HOW TO: 97-04 C5 CORVETTE TRANSMISSION REMOVAL

How to replace the transmission in your 97-04 C5 Corvette step by step. PART 1
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[@BadLuckGarage]

Part 2 install video kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpKVioKBlNiMhck

[@coyotehater]

I don’t own a C5 Vette, & being a fat man, I don’t see one in my future. But I definitely enjoyed watching someone else work 😂. Glad you are feeling better & able to get out in the garage & work! I did not realize or appreciate how much effort & work went into making a video until I tried to record one putting the new engine into my 67 C10. Let’s just say my efforts were not even worth moving to the computer!

[@BadLuckGarage]

Yea my videos aren’t even professional at all and I still usually have hours of editing time in them, not to mention the actual work takes longer since you’re trying to explain things and move the camera around to get decent shots. In the end I like to think they might help someone, save someone money, or even entertain people from time to time though so it’s worth it in that way.

[@coyotehater]

I may try it again later in the summer when I put this 5.3 back together & put it in my 91 Z/71. It’s got the Getrag 5 speed in it, so there is a little more detail involved than the regular old auto.

[@d3et1roi3t]

Im 340 pounds and there is more room than you might think once inside the c5. Theyre low so that's is what is challenging but easier to get in my c5 than some newer cars.

[@Johnsonchristopher909]

Thank you for posting these videos. I am about to drop the transmission in my c5 to replace the torque converter. Just have been dreading doing it. Lol Thanks for educating us on the issue

[@BadLuckGarage]

Hello Chris Johnson, Thanks for watching! Im glad this video helped you out!

[@pinnaclecooking2384]

What made you realize it was the TC? I'm facing a diagnosis also right now and it's like if it's the TC then ok but what if the trans is damaged and don't know and since the whole thing will be dropped then why not just replace it all? Know what I mean

[@rcrc6666]

Thankyou so much for this. All went smoothly for my trans removal. Mine has F45 which ment couple of extra things to get off. Couldn't have done it without this great tutorial. I am across the world in New Zealand. All the best. 😄

[@BadLuckGarage]

Glad to hear you found it helpful brother!

[@insaine123]

This was a damn good video. Thanks for being so detailed any trying hard to get good camera angles for us.

[@BadLuckGarage]

Glad you found it helpful.

[@paulm7325]

Great video. Now I know what I have to look forward to, to get at my fuel tanks to replace the senders (2004).

[@brianobrian6637]

Great video, car, attitude & skill. Really like your emphasis on supporting it carefully/ with thought up to including weight & balance once removed. I may be a little reckless w/some things in sum ppl's eyes but just like you, I really do NOT want to go out having my C5, or any car, fall on me while I'm under it!

[@trentonglass6082]

Thanks!

[@mickeyhurtado494]

I was able to drop my transmission and get it rebuilt thanks to your video. I began the process using instructions from Identifix. It had way more wrenching that was not necessary. Your method streamlined the process and saved a bunch of time and wrenching. Thanks so much.

[@BadLuckGarage]

Glad it helped brother

[@travissmith1145]

Robert if you heat up the transmission plugs with a heat gun they pull right out

[@BanksRacing11]

Just a tip for those having trouble getting the trans switch connectors loose just apply some heat with a heat gun.. Thanks for the video!

[@BadLuckGarage]

I actually discussed this in the part 2 reinstall video

[@joequashnock1552]

Great video!! I have a 2000 manual that needs some attention (165k: trouble getting into 1st and 2nd [plastic pads probably broken] as well as the typical diff output shaft leaks). I appreciate your detailed procedure. Thank you!

[@BadLuckGarage]

Glad you found the video helpful brother. 👍

[@josiah7068]

I have to do the same job in order to do the torque Tube rebuild

[@nachosilva3777]

Does the torque tube stay there? And does the torqur tube tube pan needs to come out? Thanks. Im in process of swaping a tc

[@ScaleModelKustoms]

This was fun to watch, impressive actually!

[@modificationnation73]

Going to be doing this on my 01’ in the next couple weeks.

