I have a 94 z28 automatic that has won't shift into 3-4. So I started digging into removing the transmission so that I can fix it. Well, I'm following the steps outlined in the Chilton's and it has me drain the tranny fluid before removing the driveshaft. Fine, no problem, I drained the fluid, then I go to check out the steps to remove the driveshaft and the tranny needs to be in neutral. This is so that you can get to the u-joint bolts. I shift the tranny to neutral, but the wheels won't turn! No matter what I do I can't get the thing into neutral -- my hunch is that I need the transmission fluid in order to get the tranny to shift outta park! Any suggestions on how to get the tranny to shift into neutral? I'd rather not refill the tranny as my catch pan has been used for all sorts of fluids -- oil, anti-freeze, power steering fluid -- so it'll be pretty gross if I reuse it.

Thanks!

 

I don't know of any reason you need fluid in the trans. Make sure the parking brake isn't on.

 

Maybe the rear wheels are on the ground?

 

I just did this last weekend. As long as the rear wheels are off the ground(preferably all 4 for clearance). Disconnect the shift cable from the trans. The driveshaft will turn whether the trans is in rev, neutral, drive, etc., make sure the e-brake is off and should rotate no problem. Remove exhaust hanger and torque arm mount from tailshaft, disconnect electrical connections, support trans, remove crossmember, bellhousing bolts and torque converter bolts, lower about half way, then remove cooler lines from trans, then lower rest of the way out.