Motor Pulling Question.

[WTFestiva]

Hey guys. So I'm currently stripping apart another festiva. its a red 92 GL W/AC. I've got all the mounts, wiring, coolant/AC lines off, but when pulling the motor this time, the axles are keeping me from going up. Last time (with the rally car) these things just came out of the transmission when we jacked it up on a cherry picker. Was that just a fluke? do I need to do something with the hubs? everything is loose except for the axles, which worries me since I need the transmission. Could it be that it's in gear? I havent checked that yet and its too dark to try. Any insight appreiated, thanks in advance.

[Zanzer]

Are you trying to pull the engine separately from the transmission or are you trying to pull both the engine and transmission together with the axles still attached?

Sorry, after reading your post 3 times I'm still just a little confused on what you're actually trying to do

[TominMO]

I think that was a fluke. At least separate them from the hubs, and support them as you pull the motor/tranny. Probably easiest if you at least get the pass. side axle out of the tranny first. Don't take them both out tho! You may well experience the dreaded spider-gear drop. Leave the driver's side axle in, and just tie it to the tranny to support it.

[Zanzer]

Ya, If you're wanting the axles to just "pop out" while pulling everything you definitely got lucky!

I've found it easiest to just pull both axles and then lift everything out. If you're worried about it dropping the spiders you can stick the stub end of an old axle in the transmission or pretty much anything that will fit through the hole in the diff to keep the spiders in place.

As for the hubs, you can pull the outbaord end of the axle out of the hub if you disconnect the tie rod end and turn the knuckle to the farthest end of it's travel. It's a close fit but you can push the axle through the hub without having to disconnect it from the LCA or anything else.

[WTFestiva]

To clarify, last time I went to the shop and pulled the motor it seems as if i just disconnected electrical, gas, coolant, and exhaust lines, and was able to pull the motor out. This time it seems the axles are hindering my progress, that's why I was asking, it seemed, different...

Alright, it's always best to clarify. so I need to disconnect the axles from the hubs, but not both, and tie them all to the transmission and support those as I pull it? Sorry if this sounds like a noob question, I know what to do with it once it's out of the car lol.

My friend must've done something with the axles last time when we were pulling the b3 from the rally car the first time... Since I'm basically dismantleing this thing down to the bare frame, I'll likely be posting a for sale part out thread soon when I can find out what's still usable, and what I don't need as rally car parts.

[Zanzer]

If you're pulling the motor and transmission together, I find it best to remove the axles from both the knuckles and transmission. Knuckles first then pop them out of the gear box. It makes it much easier to just lift everything straight out of the bay without the axles trying to hang on stuff. If you're worried about dropping spiders, refer to my previous post. I've never had an issue with it and I've removed many engines and trans-axles....but some have, so better to be safe than sorry if it's a concern.

If you're trying to remove the engine while leaving the trans in place: Sometimes the inboard end of the drivers side axle has a tendency to hang on the shim plate that's bolted between the engine and trans. Turn the axle until one of the 3 flat sides of the triangular shaped axle end faces the shim plate.

[denguy]

If you have both axles out, the trans in gear, and you spin the tranny input shaft, the side gears that the axles came out of will fall out of place in the differential. Then you will have take apart the whole trans to get them and those cupped steel spacers back where they belong. I use 2 pieces of pvc pipe, 7/8" dia. I think, stuck in the gears to keep them in place. I still keep my hands off the input shaft, though.