Drop the transmission from underneath or pull it out with the engine? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Graplr · #1 07-10-2010, 03:01 PM

I am pulling my transmission to swap in another one. I do not need to pull the engine but am wondering if it may be easier to pull it out the front along with the engine.

So, should I drop the tranny by itself or pull it out along with the engine?

I'm a little worried about working underneath a car just on stands. I've pulled the engine and tranny out together before but I have never just dropped the tranny.

What are your thoughts?

This is for my 84 300SD.

Ryan

Matt L · #2 07-10-2010, 03:04 PM

I've never pulled an engine to remove a transmission. Too much extra stuff to disconnect and reconnect.

I have removed engines with the transmission attached, even though the transmission didn't need service. On some vehicles, it's easier that way. I've also removed engines while leaving the transmission in the vehicle. Usually because it's impossible to remove them as a pair (engine too heavy in one case, no room to remove from a van in another).

vtmbz · #3 07-10-2010, 03:48 PM

I've done both ways: harder physically to pull trans from under car on jackstands (I dont have a lift), but more technically difficult to pull the engine and get everything reattached correctly afterwards.

charmalu · #4 07-10-2010, 03:57 PM

I have pulled the engine out of our 85 300D twice. each time was trans/eng together. for me, much easier. that automatic is one heavy beast.

You will need an engine tilter with yor hoist, because it has to be lifted fairly high.

Now you would need a transmission jack to lower the auto trans. if you want to seperate and pull each individually.
Pulling a 4-spd out of a 240, it can be man handled down pretty easy, those weigh about 54 lbs.

Pulling just the engine, the hardest part would be getting to some of the bolts between the eng and trans. once that is done, then it is more or less lifting the eng straight up.

I have pulled 5 engines at PNP, and all have been eng/trans together. then jacks aren`t allowed there.

Yeah I get a little nervous too with the car on jack stands, and more so w/o the wheels attached. especially here in earth quake country.

Charlie

Fattyman · #5 07-10-2010, 04:50 PM

I would just pull the tranny from underneath. Get the car up as high as you can on 4 jack stands. You'll need the room to drag it out from underneath. The only down side to this method is the dipstick. It's pretty long and may hang up on something. Somebody help me here because I'm not sure if you can easily remove the dipstick tube from the tranny or not. I have a 4 speed. You'll have to get the exhaust pipe out of the way too. Mark the driveshaft halves where they join so you can put them back it the same place if you end up separating them. The driveshaft is balanced as a unit. Disconnect the hard fluid lines that go forward to the radiator both at the tranny and where they are mounted to the engine and let them sit on the crossmember out of the way. Use a floor jack or an engine support from the top to keep the back side of the motor from sagging down. If you have a level smooth surface to work on it will make life safer and easier as well. After all that some might say to remove the tranny with the motor since your sooo close anyway but more work is more work and why go there if you don't have to. What is easier for you to get? An engine hoist with a load leveler or a floor jack to hold the tranny with? Oh, get help holding it under there because as someone has said "It's Heavy!"

Graplr · #6 07-10-2010, 05:49 PM

I started doing the work from underneath. I think I will continue taking it out that way. It does seem like less work. I will have to rent/buy a tranny jack.

Wish me luck!

charmalu · #7 07-10-2010, 06:52 PM

there is a bolt bracket on the back of the intake manifold that holds the top of the dip stick tube.

the lower end where it fits into the transmission has a small hex bolt that screws into the transmission. It has a "O" ring on the tube to give it a seal & snug fit. just pull it up.

Be sure to clean the area real good so no grit dumps into the transmission.

Charlie

4x4_Welder · #8 07-10-2010, 08:40 PM

I pulled mine from underneath, no jackstands- I have a pair of heavy truck brake drums, just jacked the car up and set the tires on the wheel flange area. They are about 12" deep, plenty of room with the dipstick removed. It's a good idea to fish the cable down below the frame so you don't damage it while the transmission is coming down.

Fattyman · #9 07-10-2010, 08:58 PM

which cable?

winmutt · #10 07-10-2010, 09:45 PM

Bowden maybe? Dont forget to unhook the speedo. I would never take out an engine to get the transmission, way more work. 2' or so of extensions for the bellhousing bolts, its a pretty easy job on an auto. I did not use a transjack. I used a normal jack with the cup removed, a 2x6 for a base and a ratcheting strap wrapped around twice in a x formation. Trans jack takes like 4"" additional height over this, I have 6ton jack stands that sit up pretty heigh and could not get a trans jack underneath.

The manual trans I just man handle in there but lining up the splines is a pita.

69shovlhed · #11 07-10-2010, 11:23 PM

i've pulled many trans using a floor jack w/ a board on the cup to keep from denting the pan. if stands scare you, use ramps. but good stands ain't gonna fail. maybe some may-pop chinese crap will fail.

jride100 · #12 07-11-2010, 01:16 AM

I have pulled two transmissions using a hydraulic motorcycle lift. It has worked very well. It is low profile and has a wide surface onto which you can place the trans. Use wedges and shims to get the exact alignment correct when re-bolting the transmission to the engine.

#13 07-11-2010, 06:33 AM

The only car I've ever found it easier to pull the engine to remove the transmssion is a 240D, but that was before I had a two post lift and a transmission jack.

It depends alot on what equipment you have to work with, but it's hard to imagine that it would be easier to pull the engine/transmission just to change the transmsiion.

Good luck with it.

vstech · #14 07-11-2010, 07:12 AM

I've done it both ways, transmission way easier to remove than engine trans combo.
I second the don't buy a transmission jack! unless you have some SERIOUS jack stands, you ain't gonna get the transmission out on one.
both the motorcycle jack and the board on the floor jack are good options.
odds are good you have normal 6 ton stands (please don't tell me you are using 3 ton models...) I have a set of 12 ton models, and they are JUST barely high enough to get the trans out on the jack... I ususally have to pull it down on the jack, then slide it onto a creeper to get the trans out from under the car.
heck, on my van, even the creeper was too tall to get the trans out. had to slide it out on the floor, but that was before I got the 12 ton stands...