propeller shaft (did that)
4) removing torque converter bolts (did that)
5) now at the stage for removing front drive shaft for both front wheels as its AWD.

This is after two days and now its Monday....back to a 1 car family.
Still need to actually drop the transmission.

Why oh why did I take on such a massive undertaking.

Make this noob feel better please.
 
If there are no transportation worries then it's a good project to try to tackle yourself if you have the means and tools. If there's a time crunch then it becomes more of an issue for DIY.

Good luck and be safe with dropping the transmission :up:
 
DeathKnight said:
If there are no transportation worries then it's a good project to try to tackle yourself if you have the means and tools. If there's a time crunch then it becomes more of an issue for DIY.

Good luck and be safe with dropping the transmission :up:
Click to expand...

Thank you...appreciate the words of encouragement.
 
Sasquach said:
what, mechanic simulator isnt accurate enough practice???

i am dissapoint.
Click to expand...

That is actually a great idea that I'm surprised has progressed more with the DIY crowd. What a resource if only less the game, and more plug in your actual car model, year.
 
huskylord said:
That is actually a great idea that I'm surprised has progressed more with the DIY crowd. What a resource if only less the game, and more plug in your actual car model, year.
Click to expand...

I did a search on AR used in car repair and it seems like there are already apps that will highlight parts on your car just by using your phone that have been around for a few years now and manufacturers are already using them to train mechanics. Once the glasses become cheaper (sorta hard to use both hands when one is holding a phone) I'm sure the DIY crowd will come up with AR modules that will step by step tell you how to fix something on your own car.
 
It's to be expected. Unless it's your full time job to do this type of maintenance and already have the proper tools, expect to spend at least 5x the amount of time it takes for the job (and sometimes 2x the costs).
 
Mahjik said:
It's to be expected. Unless it's your full time job to do this type of maintenance and already have the proper tools, expect to spend at least 5x the amount of time it takes for the job (and sometimes 2x the costs).
Click to expand...

Yup...but at least I'll have all the tools for other folks to borrow for me when they try to tackle this.
 
I've done this job on a couple Subarus, auto and manual. It's a bear. Auto is so much worse than manual too, so heavy. The manual is still heavy as hell, but probably half the weight of the auto.
 
I consider this a learning opportunity!
My tools are growing (but I wish I had a good cordless right angle impact wrench and an extendible, flexhead low profile ratchet)
 
You can do it!!

I was in the same spot back in 2014 when I had to replace the clutch in my car. Only problem was that it's transaxle. Had to pull the entire exhaust (including headers), entire rear suspension cradle assembly, differential, transmission, torque tube, and THEN I could get at the clutch. There was basically nothing left of the car except front suspension and engine. I researched it for a couple months and bought what was needed and then started during the winter. Car was sitting for about 10 months partly due to upgrading things while I was in there, going slow, and being lazy.

Most I had done to a car before this was light exhaust work, brakes, and air intake. If I can do it, you definitely can. :)

wxylWmS.jpg
 
Last edited:
Thanks guys. Today not much progress. Sheared off a bolt on the stabalizer bar, and then found out the pickle pry bar and ball joint separator I rented were too small. Arghh....
 
So I have a question for the pros out there.
I mostly have the transmission separated from the engine. All the transmission bolts are out, we have a transmission jack stand under and ready to go.

But...the last two bottom bolts were not bolts. They were in fact nuts at the end of the bolts that are directionally opposite from the side of all the other transmission bolts. I've tried looking from the engine side if I could find the bolt heads, but just can't find them.

The manual makes no mention of these two bottom bolts...just counts them part of the total. Is this just a case that I have to pull the transmission back enough until they clear length of these two bottom bolts? Or is it likely they are obscured by the engine mounts and this won't get done until I pull them out?

And you're right...the tranny is a beast. Wish I had more warm bodies around to help me handle the this.

So close....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top