Hello,

I'm trying to remove an M46 transmission out or an 86 740 gle to replace it with a used one out of a 240. So far I've disconnected the shift lever, the cross-member, the solenoid wires, and the clutch cable (cable-actuated). I've tried to disconnect the drive shaft, but I don't know if I've done it right. There are six bolts on the driveshaft near where it goes into the overdrive unit. I've removed three of them by where it looks like the driveshaft connects to this circlular thing, but the drive shaft didn't go anywhere. Do all six need to be removed? (the other three are not the same. The drive shaft seems to connect to a large circular thing, that's where the first set of three bolts are. The other three are on the circular thing.) Do I need to remove the exhaust pipe? Where is the starter? I've almost removed the bell housing, but I figure I should disconnect the drive shaft because the bell housing must be slid back to clear. Is there a wiring harness somewhere? Any other tips on this?

Thanks,

Nathan

Nathan, Remember to remove the gear stick and block up/jack up support the engine before you remove the gearbox. It's a good idea to install a new rear oil seal at this time too. Good luck.

Remove the wire harness from the solenoid, fourth gear indicator, and back up light switch. Leave the rubber disc attached to the transmission if you can. It is large enough to prevent the drive shaft from sliding back. Undo the rear u-joint flange, and the two bolts attaching the carrier bearing to the chassis. Push forward slightly on the rear u-joint flange, and then the drive shop will drop down and to the rear. You don't have to take the drive shaft out completely. Yes, you have to remove the starter. Don't forget to disconnect the negative battery lead first.

Ok, this is what I've done:

removed drive shaft, removed crossmember, took off overdrive wires, another set of wires (either for 4th gear indicator or reverse, so I'm missing one set; I'll find it when I try to drop the transmission), removed all the bolts on the bell housing, found starter- unsure about removal, but I think I removed the bolts that connect it to the bell housing. Now, there is a gap between the bell housing and the block. I tried to pry it open, but it wouldn't budge more than 1/8 inch or so- and then the other side would be shut. At one point I could see what I thought was the clutch. I've tried to pull the transmission off, but I'm unsure how much force it should take. We are using 2 jacks to hold it up. At one point we were lowering the transmission to see if the gaps between the block and bell housing would get bigger, and we lowered the jacks a little too far so the transmission wasn't being supported by anything. I'm worried that we may have bent something, but we didn't let it hang long. I couldn't figure out how to remove the gear shift lever. Chilton's says there is a circlip to remove under the car, but we can't figure out how to bend it off, or how it does come off. I think that may be why the transmission doesn't come off. Any ideas on how to pull it off? I couldn't figure out how to remove the gear shift lever. Chilton's says there is a circlip to remove under the car, but we can't figure out how to bend it off, or how it does come off. I think that may be why the transmission doesn't come off.

Thanks,

Nathan

Nathan,

I hope the following is of help.Remove the trim box around the gear shift lever. Disconnect the shift lever cover from the floor. Remove the snapring at the base of the shifter lever. All the above is from the inside of car. From underneath the car, disconnect the gearshift rod at the gearshift lever. Remove the lock screw, and press out the pivot pin. Push up on the shift lever. From inside car pull the lever up and out of the car.

I just want to add that the lock screw is a (Allen screw) and it is at the bottom of the shifter leaver you should see it from under the car, it may be covered with dirt. I don't know what size Allen it is. once it is removed knock out the pivot pin with a punch or a bolt.The pivot pin is what holes the shiftlever on the gear box. Good luck.

Winston

Thanks, the allen was a 4mm. Also, I'm not sure if you mean this, but there is a circlip on the inside of the car at the base of the stick that you must remove also. My chilton's said for 86 and after it was under the car, but I found it above, hmm. Thanks,

Nathan