Mating Transaxle to Engine...advice needed

[hoyabob2003]

Thanks so much for all the good advice. I re-aligned the clutch today - it might have been a little off - and will have another go at having the transaxle slide easily onto the flywheel tomorrow. I'm sure I'll get it now that I know how I should expect it to go.

[Gilles]

it also helps a great deal to use studs to align the transaxle to the engine, you can cut the hex head off two or three spare/old bolts (same as the ones holding the gearbox and engine together) and these will guide the transmission into the engine (you may have to rotate the engine a teeth or two), then replace the studs with the right bolts.

[hoyabob2003]

Well, it did eventually slide easily back together and you're all right that it takes some finesse and looking at the relationship of the bellhousing to the engine to ensure it's approaching square and level.

[specboxCO]

Copper grease on the splines makes a world of difference in my experience. First time I changed a transmission, it took me 2 days of trying to align it to get it to slide in. I've since done 10+ transmission changes and every time greased the splines and found it slips right in.

[Gelbster]

Careful with the amount of grease ! You need the highest "dropping point" temp you can find.

[Wanderer]

Had the same problem and ended up damaging the splines on the new clutch disc. Filed down the ends on the disc and used wheel studs to slide the trans on. Went right on.

[Gelbster]

For clarity:
You chamfered (with a file) the transmission side of the leading edges of the broached spline hole in the friction plate ?
If that is correct, it seems a good idea. How could it do harm ?