Does anyone know how to get the top two bolts to the bellhousing on a W56 out. Almost seems impossible to get to them..

 

Use a lot of extensions....beer....some more beer....and oh, and make sure to remove the cross member, that'll lower the tranny down some with the aid of a jack, which will allow you to get to the top two bolts. Good luck.

 

well I got the beer part down... I'm a little confused on what approach to take with the extensions? how far can I let that tranny drop before it becomes detrimental ? lol

 

Just make sure to support the tranny with the jack until you or another helper can get the extensions in there. I believe I used about a total of 24"-28" of extension just to clear the path for me to allow enough room to get to the two bolts. Make sure to use a breaker bar (or a pipe) to help break loose the tranny bolts....make sure to use PB Blaster or other solvents to loosen the bolts to make life easier.

**Edit**Btw, what method(s) are you using to get the tranny out, transmission jack, engine hoist?

 

I have a 2' extension with a wobble end and it worked well to get to those two bolts. I also remember getting to them from the top (shift lever opening) with the trans lowered as explained above...what I can't remember is if my t-case was separated already or not.

I lowered the trans only a couple inches in the back. You will likely have to raise t back to the original spot to separate it from the engine. I am now remembering that there are two bolts facing the other way or that were not so obvious in the removal (starter?).

EDIT - There is one bolt by the exhaust hanger (driver's side) and one above the slave cylinder (passenger side) that are facing the front of the truck.

 

Awesome, my adventure continues tonight after work then it sounds like.

4_runner guy: I'm using a big as$ jack from harbor freight, not a tranny jack though wish it was.

 

I just took the EGR off of the intake side of the engine and the "hook" and hoses off of the driver side of the engine and used a ratching wrench to get in there. Kind of tight, but I got it.

 

Title this subject is a little off? Simply take the clutch out and remove with a regular ratchet.

 

One thing you need to watch is as you lower the back end is that nothing starts to pinch or break as the engine moves up against the firewall .

Enough extensions to reach I then zip the bolts out with the 1/2 impact

If you are using a breaker bar the least amount of extensions the better as they like to twist the more connections the more twist.

It is pro and con about removing the sway bar. I find it much easier.

 

Bellhousing to engine. Not bellhousing to transmission.