Okay guys,

Why can't I get the tranny crossmember out. Is there a trick I am not aware of. It is a 69 with a 4 speed and for the life of me a can't get this thing out. I was able to get the tranny out with it in but I know putting the tranny back in without removing the x-member is going to be near impossible.

Okay guys,

Why can't I get the tranny crossmember out. Is there a trick I am not aware of. It is a 69 with a 4 speed and for the life of me a can't get this thing out. I was able to get the tranny out with it in but I know putting the tranny back in without removing the x-member is going to be near impossible.

loosen the furthest rearward subframe bolt on each side with the car supported on jackstands; this will allow the rear of the subframe to droop just enough to let the crossmember come out. With the subframe bolted up tight in the rear the crossmembers get wedged between the subframe and the floorpan.

Jody

I tried that but maybe I did not loosen them enough. I will give it another go tonight.

Over the lifespan of these cars, several things can happen. The most comon ones are:

- the original floor pans can sag or get dented/pushed down, or they get replaced and end up closer to the ground than original.
- the subframe bushings get worn or dried out and settle, or can be replaced with thinner bushings by a previous owner.


You may have to massage the floor pans a little with a hammer or pry bar, replace subframe bushings, or completely remove the rear bolts. Check the condition of the bushings and the floors.

Also, are you moving one side of the cross forward while moving the other back? It seems like the easiest way is to move the driver side toward the front, and move the passenger side to the rear to get it wiggled around enough to drop out.

Thanks Eric,

Floors are original and bushings are new. I have tried moving it to one side and doing it diagnolly as you mentioned neither worked. I will try prying between the floor and subframe and wedging somethng in there and hope that works.

Use a BMFFT!!

And beat it out and be done w/ it!!

Been there, done that!!

I cussed and cried and cussed some more untill I got good and MAD!! Then out it popped!!

It had to have been a 100 degrees in my garage that Sat. afternoon!!

pdq67

Use a BMFFT!!

And beat it out and be done w/ it!!

:thumbsup:

pdq,

That made me laugh - because that's exactly what I did. I was too lazy to loosen the subframe bolts so I just whacked the old one out!!

Me too!!! Used the sledge... and from the marks on the member I wasn't the first!

LOL. Brings back memories of when I beat the one out of my '68Z. Cars long gone, I still have the crossmember though. I did use a 2lb. singlejack.

Myfirst 69SS
Eric is on the money here. Use a floor jack and a piece of wood to CAREFULLY push up the floor. It will make things a lot easier.

He, He!!

That's doing it right, but the longer timed way!!

pdq67

a swinging arbor press.........