Tranny replacement in driveway?
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Tranny replacement in driveway?
Hi all, looking for any advice/tips/tricks from those that have done an at home trans replacement. It's an '01 with the 46re and I have the service manual (Haynes) but am also looking for real world feedback.
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bro - I used to be a tech...I still pay someone to do that for me...You really need a lift.
I mean it isn't impossible, but I am sure you can find a tech/owner at a small shop to swap it out for you for a few hundred...
If you really want to do it, you must be at or almost at the expert level. Not because of the wrenching that is involved, it is the improvisation that is required.
Good luck.
I mean it isn't impossible, but I am sure you can find a tech/owner at a small shop to swap it out for you for a few hundred...
If you really want to do it, you must be at or almost at the expert level. Not because of the wrenching that is involved, it is the improvisation that is required.
Good luck.
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Joined: Mar 2012
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From: South Kentucky
I have replaced more than my share of transmissions including 727's but not in a van. I was hoping someone who had actually put a 46RE into a Ram van would chime in but as no one has, these are general tips.
Swapping a C4 in a Maverick is easy. Swapping a 727 (46RE etc) is not. These transmissions weigh over 200lbs with the torque converter installed so it is nearly impossible to lift it into place even with help. Borrow a transmission jack and work in a flat area or the job will be 3x more difficult. I've done it with just a floor jack and two people and it still slid off the the jack pad and we both ended up with some damage. The edges on these are sharp!
Drain the fluid first unless you want to spend the rest of the job laying in transmission fluid. Fluid will pour out the tail when the unit is tilted. When you disconnect the cooler lines wrap the ends with clean rags or similar to keep dirt out.
Always unbolt the torque converter from the flywheel and remove it with the transmission or you'll destroy the torque converter and knock out the front pump.
I prefer not to raise the vehicle at all until the old transmission is removed and on the ground. Then raise it just enough to slide the old transmisson out and the new one in, then put it back down.
Wresting with a slippery sharp-edged 220 lb unit in 14" of space really isn't much fun. I'd price this at a few places and if you can find someone to do for $300 I'd probably let them.
Swapping a C4 in a Maverick is easy. Swapping a 727 (46RE etc) is not. These transmissions weigh over 200lbs with the torque converter installed so it is nearly impossible to lift it into place even with help. Borrow a transmission jack and work in a flat area or the job will be 3x more difficult. I've done it with just a floor jack and two people and it still slid off the the jack pad and we both ended up with some damage. The edges on these are sharp!
Drain the fluid first unless you want to spend the rest of the job laying in transmission fluid. Fluid will pour out the tail when the unit is tilted. When you disconnect the cooler lines wrap the ends with clean rags or similar to keep dirt out.
Always unbolt the torque converter from the flywheel and remove it with the transmission or you'll destroy the torque converter and knock out the front pump.
I prefer not to raise the vehicle at all until the old transmission is removed and on the ground. Then raise it just enough to slide the old transmisson out and the new one in, then put it back down.
Wresting with a slippery sharp-edged 220 lb unit in 14" of space really isn't much fun. I'd price this at a few places and if you can find someone to do for $300 I'd probably let them.
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A tranny R&R is so simple and basic, it's like being asked how to change a tire. A quick look in any repair manual will give all the steps necessary. So when someone can't be bothered to look in a manual for such a basic procedure, then I can't be bothered to write up the "how to" steps. Tips, there are no tips, other than don't spill the fluid and don't let the tranny fall on you.
All Star
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 933
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From: South Kentucky
A tranny R&R is so simple and basic, it's like being asked how to change a tire. A quick look in any repair manual will give all the steps necessary. So when someone can't be bothered to look in a manual for such a basic procedure, then I can't be bothered to write up the "how to" steps. Tips, there are no tips, other than don't spill the fluid and don't let the tranny fall on you.
I don't think asking for vehicle-specific tips in a Dodge van forum is wasting anyone's time. I've been doing this for years and don't need a forum or even a manual. I use this forum to research vehicle-specific issues and some of the info posted here has saved me time and aggravation.
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No, I'm not having a bad day. But judging by the lack of replies with tips, I'd have to say more people feel the same as I do than you realize.
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A tranny R&R is so simple and basic, it's like being asked how to change a tire. A quick look in any repair manual will give all the steps necessary. So when someone can't be bothered to look in a manual for such a basic procedure, then I can't be bothered to write up the "how to" steps. Tips, there are no tips, other than don't spill the fluid and don't let the tranny fall on you.
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I have replaced more than my share of transmissions including 727's but not in a van. I was hoping someone who had actually put a 46RE into a Ram van would chime in but as no one has, these are general tips.
Swapping a C4 in a Maverick is easy. Swapping a 727 (46RE etc) is not. These transmissions weigh over 200lbs with the torque converter installed so it is nearly impossible to lift it into place even with help. Borrow a transmission jack and work in a flat area or the job will be 3x more difficult. I've done it with just a floor jack and two people and it still slid off the the jack pad and we both ended up with some damage. The edges on these are sharp!
Drain the fluid first unless you want to spend the rest of the job laying in transmission fluid. Fluid will pour out the tail when the unit is tilted. When you disconnect the cooler lines wrap the ends with clean rags or similar to keep dirt out.
Always unbolt the torque converter from the flywheel and remove it with the transmission or you'll destroy the torque converter and knock out the front pump.
I prefer not to raise the vehicle at all until the old transmission is removed and on the ground. Then raise it just enough to slide the old transmisson out and the new one in, then put it back down.
Wresting with a slippery sharp-edged 220 lb unit in 14" of space really isn't much fun. I'd price this at a few places and if you can find someone to do for $300 I'd probably let them.
Swapping a C4 in a Maverick is easy. Swapping a 727 (46RE etc) is not. These transmissions weigh over 200lbs with the torque converter installed so it is nearly impossible to lift it into place even with help. Borrow a transmission jack and work in a flat area or the job will be 3x more difficult. I've done it with just a floor jack and two people and it still slid off the the jack pad and we both ended up with some damage. The edges on these are sharp!
Drain the fluid first unless you want to spend the rest of the job laying in transmission fluid. Fluid will pour out the tail when the unit is tilted. When you disconnect the cooler lines wrap the ends with clean rags or similar to keep dirt out.
Always unbolt the torque converter from the flywheel and remove it with the transmission or you'll destroy the torque converter and knock out the front pump.
I prefer not to raise the vehicle at all until the old transmission is removed and on the ground. Then raise it just enough to slide the old transmisson out and the new one in, then put it back down.
Wresting with a slippery sharp-edged 220 lb unit in 14" of space really isn't much fun. I'd price this at a few places and if you can find someone to do for $300 I'd probably let them.
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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.