I am removing the automatic transaxle from my '03 Civic EX. I do not want to leave it on the lift I am using for however many days while the tranny is rebuilt.

After I remove the axle shafts and the tranny, does anyone see any issue with me replacing the knuckles and installing the front tires to roll it off the lift?

Thx,
Mike

 

Should be fine. The lower control arm and strut will hold the hub in place. The axle dosen't bare any weight and is not the only part that secures the hub.

 

Thanks! That ought to save me about $50/day in stall fees alone and give me the flexibility of not having to pressure my tranny guy to push the rebuild to fast.

 

More importantly, the engine will not stay in place with no transmission installed. You'll have to figure that out first. Two of the three main engine mounts are actually attached to the transmission.

When I did try to roll a 95 Civic with no axles, the bearings came loose. No big deal since the car was going to the junkyard anyway, but after pushing it across the street the wheels were quite wobbly. So the axle nut does hold the bearing in place.

You can put the axles in with no transmission and hang them up to the steering rack with loops of wire. That will allow you to push the car around the lot. But realize you'll also have to support the back of the engine somehow.

 

You do make a valid point to secure the motor while the trans is out.

About the hubs, his car uses a McPherson suspension and the hub is different than from a '95 civic. It shouldn't be an issue. When I pulled the motor/trans on my old neon, I rolled the car around without any issues. It uses a very similar suspension design as his '03 civic.

 

Well I do have a engine support installed overhead the engine resting on the body support so that should be ok and I will install the axle shafts just in case and secure them as you suggested. Thanks for the advise.

 

just a thought, but you could get a pair of axle shaft ends (CV joint outward) from a junkyard dirt cheap. they would suit your purpose well, and come in handy in the future.