front axles

[fannman]

Im new to IXs still and Ive researched all I can about them. We started getting the motor apart today and I was under the car and I'm wondering if there is any way to remove the front axles without having to remove the strut assembly. Also it failed the jack test. Def bummed about that but I guess Im on the lookout for a transfer case or VC so let me know if anyone has a spare for a manual car. Also is there any other precautions or steps I need to do besides the front axles for removing the motor compared to a standard m20 for a rwd car? I need all the advice I can get to make this pull as painless as possible.

Thanks

[Chruby99]

here is a breakdown of my ix.
I pulled the strut spindle assemblies whole to get the axles out t=242628http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=242628

[gearheadsteve11]

I just did mine, and it was near impossible to pull the engine out the top without dropping the subframe down a few inches. Also, because the drivetrain is so long, it will be to your advantage to get the rear of the car as high off the ground as possible. I had 18" stands underneath the rear tires and had to drop the front of the car all the way down to the point that the engine hoist was rubbing on the front valance. This was all really so I could get enough hight out of the engine hoist so the oil pan would clear the front core support, and so the t-case wouldn't bind between the firewall and the floor. It would be wise to get your picking point from your hoist as far back and as close to the engine as possible to once again help clear the oil pan on the core support. Also, I did all this with the struts and control arms loose and out of the way, I just left the tierod ends attached. Anyways, that's a lot to take in, but those were issues I ran into and ways I worked around them.

[z122643]

I just took my engine out too. Instead of dropping the subframe, I took the tranny off. <<<that was fun.

I ended up removing the xcase cross member and tinting the engine and tanny (still joined together) back in order to reach the bell housing bolts on top. Worked out well.

Note: should be done with a friend. http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/imag.../icon_wink.gif

[A Sucked Orange]

Drop your engine, tranny, transfer case and subframe as one on to some dollies, then lift the front of the car with a cherry picker and roll everything out. It is the easiest way to pull everything by far.

[fannman]

Drop your engine, tranny, transfer case and subframe as one on to some dollies, then lift the front of the car with a cherry picker and roll everything out. It is the easiest way to pull everything by far.

Thats whats Ive been debating. I think I will just drop the drivetrain and engine on two dollie carts I have and then Lift the front of the car with 2 jacks enough to roll it out. Kinda sketched out by jacking it up that high with a few blocks on the jacks. I do have a 3 ton engine hoist. But I dont want to use that to lift the front of the car. I think that would be way too much. I dont have access to a cherry picker or I would just do it that way. I have someone coming by friday to help so hopefully it will all work out.

[nando]

the "best" way would be to drop everything out from underneath and roll the shell away. the next best way would be to pull everything at once, but you still have to drop the subframe. 3rd best would be to seperate the engine/trans, which is almost as much work as pulling/dropping the whole thing. the only difference is you don't have to drop the subframe, but that's only a handful of much easier to remove bolts.

it really depends on how much space you have to work in.

[fannman]

I have a pretty big 2 car garage Im working in and I have it slanted into the the second bay so I have more than enough room to work in. I probably will just drop the engine onto dolly carts and roll it out and just jack the car up high enough to get it out. Then I can just roll it around and separate everything with the engine lift to do the clutch job. That seems way easier than having to get it out with the hoist since Ive noticed the drivetrain to the end of the transfer case goes half way down the car and It would have to be lifted higher than the 8.5ft ceilings I have. Just dropping it all seems easier to me now that I look at it.

[nando]

yeah, it should be the best way. if I do it again, that's what I'll try.

that's how it was designed to be put together, after all.

[fannman]

Exactly right. I will be sure to post pics of the process and maybe attempt a write up of some things.

[gearheadsteve11]

I believe there was a right up on how to drop it out of the bottom of the car, and from what I read, once the drivetrain is loose on the ground, the front of the car is very light, and can be easily picked up with an engine hoist. The issue then is, how to move the drivetrain out while having the cherry picker legs in the way. In any case, I went out the top, because I didn't have any dollies, and it was a ton of work, but doable. I highly recommend any way you can to use air tools, as it helps expidite the process substantially.

[fannman]

Alright Im a idiot. Completely jumped into things a few days ago and didnt think to pull the fuel pump relay and just let the car die so there would be minimal fuel in the lines. Best way to drain the system?

[fannman]

Nevermind. Read in the bentley that I can undo the pressure reg and the line to the fuel rail and just let it drain out into a container.

[nando]

Pull fp relay and start the car. You don't want to remove a pressurized fuel line.

[fannman]

odd enough there was no pressure in the line at all. clogged fuel filter maybe? Maybe it sitting over a few days let out pressure. Kinda confused about that one. But they are empty now.