92 trans pan
 

ok after something like 20bolts removed from skid plates, I finally had access to my transmission pan. However now that I removed all of the pans bolts, it is wedged in there, with the exhaust being in the way.

Do I really need to remove motor mounts and jack the motor up on this thing just to change a $10 gasket? Is it possible that the 3 different skid plates that run under my transmission are not enough of a PITA, or am I just an idiot who is missing something obvious?

My chilton's has proven to be useless. Any advice I can get would be much appreciated.

Pulling your motor mount bolts and jacking up the motor wil only result in more fustration. The exhaust is bolted to the motor and will go up with it.

I am assuming you have the V-6 and are talking about the crossover pipe?

You will have drop the exhaust. You may be able to just loosen most of it and pull it out of the way, but if you already turning the bolts, it's just as easy to pull it.

If you pull the nuts at the flange, it should drop out of the way far enough to get the job done.

Are you just changing the filter and fluid?

When you get the pan out, don't just dump the fluid. Pour it out slowly and look for things that may have dropped ou of the valve body while you were trying to get the pan out.

Thank you. Yes it's the 3.2l DOHC motor.

Fluid is already drained for the most part since the pan is completely free from the transmission. I do intend to look for shavings and such already anyway in the pan.

Yes this is just a fluid/filter job. IMO it should have been a 20min job, now going on day #2. Are you referring to the mounting bracket at the motor or under the vehicle? Thanks again, this thing has a big future ahead of it if I can get a couple stupid things done.

When you are under you vehicle, look up, follow the pipe back up to the motor, loosen or remove anything that may be in the way. I don't recall a bracket at the motor. When you are looking at it from underneath, what you are looking for is the flange, (a collar surrounding the pipe that allows it to be sealed and clamped against the manifold).
If you need to drop a couple brackets, that's fine.

Pretty much start at the catalytic converter, (the muffler closest to the motor) and start pulling bolts, working yourself towards the motor, until the stuff is out of the way.

Don't be concerned about shavings and such in the pan. Even if there some sludge, there are alot of wear surfaces in the tranny, so there will probably be some nastiness. I was refering more to things that resemble tiny ball bearings and springs and such.