Help! I'm putting in a JDM SOHC ZC motor in my 1989 Honda civic RT wagon (automatic) and I'm kind of stumped on the part where I disconnect the drive shafts to the front wheels, I'm going by the factory manual instructions but there seems to be a lot of missing info for a newbie like myself. Do I need to remove the spindle nut and take the shafts out or can I some how just extract them from the transmission and leave them in the hubs like the picture shows? I was also wondering if I really even need to pull the whole transmission or can I separate it from the engine in the engine bay? I'm sure I'll have lots more questions as this project progresses but that's where I'm at right now. Thanks in advance.

 

You can leave the axle bolted to the knuckle and pop the lower ball joint off and pull the axles right out of the trans.

 

Worked like a charm thanks!