Okay, so.. I've spent about 2 days now trying to get my transmission out of my R/T. I've taken down everything I'm being told to, and what not.. but where most manuals say to pop off the 'clutch fork' and the 'clutch release bearing', it's just not having it.. even then, I'm still wiggling the hell outta the trans, and it pulls about 1/2" away from the motor, but no more than that.

I'm mainly trying to get to the clutch so I can replace it and get my car running.. If anyone has some tips, or links to a walk-through on the removal, that would be very helpful. I'm tired of not being able to get it off, and on top of that, I'm paying $42/day for my lift stall.

 

Did you remove the inspection cover tin ? The release bearing is inside the trans and you can't access it until the trans is out.

 

The little plate on the motor side of the trans? ..I did remove it, but all i see is the opposite side of the flywheel.. nothing I can do from there.

The manual says to remove the drain boot on the bottom, and with a flat tip screwdriver I can push the release bearing.. but it's not working.

 

I can see the bearing from the drain hole on the bottom, but even with a pry bar, I can't get that bearing released.. and that is one of the steps in order to "remove" the trans.

 

? The release bearing is inside the transmission. It is not removed until you pull the trans out. Would you post some pictures, because what you are saying doesn't make any sense. I just pulled my trans on my Stratus (my first trans R&R) and it went off without a hitch. IDK what you got hanging up. Your not hitting the crossmember or something like that? You pulled the axle shafts first right?

 

CLUTCH RELEASE BEARING DISENGAGEMENT
1. Remove the service hole plug at the clutch housing.
2. Insert a flat-tipped screwdriver into space between the
release bearing and the wedge collar while pushing the
release fork to the "A" direction by hand slightly.
CAUTION
Do not insert the screwdriver before pushing the release
fork to the "A" direction.
3. Disengage the wedge collar from the release bearing by
using the flat-tipped screwdriver to pry gently (twisting the
screwdriver handle 90 degree)


That is waht my book says.. I cant find a picture of it, but if you go here to this link, it will tell you all about it.. <B> 22A-18</B> is the section where it shows/tells about my problem.. Apparently it is removed before the transmission is out. Otherwise, I wouldn't be trying through a "service hole" and not an inspection plate.

 

Also, I've got everything removed. Wheels, hubs, axles, struts, lower crossmember, starter, clutch release cylinder, 3 mounts (trans side), exhaust.. Still no luck..

 

I read the directions and looked at the factory service manual. That's the weirdest thing I've ever seen. Makes no sense to me. You'll need to make sure the trans is firmly bolted to the engine before your try releasing the wedge so there is no tension on the bearing.

 

Yes, it is weird.. but that's what it says. DO you have another way of removing the trans maybe?
I'll head back soon to bolt it back up and hopefully get that off.. I'm not understanding the clutch fork part though... that's confusing me too.

 

Here's a pic of the transmission as you're looking at it from under the front bumper, you will see the small drain (service) hole, where I am supposed to reach the clutch release bearing with the flat head:


..and here's the inside of that drain (service) hole, I managed to get my phone just right, and that's the inside:

^ the 2nd pic, is rotated wrong, it should be about 90 degrees clockwise to be proper.. but you get the gist.