Tranny replacement in driveway?
All Star
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 808
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To anyone considering this: just do it!
I rented a trans jack from the local yard ($35) and don't think I would have wanted to try it without. The service manual does a good job lining it out and it is pretty easy (though definitely not tire-change easy as my friend above implied). I spent 5 hours on my back on Sun. afternoon while working slow to let my kids "help" and drinking a couple beers. I have one hour left to double check everything. Book rate on this job is over 5 hours and I could not find a shop I trusted locally to do it for less than $400 (not to mention towing), so I consider it a day well spent.
I rented a trans jack from the local yard ($35) and don't think I would have wanted to try it without. The service manual does a good job lining it out and it is pretty easy (though definitely not tire-change easy as my friend above implied). I spent 5 hours on my back on Sun. afternoon while working slow to let my kids "help" and drinking a couple beers. I have one hour left to double check everything. Book rate on this job is over 5 hours and I could not find a shop I trusted locally to do it for less than $400 (not to mention towing), so I consider it a day well spent.
Im surprised no one would do it less...considering you had to tow it that would have made it quite expensive.
Good job - congrats
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Registered User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 24
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Thanks Blackvan and Funair. It may not have been as much a success as I hoped, though
First two nights I drove it, it ran great. Last night, it started rattling and shaking. I woke up a little early today to crawl under and check it out, and I first saw the engine mount to trans bellhousing strut missing the bolt on the engine side. At first I thought that was all and it would be an easy fix, but then I looked up a bit and noticed a giant crack across the bellhousing starter bolts
I literally reached up and pulled the starter away from it by hand.
Is this the result of something I could have screwed up, or do I just assume the last owner may have dropped it while handling it? I certainly didn't drop it.
First two nights I drove it, it ran great. Last night, it started rattling and shaking. I woke up a little early today to crawl under and check it out, and I first saw the engine mount to trans bellhousing strut missing the bolt on the engine side. At first I thought that was all and it would be an easy fix, but then I looked up a bit and noticed a giant crack across the bellhousing starter bolts
I literally reached up and pulled the starter away from it by hand.Is this the result of something I could have screwed up, or do I just assume the last owner may have dropped it while handling it? I certainly didn't drop it.
All Star
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 933
Likes: 1
From: South Kentucky
I have heard that incorrectly tighened starter bolts (too loose) can crack a bellhousing but have personally never seen this. My guess is that is was partially cracked when you got it, hairline cracks in aluminum castings can be almost invisible.
It is worth mentioning that racers use TIG welding to repair aluminum bellhousings all the time. I'm told that when it is done correctly the piece will be even stronger than new.
It is worth mentioning that racers use TIG welding to repair aluminum bellhousings all the time. I'm told that when it is done correctly the piece will be even stronger than new.
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Registered User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 24
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For anyone else considering this, here's my tip over and above the service manual: take the drive shaft and have a new joint pressed in and have it balanced. Cost about $100 and you never know when the factory one is going to go out!
Turns out that was my problem. Joints looked fine while I had the driveshaft out. Aamco rebuilt my original trans and even put the shaft back in thinking it looked fine. Vibrated bad and I'm lucky it didn't crack this case!
The one that cracked may still have been dropped at some point, but driveshaft vibrations certainly couldn't have helped. $100 is cheap insurance!
Turns out that was my problem. Joints looked fine while I had the driveshaft out. Aamco rebuilt my original trans and even put the shaft back in thinking it looked fine. Vibrated bad and I'm lucky it didn't crack this case!
The one that cracked may still have been dropped at some point, but driveshaft vibrations certainly couldn't have helped. $100 is cheap insurance!
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 65
Likes: 3
From: Grass Valley, Ca.
I've replaced an automatic transmission in a Dodge van without even jacking it up. It's really easy. I used a floor jack to support the trans. It comes right out after you yank the crossmember mount and all the trans bolts, cooling lines etc. I did yank the pan first to drain all the fluid I could otherwise you have a big mess to clean up.