Transmission Removal tips?

[chris070780]

My front seal on my 91 auto tranny blew on me. I have been searching all morning on this subject. I have a few questions.

Is it true you can remove the tranny without disconnecting the exhaust?

Also is there any reason why I couldn’t drop the tranny with the t-case attached?

Lastly, what is the procedure for changing the seal? I assume I need to press the new seal in some way, and is it necessary to stake it after its installed?

 

[dillon1340]

you can remove the transmission without removing exhaust; i've done it but it would have been much much easier if i had just taken the exhaust off. the transfer case is an easy removal and it weighs quite a bit so you should remove it. honestly, if you are removing the transmission you might as well rebuild it if it's old. and yes the front seal needs to be staked. i just used a chisel to do that part.

 

[ifergusson]

I am in the middle of replacing the trans on my 92 Ranger right now.I just removed the y-pipe and separated the rest of the exhaust from the hangers and there seems to be enough clearance.Here are a some things I figured out,the connector for the O2 sensor is located behind the motor, the easiest way to reach it is through the hole at the back of the passenger wheel well,the top two tranny bolts are a lot easier to reach from the bottom once the transmission crossmember is removed and the transmission is tilted down a bit and my stubby 13mm ratcheting box end wrench seems to be getting a lot of use.Also I plan on chopping the heads off a couple of bolts the same thread as the bellhousing bolts and threading them loosely into the block to aid in guiding the transmission back.

 

[shaggymane]

My front seal on my 91 auto tranny blew on me. I have been searching all morning on this subject. I have a few questions.

Is it true you can remove the tranny without disconnecting the exhaust?

Also is there any reason why I couldn’t drop the tranny with the t-case attached?

Lastly, what is the procedure for changing the seal? I assume I need to press the new seal in some way, and is it necessary to stake it after its installed?

I don't know what you know or have planned. so here's a little story.
People say you can replace a front seal. They'll even say they always put a front seal in when ever they have a tranny out.
I bought a used C-3, put a new front seal in. It failed big within 1k mi.
Got to talking to a few tranny guys. Then it comes out "I never put a front seal in without also putting in a new torque converter bushing. The one in the bellhousing. Just sayin.


And what's this staking a seal you guys are talking about?

 

[dillon1340]

staking the seal is basically just a way to ensure the seal doesnt work its way back out. the factory stakes it and there is even a tool specific to staking the a4ld front seal. i used a chisel. it does same thing but not as pretty. when you stake it you are bending a small portion of the aluminum case over the lip of the seal, that's the easiest way i can explain it.

 

[shaggymane]

if chris comes back

Thanks for the reply Dillion. All these years never done that or heard of it.:
IF Chris comes back he might be interested in this thread. I haven't looked at it just found it when i was looking for something else

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=55566

 

[92exp4x4]

You will not regret removing the T-case, trust me.

 

[gmanpaint]

Another good trick is to remove the hood and stand in the engine compartment to reach the top bolts on the trans. Much easier for us big guys I think.