Transmission jack needed?

[suppjc]

Hi all,

I'd like to hear other's experience on clutch/tob replacement diy without a transmission jack. I have 4 jack stands and 2 floor jacks (one small and one big).

I've looked up some threads on DIY processes, and some of them show no dedicated transmission jack but normal floor jacks (at least one to support the engine and the other to support the transmission). Without a transmission jack, is it difficult to lower and handle it by myself? I'm an average guy with average strength (I think).

Also when supporting the engine, some suggested support it on the oil pan, but is it safe to support the engine on the oil pan? This one kinda makes me anxious.


Thank you,


ps. I'm planning to replace my TOB. It starts making a little noise when cold and pedal depressed. When clutch is engaged or when the car warms up more than a few minutes, I don't hear the noise anymore, but it might be safe to replace it, followed by other's experience.

[suppjc]

I found someone else posted diy video on youtube using a floor jack so I think I found my answer haha. I wanted to delete my thread but can't find a button.

[NoHaveMSG]

Just make sure you get the car high enough off the ground to get the transmission out on the jack so you don’t have to slide it. Our transmission is only like 100 lbs. It’s easily doable without a transmission jack.

[suppjc]

Thank you! That's reassuring.

[blsfrs]

Originally Posted by suppjc

Thank you! That's reassuring.

I used this twice. The first time was installing an ACT clutch and the second time was replacing the bustedass ACT clutch.

[Grady]

Yep balance and strap to a normal floor jack works fine. Don’t worry about pulling the transmission out from under the car, drop it down slide it back out of the way. I have had mine out twice with a floor jack and once with a transmission jack. Not much difference in difficulty. Trasmission jack is just safer so you do not have to be as careful.

[Breadman]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

Just make sure you get the car high enough off the ground to get the transmission out on the jack so you don’t have to slide it. Our transmission is only like 100 lbs. It’s easily doable without a transmission jack.

I had this issue with the HF transmission jack and opted to just replace the fork, tob, and clutch plate under the car. Having an additional floor jack was also nice to get the angle correct.

[RedReplicant]

The HF jack makes it so easy, but like the others say, gotta slide the transmission out if you need to replace it too. It's also really difficult to lift the transmission back on to the jack under the car solo if you do take it off the jack.

I've unfortunately had the transmission out of my BRZs over a dozen times in the last two years, rip.

[EndlessAzure]

HF Trans Jack isn't low enough to pull the transmission out of the tunnel when on jack stands. I had to lug the transmission off the trans jack and then drag it on the ground to get it out to work on. Then some gymnastics and stonehenge engineering to get the gearbox back on the trans jack to lift it into the engine.


However, it's way easier to remove and reinstall the gearbox if you have a dedicated trans jack. It's much more stable and secure compared to balancing it on a floor jack.

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by EndlessAzure

HF Trans Jack isn't low enough to pull the transmission out of the tunnel when on jack stands.

How tall are your jack stands?

[EndlessAzure]

Originally Posted by Ohio Enthusiast

How tall are your jack stands?

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-...nds-91760.html

[Wally86]

Originally Posted by EndlessAzure

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-...nds-91760.html

16 3/8" apparently. Makes me feel better about having the quickjack for when the time comes. We'll see if the other 8" is enough to get everything sorted under the car without any stonehenge engineering

[suppjc]

Originally Posted by EndlessAzure

HF Trans Jack isn't low enough to pull the transmission out of the tunnel when on jack stands. I had to lug the transmission off the trans jack and then drag it on the ground to get it out to work on. Then some gymnastics and stonehenge engineering to get the gearbox back on the trans jack to lift it into the engine.


However, it's way easier to remove and reinstall the gearbox if you have a dedicated trans jack. It's much more stable and secure compared to balancing it on a floor jack.

I ended up doing the job with a single floor jack. I was able to finish the job... but the experience was not great lol It made me want a transmission jack or something to securely hold it. Thanks for your feedback.

[EndlessAzure]

Originally Posted by Wally86

16 3/8" apparently. Makes me feel better about having the quickjack for when the time comes. We'll see if the other 8" is enough to get everything sorted under the car without any stonehenge engineering

When I removed an AT from a wrecker, I had to drop the AT gearbox off the jack onto a wooden dolly AND raise at the front jack point with a floor jack (19-7/8" lift height) to get BARELY enough clearance to for the bell housing. The AT was way heavier with more surface contact so I didn't dare try to drag it.


16-3/8" + 8" seems plenty. Doesn't hurt to prepare your own stonehenge engineering. In the grand scheme, it's not hard to do. You just have nowhere near the same body strength/leverage to lift the gearbox if you're lying down and constrained under the chassis.