SC2 guy

Well my automatic transmission on my 1997 Saturn sc2 went out and I just bought a trannie with 60k on it. I have access to a lift and many of my buddies on my local forum says you can just drop the trannie out the bottom with out pulling the motor. How would you do this because this would save me a ton of time.

Thanks!

RC1488

You can get the tranny out by lowering the drivers side cradle. Tho with an automatic it is heavier than the manual, it still can be done. Since you have a lift, i would suggest putting the entire frame on jack stands. Then raise the car enough to get the tranny out while supporting the engine. This way, nothing on the engine is touched other than the plug wires since you need to remove the coil pack from the tranny.

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Present: '97 SL2 Auto '01 SC1 Man '02 SL1 Man
Past: '94 SL2 Man '95 SL2 Man '95 SL2 Man '97 SL2 Man '99 SL2 Auto

SC2 guy

What do you mean by putting the frame up on jack stands when I have a lift. Sorry I dont know what your saying.

RC1488

IMG_7259 - SaturnFans Photo Forums

there is nothing holding the cradle up (all four bolts removed) but the jack stands. from there just lift the car up. you need to support the engine tho so it stays level with the car. you should be good for up to 3-4 inches os seperation between the cradle and frame this way

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Present: '97 SL2 Auto '01 SC1 Man '02 SL1 Man
Past: '94 SL2 Man '95 SL2 Man '95 SL2 Man '97 SL2 Man '99 SL2 Auto

SC2 guy

SO what you are saying is unbolt the cradle before i lift it and put it on jack stands then lift?

RC1488

thats what i did. its just an option

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Present: '97 SL2 Auto '01 SC1 Man '02 SL1 Man
Past: '94 SL2 Man '95 SL2 Man '95 SL2 Man '97 SL2 Man '99 SL2 Auto

Ssicarman

If by lift you mean hoist as in a hoist that will put the entire car in the air then drop the cradle and remove the trans that way.
The auto trans is a heavy awkward unit to try and get out through the side between the cradle and car body. With the cradle out of the way it is a piece of cake to drop the trans straight down. You will want a friend or two there to help you unless you have a trany jack as well.

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DRPowerStroke

Curious, how many miles did you have on old trans? Why not just rebuilt that one since you will have it out already?

__________________
1998 Saturn SL2-91k miles/25mpg
2003 Ford F250-140k miles/Diesel/4x4/Crew cab/4" Turbo back exhaust/4" Donahoe lift/Stage III Hypertech "chip"

RC1488

with the saturn tranny its ALOT easier to go to the junk yard and just grab a new one. You have to have alot more knowledge about transmissions to rebuild it or pay alot more $$ for someone else to rebuild it

__________________
Present: '97 SL2 Auto '01 SC1 Man '02 SL1 Man
Past: '94 SL2 Man '95 SL2 Man '95 SL2 Man '97 SL2 Man '99 SL2 Auto

DRPowerStroke

I know this too well. I bought a 1995 Jeep Grand 4x4 and it went out after owning for 2 months. Cost? $2500. I then bought my F250 (cars in between the Jeep) then after 2-3 months it went out. Warranty paid $3000 and I paid $1000 in upgrades! Common link? I power flushed both before they went. Will not do that again. That's why I just drained the Saturn after I got it.

I did check around and the locals want $1200 to rebuild them here. Not too bad I guess. But, I am guessing less if you already have it out.

Was just asking. How many miles did you have on your Saturn?

__________________
1998 Saturn SL2-91k miles/25mpg
2003 Ford F250-140k miles/Diesel/4x4/Crew cab/4" Turbo back exhaust/4" Donahoe lift/Stage III Hypertech "chip"