MTEC shift springs

[Deathalo]

I just put my Mtec springs in yesterday and it was NOT a 30 minute project. I did it while changing my diff and tranny fluid and first I took out the hex bolt, which was easy just took a while to unscrew with such small range of movement. Then I got up there and used all my strength on my torque wrench to move the detent bolt out. Once out I cleaned the green thread locker off the bolt and put in the spring, went to go screw in and this is where things went bad.

Like @Malt, I spent over 3 HOURS getting this bolt in there, and like his picture showed, the first couple of threads were covered in this hard green gunk that just prevented me from hand tightening the thing in at all. I would get it just started a few times, and couldn't get it to budge, so I'd bring in the socket wrench and it would just knock it right out of the threads. Over and over this went on and I got so frustrated and afraid that I had just fucked up my transmission. I was worried that the threads were getting too stripped and that I would not have a car to go to work the next day. I finally saw this post and got my phone up there to take a video of all the gunk, then I got goof-off and carb cleaner and tried to loosen it up. After picking it off slowly with a thumb tack I was finally able to screw it in with the help of grippy latex gloves, deep enough where it didn't get knocked out by my socket wrench. I was almost crying with relief. What a complete nightmare that was, sure the gearbox feels nice, and every shift "clicks" in there with no mush, but damn if I had known that was going to happen I wouldn't have bothered.

Let this be a warning to all who attempt, get ready for a bad time. Also, do this on a day where you won't need your car that day or the next, just in case you have to sleep on it, I couldn't, so I had to work tired and sore till I got it. Give yourself at least 3 hours JUST FOR THIS, and scrape out every bit of green loctite you can before attempting to screw in, I had to literally pick away at it like dried up rock candy, even though I couldn't see the bottom threads from under the car. Use grippy gloves, nitrile gloves are good and give great dexterity. Work it in by hand far enough where you can't knock it out before going to your socket or it will just dislodge it. Prepare to have a bad time.

[protpibe]

I have nightmares of getting that 27mm bolt back on. After at least an hour of frustration, I managed to get it back on. I didn't realize it was loctite making it a pain in the ass, so I did it without cleaning anything off.

I would strongly suggest taking your time and don't force anything. If you mess anything up on the transmission housing, you'll be SOL.

[twag4]

I had green loctite all over mine too. The install was super easy and quick for me, less than 30 minutes. I minimally cleaned the threads, and got it restarted on my second attempt. If you cannot turn it by hand a couple of full turns, it is cross-threaded. Don't try to force it with a wrench or socket. It screws in the hole at exactly 90 degrees to the side of the transmission. If you orient the threads correctly, no problem.

[Malt]

Originally Posted by Deathalo

I just put my Mtec springs in yesterday and it was NOT a 30 minute project. I did it while changing my diff and tranny fluid and first I took out the hex bolt, which was easy just took a while to unscrew with such small range of movement. Then I got up there and used all my strength on my torque wrench to move the detent bolt out. Once out I cleaned the green thread locker off the bolt and put in the spring, went to go screw in and this is where things went bad.

Like @Malt, I spent over 3 HOURS getting this bolt in there, and like his picture showed, the first couple of threads were covered in this hard green gunk that just prevented me from hand tightening the thing in at all. I would get it just started a few times, and couldn't get it to budge, so I'd bring in the socket wrench and it would just knock it right out of the threads. Over and over this went on and I got so frustrated and afraid that I had just fucked up my transmission. I was worried that the threads were getting too stripped and that I would not have a car to go to work the next day. I finally saw this post and got my phone up there to take a video of all the gunk, then I got goof-off and carb cleaner and tried to loosen it up. After picking it off slowly with a thumb tack I was finally able to screw it in with the help of grippy latex gloves, deep enough where it didn't get knocked out by my socket wrench. I was almost crying with relief. What a complete nightmare that was, sure the gearbox feels nice, and every shift "clicks" in there with no mush, but damn if I had known that was going to happen I wouldn't have bothered.

Let this be a warning to all who attempt, get ready for a bad time. Also, do this on a day where you won't need your car that day or the next, just in case you have to sleep on it, I couldn't, so I had to work tired and sore till I got it. Give yourself at least 3 hours JUST FOR THIS, and scrape out every bit of green loctite you can before attempting to screw in, I had to literally pick away at it like dried up rock candy, even though I couldn't see the bottom threads from under the car. Use grippy gloves, nitrile gloves are good and give great dexterity. Work it in by hand far enough where you can't knock it out before going to your socket or it will just dislodge it. Prepare to have a bad time.