[@TJsVette]

Great video. Next time if you ever have to take the transmission or rear cradle out i would build wheel cribs to put under the front set of wheels so it wont tilt at all! I have a video on my page on how to make them.

[@BadLuckGarage]

No need or for wheel cribs. It isn’t going to tilt at all with jackstands under the front cradle. Covered that in the video.

[@TJsVette]

​@BadLuckGarage I totally get it and saw but I always use them just for that added safety. I'm like you and don't want to get screwed while under the car. I prefer life haha.

[@BadLuckGarage]

@@TJsVette Bracing the car by the cradle is more solid than bracing by the suspension with cribs under the wheels. Cribbing the wheels still allows movement. In my opinion, if you want more safety, add an extra jackstand or two under the cradle rather than cribbing the front wheels, this allows for zero movement in any direction. Brother I’ve just really never been a fan of using wheel cribs. I prefer to use jackstands under more solid lift points that don’t allow any rocking or suspension movement. Just my personal preference. If you need to get the vehicle higher than normal 3 ton jackstands allow, then 6 ton stands will give you that extra height.

[@twiztedxassassin2211]

Thank you for actually using caliper hangers

[@averylooper5534]

thankyou sir, very helpful

[@josiah7068]

16:40 In my opinion it looks like you don’t need to remove the axles until you get it on the ground unless you’re just doing it for the weight of it all

[@BadLuckGarage]

I find it’s easier to drop the cradle first rather than wrestle with balancing with the entire assembly. If you have a cradle jack or motorcycle jack then balancing it isn’t an issue. Most people don’t. This was explained in the video.

[@dougpage1951]

If ya don't mind me asking how long did it take to get the transmission from RPM.

[@BadLuckGarage]

Call them and they’ll give you an estimated eta. Their backlog at the time you place your order is going to determine that. How long it took me to get a transmission 5 months ago isn’t going to be the same as how long it will take you to get one now. They could currently be more busy or less busy than they were back then. That being said they were dead on with how long they told me it would take.

[@dougpage1951]

@@BadLuckGarage well the told me 4to5 weeks and it's been 7

[@BadLuckGarage]

@@dougpage1951 what did they say when you called and asked where your transmission was?

[@dougpage1951]

@@BadLuckGarage first time it was 2 weeks more last week was it we be another week. What I don't understand is they have a excellent reputation and I only live 2 hours from them so there's no shipping

[@dougpage1951]

@@BadLuckGarage I'm going to give them 2 more weeks a then pay them a visit to get my money back

[@soniabeaty9484]

omg i am so glad you had this video wow helped so much

[@BadLuckGarage]

Glad you found it helpful! If you don’t mind, share this video. It’ll help others out and help the channel out as well! -Robert@BLG

[@prancstaman]

WOW! No way am i doing that, LOL. The cradle mount studs, usually a big square head or big square nut up in the frame that is covered with a sheet metal cover over it that is spot welded to the frame. usually busts off that sheet metal cover from the framing or strips the square of it. Might be access plug in cargo area or might need to cut a side hole to access it and weld the bolt head or square nut to the frame. They do it that way for wiggle room when bolting the cradle in place.

[@BadLuckGarage]

No access hole and not gonna cut one. May just tack weld the bolt to the frame at the bottom though. Or possible just hold it with vice grips while I tighten it back up. 👍

[@prancstaman]

@@BadLuckGarage The nuts are those that have the bent in portion on the ends (factory lock nuts). Run a tap through the nut to make it so it can run up the stud free, cut the thread locking feature out of the nut with the tap, then just have to tighten like one turn or so.

[@dominicksainte22]

I'm going to swap my engine by taking the whole powertrain out. I'm fearing stripping cradle bolts. any ideas how you will remedy the problem

[@BadLuckGarage]

Most likely vice grips and a screw driver. Stay tuned for the install video.

[@2022cjk]

Didn't have to support the back of the motor/ torque tube at all? Been reading it can move down and hit the fire wall if you don't.

