This is the CDX auto I bought in February needing an autobox change.
Today myself, Matchless and Laidback66 finally got around to tackling it. In a nutshell it was a gearbox transplant. I started by disconnecting the two oil piupes and loosening the bellhousing bolts first, all of which came undone easily. Then Pete and Dave arrived (coincidentally, just as a put the kettle on). After a quick cuppa we got cracking. Being a V6, we had to remove the entire exhaust system for access. Pete and Dave did most of this between them. Then, we simply took the old box off. Time from start to old box removed and away from car 1hr 3mins.
Then we changed the gearbox mounts for the later type and started the slightly slower process of putting the new box on. Marrying up the torque convertor was a pig. In the end we had to go the longer way of removing the torque convertor and mounting it to the gearbox, then fit both back. the problem with this is that you then have to refit the six bolts which secure the torque convertor to the driveplate, through a very small opening in the worst possible place, right by the cross member. It is VERY easy to drop any of the bolts inside the bell housing, in which case you start again. Pete volunteered for this task and did all six without any trouble. We then finished fitting all the connectors, gear linkage etc and then tghtened up all the gearbox mounting bolts and support.
The exhaust was simply too cumbersome and heavy to easily fit back on in one piece, so reluctantly we had to break the seal from centre secions to cats. Of course, one of the bolts sheered, but surpsingly none of the others did. So, much angle grinding and several drill bits later we had the old stud out.
More tea, bacon sarnies (sorry Pete) and plodding on. Now, at this point I wanted to call it a day, but dave spurned me on so we finished the job. All told, 6 hours from start to finished. Finally, we started it up for the first time in 4 weeks. It ran fine and more importantly the gearbox is fine. No warning lights, no computer messages. job done.
So, I must extend my sincere thanks to both Pete adn Dave, without whom I would have more tea in the caddy and one bacon sarnie more. Seriously, I am extremely grateful to both of them.
This shows guys, that a V6 box change can be done in a day with a couple of mates and a bit of 'lets just do it'.
Project costs:
Car - £300
Box - £75
Petrol to get it £40
Total, £415. Car value now? £1000+. S reg 2.5v6 CDX Auto, 115k from new with full history and MoT'd. Not bad.
Author
Topic: Project finally done (Read 1658 times)