Remove transfer case to take out tranny? - Diesel Forum

sohip · 01-10-2010, 08:57 PM

I have a 7.3 4x4 and i was wondering if I have to disconnect both drive shafts to take out the tranny.

Can the tranny be taken out leaving the transfer case and drive shafts in place. I had a quick looks and it seems a little impossible.

Also about how much do the tranny and transfer case weigh if they have to be pulled as one unit. looks scary .

thanks for any help

**TousleyParts** · 01-10-2010, 10:09 PM

I believe they both have to be taken out together. Not sure how heavy the t-case weighs, but a E4OD or 4R100 (almost the same thing) will weigh around 300lbs

I think I'd be renting a tranny jack either way

**MonteC** · 01-10-2010, 10:26 PM

You can take the transfer case off. Most trans shops take the T cases off then remove the trans.

fordsforever73 · 01-10-2010, 10:37 PM

Definitely take it off first. It will save a lot of heart ache. It's just too awkward if you leave it attached. I always drain the oil out first, that way you can't spill what's not there. I just man handle it off the tranny...they're not that heavy (guessing around 70-80 pounds), unless you get into the old iron t-cases.

metalmacguyver · 01-10-2010, 10:52 PM

You must remove the drive shafts to pull the transmission. I prefer to pull the transfercase off of the transmission before removing the transmission to make it lighter and more balanced.

**TousleyParts** · 01-10-2010, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonteC

You can take the transfer case off. Most trans shops take the T cases off then remove the trans.

Sorry, I have the tendency to keep buying 2WD trucks (great idea in MN

), so I have personally never had to do it.
I'm just going from what I observe in our shop. They take everything out at once, but have hoists, tranny jacks, and all the other stuff the average joe such as ourselves do not have.

sohip · 01-10-2010, 11:31 PM

Alright, thanks guys

I took the front drive shaft off completely because I couldnt reach the top drivers tranny bolt . I got all the tranny bolts loose with massive extensions for the passenger side (29" and a wobble). unbolted the back drive shaft at transfer case.

I guess i will unbolt the transfer case and set that aside and carry on removing the tranny.

The way the wording was on some posts i read made its sound like the transfer case and drive axels could be left just "hanging" there and tranny pulled out

I guess that would be way too easy.

Can the rear main engine seal be easily changed out when the trannys out ??

**klhansen** · 01-11-2010, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sohip

Can the rear main engine seal be easily changed out when the trannys out ??

Yes, there's adequate room to do that.

Is your RMS leaking? If not, I wouldn't mess with it. They have a wear sleeve that has to be pressed on the crankshaft, although if the old one is smooth, you might be able to get away with using that. The caveat is that the instructions for the seal say not to remove the wear ring from inside the seal.

sohip · 01-11-2010, 02:13 AM

Mod from alaska, dang i thought it was cold here in edmonton, alberta.

I was working on the truck today on my driveway and it was +4 Celsius .

Ill pull the tranny out and see if its leaking. but i can see its leaking out of the little weeping "tin" a little.

**MonteC** · 01-11-2010, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TousleyParts

Sorry, I have the tendency to keep buying 2WD trucks (great idea in MN

), so I have personally never had to do it.
I'm just going from what I observe in our shop. They take everything out at once, but have hoists, tranny jacks, and all the other stuff the average joe such as ourselves do not have.

I dont pull transmissions out for a living, but i do build transmissions for a living and i usually pull the easy ones, (2wd). I send my other r&r's to another shop or hire a guy to come by and pull them. They all usually separate them first.

The builder doesnt need to be pulling a transfer case off the back of a transmission, its a waste of time for him. And if you pull them down as one piece then it would take two people to remove the transfer case while its on the tranny jack. One to hold them steady and on the jack and one to remove the tcase.

I dont know, there is always more than one way to skin a cat. Everyone has their own way of doing things, doesnt make one wrong or right. As long as the job gets done.

**TousleyParts** · 01-11-2010, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonteC

I dont know, there is always more than one way to skin a cat. Everyone has their own way of doing things, doesnt make one wrong or right. As long as the job gets done.

Its kind of like the whole lifting the cab off the frame thing. Some guys will not do it unless totally nessesary, and other guys love doing it.

sohip · 01-11-2010, 06:53 PM

Alright I got the transfer case out. But the hardest part was removing the plastic heat shield to get to the bolts.

The heat shield is above the exhaust pipe the length of the truck.. does it need to be replaced ? just asking since it looks pretty useless and only gets loaded up with mud and gravel.

**klhansen** · 01-11-2010, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sohip

Alright I got the transfer case out. But the hardest part was removing the plastic heat shield to get to the bolts.

The heat shield is above the exhaust pipe the length of the truck.. does it need to be replaced ? just asking since it looks pretty useless and only gets loaded up with mud and crap.

Heat shield? What heat shield?

Mine went into the trash bin when I installed my 4" exhaust. BTW mine were thin sheet metal, not plastic.

If you're pulling the tranny JUST to check for a leaking RMS, STOP RIGHT NOW!! More than likely, any oil coming out at the bellhousing is from the valley. There's a drain hole in the back, and any oil in the valley drains thru the back of the engine and LOOKS like a RMS leak. Before you go any farther, check the valley for oil. Common leak spots are the turbo pedestal o-rings, HPOP hose connector o-rings, and the intercooler/intake plenum boots.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sohip

I was working on the truck today on my driveway and it was +4 Celsius

Well you have me beat. I replaced a front axle u-joint, but I had it in the nose dock (garage) with a tarp wrapped around behind the cab. It was about 10F (-12C) outside, but still not above freezing under the truck (the ice wasn't melting off the underside.) [where's that shivering blue smiley?]

**klhansen** · 01-11-2010, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonteC

The builder doesnt need to be pulling a transfer case off the back of a transmission, its a waste of time for him. And if you pull them down as one piece then it would take two people to remove the transfer case while its on the tranny jack. One to hold them steady and on the jack and one to remove the tcase.

Agreed, but if you're not getting into the tranny (clutch job f'rinstance), there's no need to separate them. Just leave the tranny/t-case combo on the jack and move it back far enough to do the work, then it just goes back in again after the clutch (or whatever) is done.

Like you said, there's more than one way to skin a cat.

sohip · 01-11-2010, 07:43 PM

My tranny is toast and needs replacing. but I thought Id change the RMS while i was at it. But it looks like I shouldn't really go there.

I see everyone is getting the 6.0 tranny cooler but its waaayyy to expensive for me. Is there a cheap universal unit I can get instead ?