Reinstalling Trans.

[rcohran]

I am not very verse in auto repairs so excuse me on how this might sound .. I am a newbie when it comes to auto repair. Anyway I had a Transmission (A4DL) on Ford Explorer start blowing fluid out in the front. After researching I believe it was a front seal. I have replaced that and trying to put the transmission back in to bolt to the engine. I can get the transmission up within 3/4 of an inch to the engine and then it just seems to stop. I can see I am lined up on the holes for the bolt on the engine. My question is (cause I have never done this before) is this normal and I just need to give it a good push? or is there some secret to get this trans to fit on up to the engine? I also put some grease on the front seal and on the torque converter, allowing it to slide more easy. Still no avail. I am sure there is someone with an idea or tip that can assist me.

Thanks so much,
Richard Cohran

 

[IZwack]

I think you need to have another pair of eyes to look for whats preventing the transmission from sliding forward more -- cauz there's gotta be something in the way.

Maybe the torque converter has not seated all the way into the bellhousing. Typically, you have to support the torque converter's weight with your hands while you slide it into the transmission.

 

[Raven62]

I agree, you need to check to make sure the torque converter is complete pushed into the trans and engaged into the pump. DO NOT try to pull the trans to the engine with the bolts!!!! Take the trans back out and rotate the torque converter until it slips into the pump and try again.

Greg

 

[rcohran]

Installing Trans

Thanks for the reply to my Post!
I spoke to a friend tonight and he gave me some advice too along wiht what you two have said and I think I don't have the tor. conv. seated into the pump on the trans. Once I have that completly seated I'll give it another try.

Thanks again so much for the reply .. found this site a few day ago and found great advice .. helpful hints.

Richard Cohran

 

[BobWeiss]

I am not sure if you checked this either but you might want to check the studs on the torque converter and make sure they are lined up with the flywheel holes. The 3/4" space you are saying is left sounds like the studs are hitting the flywheel.

Bob W.

 

[l1k2gadd]

I had the same problem with the 1993 XLT 4x4 I purchased amost a year and a half ago. I bought it from an older man who said it just quit running one day and would no longer start. I finally got to the project about 4 weeks ago. I pulled the transfer case, then the transmission and found the truck had a split flex plate (flywheel) and the spacer that is between the flex plate and the crankshaft had become permanently embedded in the flex plate (flywheel). Lo-o-ong story short, when reinstalling the transmission I fought and fought with it. I only got it up to about 1/2" to 3/4" from the engine. I took some long bolts I removed from some other newer vehicles I had dismantled and replaced the bell housing bolts with the long bolts. I slid the transmission back out on these long bolts enough to slide my hands into the gap between the flex plate and the torque converter. After a bit of cursing the converter slid into the transmission a little bit more with a mild bump. I am now enjoying driving (or should I say my daughter is enjoying driving) my $450.00 truck that to date I believe I have about $650.00 in, so far.

 

[cloaked_chaos]

DO NOT try to pull the trans to the engine with the bolts!!!!

Umm what happens if I *ahem* already pulled the transmission to the engine with the bolts?

If someone could let me know real quick because I have to go and finish putting it together right away, that would be great.

 

[Maniak]

Umm what happens if I *ahem* already pulled the transmission to the engine with the bolts?

If someone could let me know real quick because I have to go and finish putting it together right away, that would be great.

I know one thing that can happen is the snout of the converter can crack, but I bet it could also mess up the pump.

~Mark

 

[cloaked_chaos]

Hmm I do have a spare trans and torque converter if anything did happen to it. To me when I was bolting it up it seemed almost if it was the alignment pins trying to get into a hole smaller than what they were meant for, but when I backed the bolts off it was like there was a spring in there pushing the trans away form the engine.