4 post lift and transmission work

[PoorOwner]

Can you remove the transmission on FWD cars?

I imagine it would be difficult since the access in the middle is only around 38" on most of them in home Garage size type lifts plus they have a lip makes it 33" only. I think you can try to remove the bolts to the engine block from this gap. But the runway would put you in a bit of problem wrestling it off?

But is it more difficult if comparing doing it on the floor? On a creeper bench pressing it? I remember you need to have jackstand quite high.

I think you want to get the car really fairly high off the bridge and just drop it onto the runway and just to forget about bringing it down between the runway's 3 foot gap.


Would like to hear if you have done this.

 

[tjdux]

Does the ****** even remove from the engine on your car? Some are 1 peice anymore.

My buddy who runs an auto shop says its easier anymore to remove the entire front end and just leave the front frame clip on the ground and lift up the body over it and then roll engine and suspension wheels and so on out. I don't feel you can do that as I imagine your lift picks up from the wheels instead of tbe frame.

Signiture; Check out my garage progress http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=352703

 

[Backyard Imports]

Does the ****** even remove from the engine on your car? Some are 1 peice anymore.

You just blew my mind with this this.

To answer the OP's question... could you? Yes. Would it be easier than just doing it on the ground? Probably not.

What car you are working on has a lot to do with things. If you are working on a 95 Honda Civic, it would be easier on the lift as long as you had a lift jack (4 post style) so that you could get it up to remove the wheels, unbolt the knuckles, and remove the axles. You would still have a little bit of a clearance issue but the transmissions are small enough that it would work.

If you are working on a later model car that requires the removal of the engine cradle, you would be better off doing it on the ground. There would be, almost, no way to get everything out without fighting for every inch.

4 post lifts are just not the right tool for removing front wheel drive/all wheel drive engines and transmissions.

 

[APEowner]

It mostly depends on how much of the sub-frame needs to come out. This is definitely a job that's easier on a twin post but I've done a bunch on the four post and assuming that you have a trolley jack and you don't need to pull the whole cradle I think it's easier than working on the floor.

 

[GPW]

You don't actually need to drive the whole car onto a 4 post ramp:

1. Back it onto the lift half way
2. Remove the ramps
3. Back it on a bit more so the front of the sills are just on the ramp
4. Parking brake on.
5. Jack up the front with a floor jack until the car is level.
6. Put blocks under the sills that can safely take the weight.
7. Then carefully raise the lift

Check for stability before you raise it too high.
The 4 poster will then be simulating a 2 poster lift.

 

[dave89iroc]

You just blew my mind with this this.

To answer the OP's question... could you? Yes. Would it be easier than just doing it on the ground? Probably not.

What car you are working on has a lot to do with things. If you are working on a 95 Honda Civic, it would be easier on the lift as long as you had a lift jack (4 post style) so that you could get it up to remove the wheels, unbolt the knuckles, and remove the axles. You would still have a little bit of a clearance issue but the transmissions are small enough that it would work.

If you are working on a later model car that requires the removal of the engine cradle, you would be better off doing it on the ground. There would be, almost, no way to get everything out without fighting for every inch.

4 post lifts are just not the right tool for removing front wheel drive/all wheel drive engines and transmissions.

no kidding, can I have some of whatever he is smoking???????????????????????

 

[rburke65]

I vote for eliminating the flashing faces......so annoying! I can't even look at them. I ship them posts to move on away from them. Just my opinion.

 

[rsanter]

Hang the front of the car off the end of the lift.
Use a tie down strap to tie the rear of the car to the lift for safety

RIse the car and detach most of what you need detached.
Lower the car back down with the front on a cart or dolly if you don't have some kind of trans jack. Then remove the remaining bolts and lift the car

You will also need to make or buy one of those engine hanging cross bars if you want to separate and keep the engine in the car verses drop everything

Bob

 

[RVDan]

Does the ****** even remove from the engine on your car? Some are 1 peice anymore.

Quoted for posterity.

 

[tjdux]

Quoted for posterity.

I do realize that as far as i know any car can have the trans removed from the motor. Although posterity is the correct word becase i wouldn't be surprised if in the future they do become 1 peice much like motorcycles. Assuming electric doesn't kill the internal combustion engine much faster than anticipated. Several new cars and trucks come from the factory with completely sealed transmissons and transfer cases. No dip stickx no removable pan nothing. When it fails throw it away and buy a new one.

Signiture; Check out my garage progress http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=352703

 

[RVDan]

So your statement that some are one piece anymore is false?

 

[dave89iroc]

I do realize that as far as i know any car can have the trans removed from the motor. Although posterity is the correct word becase i wouldn't be surprised if in the future they do become 1 peice much like motorcycles. Assuming electric doesn't kill the internal combustion engine much faster than anticipated. Several new cars and trucks come from the factory with completely sealed transmissons and transfer cases. No dip stickx no removable pan nothing. When it fails throw it away and buy a new one.

Signiture; Check out my garage progress http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=352703

No, when it fails, rebuild it, just like every other trans ever made

I build them every day

they are only sealed/non-user serviceable to keep ignorant consumers(a very large percent of them) from adding the wrong fluid/too much/additives, etc.

 

[PoorOwner]

Back to topic. So is it safe to hang the car over with the jackstand on front of the ramp?
Seems like the rear of the lift better be bolted down.
The lift is is 2000 lbs and you have 4-5000 lb over edge. Heavy half of it.
I wouldn't be trying unless I have the tall jackstands holding the front jack point tight all the time.
Just saying because leverage can do a whole lot

 

[GPW]

You can't put 4-5000lbs on a 2000 lb lift anyway.

But yes, more weight will be on that end of the lift, the hydraulic pressure is the same but the front cables + pulleys + locks will bear more weight.

 

[Jazzman442]

Why not just pull the Dang car on the lift and take out the trans. There is more than enough room on a 4 post for that. Some people make things like this so hard...