Finally got the damn bolt out, and the coupler still won't budge....I can slide the tranny shaft out of the back of the coupler until the tranny hits the spare tire well by using a big bar between it and the TT bellhousing, but no amount of prying or wacking with a hammer, penetrating oil or torch is letting me slide the coupler back on the tranny shaft like it needs so I can pull it out. Somebody please help me before I destroy this car in a fit of rage.

 

Lower the rear suspension and lower the transmission until it clears the spare tire well.

 

If the tranny is attached to the torque tube I would be extremely careful with that approach not to tilt the engine too much and make some damage on it or other components in the engine bay.

 

I've been in your shoes. The transaxle will not come out without hitting the spare tire tub even with the suspension dropped. At least that was my experience. The coupler has to come off.


Jeff

 

take a dremel tool, cut the bolt through the slot in the square block. Put a pry bar into that slot and pry the square block apart as far as you can so the bolt can clear the groove in the shaft, if that doen't work, cut the square block so you can snap off the part with the bolt in it.

 

I think he said he got the bolt out already.

But I too was going to suggest sticking a screwdriver or something into the slot in the coupler to force it open a little bit - that might free it up.

 

There may be binding between the two shafts. If the tranny was loosened it will tend to bend the coupling downward, to counter that re-tighten the transaxle to torque tube bolts or apply an upward pressure to the underside of the transaxle by propping it up.

 

from another thread, I think the coupler is now removed and the trans is out. An interesting question is how did the corrosion get in there in the first place - I have an original car and there is no corrosion at all on these shafts - maybe the cover over the access hole is missing? for sure, when reassembling, use some kind of protectant or anti-seize, at least.

 

Just wanted to close this loop. Not sure if I ever explained why the trans had to come out in the first place, it was due to a broken boss where the shifter pivot point bolts to the case. the threads pulled right out and the boss broke flush with the case. I had the case welded and its now back in the car, totally slathered in anti-seize because I'll be damned if there is ever a round two of this ordeal.