Transmission Mount and Bracket Removal

[CharlieB]

Happy 4th everyone,
I am attempting to replace the transmission mount on my '76 Spider. I've been having some bad clutch judder in 1st gear and reverse so I ran through the list of the usual suspects that cause the problem (bad engine mounts, bad transmission mount and then clutch issues). Engine mounts are good, transmission mount looks pretty bad so I thought that would be the easiest thing to replace. I can't figure out how to get to the nut on the passenger's side. I got the bracket nuts off and the lower mount nut off.
Does anyone have any tips on getting to that nut or is dropping the transmission required?

[azruss]

It sounds like your problem is the drive shaft pillow block. The bearing is suspended in a rubber housing and that goes south with age, producing your shudder. As I remember, you can unbolt the pillow block and that will allow you to drop the tail of the tranny enough to get to that bolt.

[AriK]

Clutch judder from a start can also indicate oil on the flywheel caused by a rear seal leak. Is the bellhousing wet?

[CharlieB]

Thanks for the responses guys.
Azruss are you saying I should replace the pillow block? Given the age of the car, it's probably not a bad idea anyway.
Arik, to answer your question, there is an oil leak that only appears on the upper part of the bellhousing. No leaks down low.
My original assumption was that the clutch judder was being caused by a leaky rear seal but I can't find any leaks showing up on the bottom of the bellhousing. If the rear seal was leaking, wouldn't I find oil on the bottom of the bellhousing?
Thanks again for the help guys

[baltobernie]

The transmission mount typically liquefies from oil deposits onto the rubber bit. This is fairly easy to spot. The pillow block is harder to evaluate, but it was the source of my shuddering.

FYI, the pillow block (aka support bearing) requires a press to remove and install. Most of us take this section of the driveshaft to a garage or specialty driveshaft shop to have this done. Remember to mark the two driveshaft pieces before disassembly. The driveshaft is balanced at the factory as a unit.

Warning Mission Creep Ahead
While you're at it, might as well replace the U-joints .....

[CharlieB]

Thanks Bernie,
I noticed that the shaking I get does not occur if I am on flat ground and slowly let out the clutch without touching the gas pedal. Did yours behave the same way?

[baltobernie]

Yes. Under light load, I guess there's not enough twisting force to make it "tramp".

[CharlieB]

Bernie,
How did you figure out that the bearing was the problem?

[azruss]

It's usually not the carrier bearing but the pillow block it rides in. As others have said, oil turns the rubber to goo. Even if you remove the pillow block, the rubber can look okay and still be bad as portions of the rubber are nearly impossible to inspect. I've always done this work myself and it didn't give me much grief. You can check the bearing to see if it feels okay once its all out from under the car.

[CharlieB]

Ok, thanks Russ.
It sounds like replacing it would be a good idea anyway. I doubt it's ever been replaced.
Thanks again

[azruss]

Pay attention to the orientation of the pillow block. You can put it in backward and put a funny load on the rubber causing it to wear out prematurely.

[geospider]

Replaced the trans mount on my '79, after noticing the bolts holding it to the cross member were mostly missing.
the rubber in the mount was like a marshmellow, very gooey.
not a bad job at all. Hardest part is reaching the uppermost bolt on the trans.

Nice to feel that everything is tight as should be.

Geo

[alsgro]

I'm gonna bump this tread. I ordered a new rear trans support a couple years ago and am just now getting around to trying to install it.

The current one is sagging badly and all gooey.

I crawled under there yesterday, but I couldn't get a wrench on either of the upper support bolts because the "guibo" is so close. My main question is: Do you guys think I have to pull the whole trans out, and/or the driveshaft to replace the rear mount?

[opamp]

I'm gonna bump this tread. I ordered a new rear trans support a couple years ago and am just now getting around to trying to install it.

The current one is sagging badly and all gooey.

I crawled under there yesterday, but I couldn't get a wrench on either of the upper support bolts because the "guibo" is so close. My main question is: Do you guys think I have to pull the whole trans out, and/or the driveshaft to replace the rear mount?

I second this bump--I'm curious to hear any tips/tricks anyone has because this looks to be the next thing I need to work on...I'm sure my mounts are a disaster...

[alsgro]

By the relative silence on this thread, I'm judging that the job is a real PITA! Probably gonna have to remove the guibo and driveshaft at least...?