SEB

iTrader: (12)

Man im pulling my trans & its tough! I got all the bellhousing bolts but the very top bolt.

I have taken 7 1/2inch extensions to get the 15mm socket on that bolt & even just try to turn the extensions with the swival socket on there I cant get any tq on that bolt with out the swival popping off. I have yet to even get the 15mm socket to completely seat & grab properly on the top bolt

What is the best way do get this bolt out & what tools do I need to buy to make this smoother

joecar

Loosen the motor mount bolts, remove lid/intake bellows/duct, remove transmission cross-member, allow motor/trans to tilt such that trans hangs down, be careful that nothing gets crushed between rear of motor and firewall...

this should give you enough clearance to reach the top bolt using an long extension and swivel (i.e. from one side of the trans).

1lejohn

iTrader: (9)

Lay on top of the motor and feel for the bolt head and then use the box end of a gear wrench. You don't have to remove any thing.

mike13

iTrader: (27)

Done this many times and the best way for me is taking off the trans crossmember so the trans sits at a angle, use a 30" or 36" extension with a swivel that has some tape on it at the swivel so it moves but has resisitance, I aim it using a flashlight down the extension from behind the output shaft.

chrs1313

iTrader: (24)

exact way I have done it about 10 times now...

Jays_SSZ28

iTrader: (2)

The passenger side exhaust sometimes rests on the k member, stock or headers.
And the Y pipe has to be disconnected.

Don't even try to get to it from the top.

A swivel socket works better than a swivel with a socket on it. And one solid extension works better than three or more.

mike13

iTrader: (27)

Exactly, spend a little money of you have to and buy one long extension, I'm fortunate in that I can drop the trans without disconnecting the exhaust, honestly I've had more problems with weird stuff like getting the dipstick tube to go back in, finally just went with a Lokar and didn't worry about it.

RENE'S RAGE

iTrader: (96)

A 6pt. 15mm swivel socket is the ticket.

Lt1Porsche

iTrader: (6)

I have solid motor mounts so mine is a little bit different of a situation. I had to lower the engine cradle. removed the furthest ones back and halfway out on the next one and a little less on the next. now with regular rubber mounts its a bit easier.

z99ls1

iTrader: (12)

Yea you have to take the exhaust down. You SHOULD NOT have to loosen your motor mount bolts. Disconect everything and all the crossmembers and get a long extension and a swivel and go back by the tellhousing and get it loose. It is a bitch, but you can get it done.

flippincamaro

iTrader: (23)

I always do it just like Mike13!! He is correct an seems to be easiest way, We always use a ratchet with a breaker bar instead of airtools on that top bolt.

96TransAmboosted

iTrader: (8)

Snap on swivel socket is the best way!

Bobsmyuncle

iTrader: (32)

it literally takes 30 second when u do it from the top. i have had to pull ~ 15 of these outta fbods and the only time i tried getting it from the bottom was the first one. and even then, ur not gonna get it back in. lol do it from the top, its easy as pie!

mike13

iTrader: (27)

If you do it from the top, be VERY careful of the oil pressure sending unit, they will crack if any tension is placed on it from pulling on wire bundles or hoses.

Jeremy@RPMTransmissions

iTrader: (12)

Like stated, a 15mm Snap-on swivle socket and a lot of extensions. Does your car have long tubes on it? You might have to pull the headers loose to let the engine drop back far enough to get to the top bolt easily.

Jays_SSZ28

iTrader: (2)

I hope the OP's car has 15mm bolts, both my cars have 13mm.

got-a-ls1

iTrader: (12)

i found the top bolt one of the easier bolts to get out... the 2nd or 3rd bolt up on the drivers side was the biggest bastid of them all... swivel socket got it started but i couldnt loosen it all the way before the swivel socket was hitting the floorboard (even while prying the trans down with a prybar) and had to loosen it with the tip of my finger to get it out. that bolt got lost soon after...

also I used a bunch of short extensions(3"-10") and found that i think it worked better for me then just one long one. With all the short extension you will get and arch that almost follows the trans tunnel and that actually allows you to get a more square shot on the bolt at the top with the swivel. worked great for me.

SEB

iTrader: (12)

Well I just took the Intake off! It took like 15 mins to take it off & just got it from the top. It was easy as pie then LOL

Now the next bolt down from the very top Bolt. The one on the Drivers side was NO JOKE! Took me forever. I got it with a swivel socket directly under it & just held the extenesion when I turned it.

Now please tell me putting it back in is easier!

Monty2u

Joecar has the right idea. I just pulled a 4L60 from a 98 Trans Am. Drop the trans cross member, take the bolts from the torque arm, use a impact swivel that has a slightly longer shank, put a little tape on the socket to keep it from having too mch wobble, a 36 inch extension with a 3/8 drive ratchet to break it loose then use the air ratchet. I had a wanna be mechanic try it for 45 min before I finally had to take it out. I also used the small flash light to put the socket on the bolt. Good Luck

BLWN1

iTrader: (6)

Makes me wanna get back into a fox body, damn I dread to put them back in....