Gearbox install tips - on the ground

[kyle-reece]

Hey guys just struggling to get my gearbox back into my vr4. Almost seems impossible without a hoist or engine hoist.

I've tried using a trolley jack but I can't seem to wriggle the box around enough to stop it hitting the rear subframe. I've tried bench pressing the gearbox from underneath but still nothing

Just wondering what specific angle does the box need to go in? Should I also remove the passenger side axle?

Any suggestions appreciated thanks.

 

[ENGINR]

Definitely remove the drive-shafts. Have you got the motor supported on an engine brace? It certainly helps having the ability to manipulate the angle of the engine to help align the input shaft.

 

[Cranked]

Bench press that mo fo

 

[evo-gsr]

Whiskey....cursing....then some more whiskey. And then a few threats towards the car and where it will end up...
Job done.

 

[ENGINR]

 

[blackvr]

When we were using stock boxes in our Rally car, changing boxes was a regular thing in Service park. We used a trolley jack to manoeuvre it up if there were no he men service boys around. What helped were a couple of 100mm long 10 x 1.25 bolts. We used these to act as guides on the back of the block to help slide the gearbox back on square and into the clutch and block dowels.It was a lot easier than trying to use the stock bell housing bolts !

 

[evo-gsr]

Thats an awesome tip ^ !

 

[bazeng]

Yes driveshaft out! Brackets and anything you can remove also out. make sure you don't hang the box off the clutch plate. Ensure the box is always supported by the jack OR dowels / bolts.

 

[Starion VR4]

From memory we had to rotate the G'Box to get it in.. was a bitch to do.

 

[kyle-reece]

Yeah I seem to not be getting the box at the right angle. It loves getting stuck on the rear subframe haha

 

[White Knight]

Ha ha ha, good times are remembered here... I have dine this too many times!
I found that having the gearbox slightly rotated towards the radiator initially (to clear that subframe) and then rotate back once cleared is a huge help. And also, having the passenger side of the car slightly higher than the drivers side helps with alignment as well. Sometimes you get it first go, sometimes more jiggling than a Victoria Secret model is required. I usually do it with the passenger driveshaft in place myself, with the wheels off the ground it will generally locate on the spine easily enough anyway.
Best of luck bud.

 

[kyle-reece]

Cheers mate! I'll give that a crack this arvo

 

[bazeng]

Yes. The rear is the issue. Angle up, get the box to clear then rotate back. Much easier with an engine hoist.

 

[Ross Cox]

I have used a scissors jack behind the block positioned about the starter motor and just squeezed the block forward a bit. I generally have the radiator out.
Trolley jack under gearbox and a bottle jack under the block. There seems to be a combination of angles and it slides right in.
Cheers
Ross
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkVGou_k2BQ
This bloke has the right idea!!