[@BadLuckGarage]

No, but you could if you’re concerned about it. -Robert

[@marlynwilliams8646]

How many hours did it take you to complete? Excluding the video content of course.

[@BadLuckGarage]

Covered that in the install video.(part 2) Without having to explain everything to a camera and worrying about getting camera angles, this should be about a 6-7hour job tops from removal to reinstall with the basic tools and jackstands we used.

[@kyletaylor8602]

I use a heat gun too get the mlps "park neutral switch" !

[@BadLuckGarage]

Yes I discussed that in the 2nd video.

[@ctoledo0834]

Hello. Can you still start the car without the transmission?

[@ctoledo0834]

I took mine out the other day and now it won’t start

[@luismontemayor5713]

Did you disconnect the brake lines from the back?

[@BadLuckGarage]

Only on the 32nd of the month

[@JeffSelz]

Hi. Where did you get the trans jack?

[@BadLuckGarage]

Harbor freight….as stated in the video.

[@YOUTHOUGHT2]

Isn’t this the trans you just installed the shift kit on?! What ended it?

[@BadLuckGarage]

Brother this video is a year old. The shift kit video is more than 2 years old.

[@paulm2701]

Did you have a hard time separating the transmission from the torque tube?....

[@BadLuckGarage]

No sir. Let the jack down about an inch and it separated on its own. 👍

[@chrisambrose8838]

I have the rear transmission bushing and seal leaking ( 130 k ) when it’s in reverse. I am choosing to have a shop do it and as long as it’s out, rebuild it too. I’m told around a grand for everything. Nice video though! And you confirmed my decision to take it to the shop ! Lol 🖖🏻

[@modificationnation73]

I HATE taking out the trans in the c5/6 vettes!

[@BadLuckGarage]

It’s definitely not what I would call fun, but not as bad as some people made it seem.

[@JasonRidesmoto]

Will a T56 from a C5 Z06 fit a stock Coupe that has a T56?

[@BadLuckGarage]

Don’t see why it wouldn’t.

[@pinnaclecooking2384]

Yes because it's the same dimension. I ky different is the first three years are 3:90

[@C5Zthings]

Yes but just keep in mind the z06 had shorter gears than the base c5s t56

[@gabrielreyes4747]

How many hours did it take to drop the transmission out ?

[@BadLuckGarage]

Just a couple hours. I went over the total time for everything in the part 2 video.

[@luismontemayor5713]

What brand clutch did you used

[@BadLuckGarage]

Purple

[@luismontemayor5713]

The name of the (OEM)clutch?

[@BadLuckGarage]

Rumplestilskin

[@MrZaner1]

Good stuff

[@BadLuckGarage]

Glad you enjoyed

[@normanshepard5914]

while you have it this far apart I would rebuild the torque tube....I spent less than 200 building mine and it's worth doing to not to have to tear it apart again....lol

[@BadLuckGarage]

That would definitely be a wise thing to do. Unfortunately that’s not on the agenda or in the budget this time around. I’m just gonna hope with only 70k on it that the torque tube has some life still left in it for awhile.

[@normanshepard5914]

@@BadLuckGarage hey I know that feeling about budget but if it explodes it will cost you way more...ask me how I know...lol I had to buy another torque tube for my car...the rubber torsional biscuits are about 50.00 each on ebay...I would atleast take it apart and inspect it

[@lukeyduke6733]

Every screwdriver is a pry bar but not every pry bar is a screwdriver

[@BadLuckGarage]

And I sayeth unto thee, amen and pass the wrench hammer.

[@ryanvandeven]

Put a heat gun on the trans plugs with the glue, comes right out.

[@minitrucker68]

The wifey speaks! Lol

[@PNW_Car_Mods]

It looks like it bled to death haha!

[@PNW_Car_Mods]

Nice job Robert. I was chatting with you the whole way through lol. While I may not be working with the Auto this is still helpful to see some of the processes that will be similar.

[@BadLuckGarage]

@@PNW_Car_Mods Yeah you’re gonna have to drop the entire exhaust along with the torque tube and everything under it in addition to what I dropped to do a clutch.