Remove transmission. Options

[Keith914]

Need to replace rear crankshaft oil seal. What is least amount of work: drop engine/transmission, or support engine in car and remove transmission?

[stugray]

just did this recently to rebuild my trans:

Jack car up & place on jackstands
support engine with floor jack on engine block side of trans interface
loosen front motor mounts where bar mates to body (depending on year bolt may have a lot of thread) so that you dont stress rubber mounts at engine when tipping.
I removed my exhaust because I have stubs so I didnt have to unbolt from heads
You might be able to remove trans with exhaust in place, but mine is aftermarket so your results may be different
remove shift linkage from firewall back
disconnect clutch cable & speedo cable
disconnect ground strap at top of trans
disconnect CV joints at trans and put in plastic bags OK to leave them hanging, but some tie them up high

Crack all 4 bolts loose that hold the trans in place but do not remove (one above/behind the starter requires two people? and access from engine bay)
remove 4X small bolts that hold trans mounts to body (engine&trans will fall at this point if not supported at engine)
watch in engine bay as you lower engine/trans a few degrees with floor jack and make sure no interference with rear of engine bay
Put trans floor jack under trans, take the weight and trans should slide right off
Put jackstand or blocks under engine to hold it (DO NOT leave it on the floor jack)