Glad you got it on. I don't remember how long it took me to get it thread back, but the car was on jack stands for two days while I was doing that and other installs. I wish I had a pair of nitril gloves like had, it would of saved my hands from the multiple cuts and scrapes from the roughness of the transmission housing.

Like you noted, anyone who does this, do yourself a favor. Have a can of brake cleaner, rags, and a pick set ready before you start this. You may end up lucky and just get it threaded right away or you may end up like me and spend hours on this. I can't remember if I had it in neutral when I started the install but I've read that it significantly eases the installation. Also, I just read a post about someone who seriously crossed threaded/ruined the threads on his transmission doing this install. I can only assume it was because he tried to use a socket before getting it hand threaded. I would not suggest anyone make that same mistake. ALWAYS hand thread stuff like this on first before wrenching on it or you are risking multiple hundreds of dollars in repairs.

Originally Posted by twag4

I had green loctite all over mine too. The install was super easy and quick for me, less than 30 minutes. I minimally cleaned the threads, and got it restarted on my second attempt. If you cannot turn it by hand a couple of full turns, it is cross-threaded. Don't try to force it with a wrench or socket. It screws in the hole at exactly 90 degrees to the side of the transmission. If you orient the threads correctly, no problem.

You suggestion about hand threading is golden. People need to take this advice and follow it on everything. As for how long it took you, looks like you either got lucky or I wasn't. There was a massive amount of locktite on my threads and no matter how I positioned the bolt it wasn't going on without some major cleaning of the threads.

[twag4]

Malt, I did use a .45 caliber pistol bore brush to clean the loctite out of the threads. Took maybe 10 minutes to clean out using that brush. As far as breaking the 27mm fitting loose, a breakover bar and good positioning for leverage was the ticket.

[Deathalo]

Originally Posted by twag4

I had green loctite all over mine too. The install was super easy and quick for me, less than 30 minutes. I minimally cleaned the threads, and got it restarted on my second attempt. If you cannot turn it by hand a couple of full turns, it is cross-threaded. Don't try to force it with a wrench or socket. It screws in the hole at exactly 90 degrees to the side of the transmission. If you orient the threads correctly, no problem.

The hole is definitely not 90 degrees from down, that'd put it facing straight out to the side, it's probably closer to 45 or 60 degrees and maybe even angled forward a bit. It's an odd angle that makes this install even tougher, and you definitely got lucky.

[twag4]

Originally Posted by Deathalo

The hole is definitely not 90 degrees from down, that'd put it facing straight out to the side, it's probably closer to 45 or 60 degrees and maybe even angled forward a bit. It's an odd angle that makes this install even tougher, and you definitely got lucky.

Didn't say 90 degrees from down. My quote doesn't say that. If you position the fitting at a 90 degree angle to the surface the threaded hole goes into, then it will go in straight. Not luck, experience with many such things. Sorry my original statement was confusing. It is a tough area to work in, but a simple install nonetheless. Just take time and don't force it.

[SirBrass]

Originally Posted by grostoine

Do you have any feedback on these? : http://ft86speedfactory.com/mtec-shi...g-kit-949.html

Does it make a real difference?

I put mine in a little over a week ago and YES they make a difference. A very nice difference, in fact. Much easier to get to the gates.

[355rockit]

Loctite can be removed using Acetone to dissolve/loosen it and then a wipe off. You can also use Isopropyl alchohol, but is not a good as Acetone. You have to be very careful and have plenty of air circulation.

[JS + BRZ]

Man.. reading the topic scares me away to get this. haha

Anyone in Socal area would help me out installing this? I'll give you a case of beer.

[SirBrass]

Originally Posted by JS + BRZ

Man.. reading the topic scares me away to get this. haha

Anyone in Socal area would help me out installing this? I'll give you a case of beer.

It's not too bad. @Cross helped me install my shift springs, and we got it done in about an hour.

[whitefrs]

just order a set...

i should be doing it soon

[Mr.]

I had my installed within less then an hour. It turned out great and no problem at all. You might have some trouble passenger side. This is one of my must have MODS if there is a list out there. Easy and effective.

[twag4]

Originally Posted by JS + BRZ

Man.. reading the topic scares me away to get this. haha

Anyone in Socal area would help me out installing this? I'll give you a case of beer.

Don't be afraid. It isn't that bad. Just take your time, and clean the threads of the larger fitting. You CAN do it!