I bought a 98 avenger that didn't run. Told the timing belt was bad. Well it was because of the front camshaft seizing in it's bearing. So now it appears that a motor change out is going to be my only option. My Chilton says the transaxle needs removed before the motor can come out, is this the case? I don't have a full shop so working above deck is easier than working below.
If it means removing the transaxle, this post may turn into a for sale ad!

Any quick insight would help!

Thanks guys, these are cool looking vehicles.

 

The transaxle should just pop off....by pop off, I mean a little convincing, lol.
They really aren't that hard to take off. You disconnect from the suspension components, take a pry bar or large strong flathead and carefully pry it out of it's socket.
You don't even have to remove them from the hubs, you just have to remove the hubs from the rest of the suspension to get enough free movement of the axles. Enough to move the axles out of the tranny.

 

I know I can get the axles out, maybe I wasn't clear. I just need to know IF I need to be working underneath the car to remove the transmission, before pulling the motor out from above. Is there enough room to slide the motor out by unbolting it above, or do I need to follow my manual and unbolt/drop down the transmission/axle assembly before pulling the motor out the top?

 

I've done it both ways ... it's easier out the bottom but not if you don't have the facility ... it can be unbolted and removed from the motor but it's hard to get back in ...

 

meaning the motor can be pulled out the top with the transaxle/transmission still bolted into the vehicle?

 

I seperated it in the car ... unsure if you could get them out together my cherrypicker was wobbly on just the motor ...

 

thanks for the help. I'll be unbolting the two and pulling the motor solo!!!!!!