Transaxle Removal

Yes Cliff, you can remove the transaxle without removing the motor! Make sure you dis-connect the clutch slave unit, speedo, transaxle rear mounts, half shafts, starter and all bell housing bolts. Do not forget that some Pantera's have three bell housing bolts at the very bottom of the bell housing. You can not see these bolts unless you get underneath the car and furthermore, you can not slip the transaxle loose without those bolts removed. In addition, if you have A/C condensor in the reat you need to unbolt that from the car so the transaxle will clear as you come out of the car with it. You can however, do this without dis-connect A/C Hoses and losing all your freon just carefully lift the condensor out of the vehicle towards the passenger side with the hoses still connected (two man job)! Once everything is ready to go, and with at least two people, carefully slide the transaxle back. You will have about 2-3inches before the shaft comes out. The best way is have one guy grab a hold of the bellhousing through the site hole and a pretty strong in the back. The back end is the heavy end! Also, there will be very little clearace in the back so right when the shaft comes out, be ready!!! It's really not as bad as it sounds just have to use common sense. You will not bend the shaft because if you need to re-grip the transaxle you can gently rest the unit on the frame. Good Luck!!

Todd

THere are three ways this is done;
1)- using a big hammer, pound the steel rear frame tabs at 90 degrees so the trans can slide back. This is the "caveman" approach and is NOT recommended.
2)- unbolt the 3 nuts in each trans mount, then remove. This can be done using a metric universal-socket (NOT a socket and a universal!) of the proper size.
3)- jack up the engine at the rear of the block just enough for the trans mounts to clear. You'll need a block of wood to do this. This slightly stresses not the input shaft components but the exhaust system & pan. It also may bend the pan in, causing the crank to contact it and thus make noise.
All 3 ways work, however #2 is preferred as it results in less potential damage to the rest of the car. The ZF case must be pried sideways to allow the mounts to clear the 3 trans studs and be removed. Once you do this the 1st time, it becomes easier, and is the way I routinely remove Pantera trannys.
Remember, the ZF weighs 155 lbs with bellhousing attached, so don't try to do this alone unless you have an engine crane!

Thanks for all the good advice, now if I can pry my 15 year old son away from the playstion II hopefully I will be able to remove it with out difficulty. Thanks again. Cliff