2003 Ranger Transmission stuck

[jelzy]

2003 ranger 4.0 4x4 5 speed manual transmission. Trying to separate the transmission from the engine. Removed 8 transmission bolts and starter. I see no other bolts holding this together and I cannot get them separated. trying to pull the engine to replace the timing chains. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

You have an M5OD-R1HD transmission in a 2003 Ranger with 4.0l SOHC engine

It does have 1 extra bolt that the M5OD-R1 didn't have(1990-2000 4.0l OHV)

Picture here: https://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/January2011/M5OD-R1HD/m8.JPG

The extra bolt is at the top passenger side, just below the 2 top bolts


M5OD-R1 without the extra hole seen here: https://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/January2011/M5OD-R1HD/m7.JPG

 

[jelzy]

I have confirmed there are 9 empty holes. One of them must not had a bolt. Still will not separate from engine

 

[RonD]

Then you just have to wiggle it until it comes off the dowel aliment tubes that are in the midline bolt holes, these are important so make sure they get back in, they line up the input shaft and crank shaft
If clutch line is still hooked up press pedal down a few times, just in case input shaft it grabbing on clutch disc

 

[adsm08]

I agree with Ron, you have to be pinched on something.

Since I am not there to see it in person, I'm going to ask the stupid and obvious questions first though.

If you are trying to drop the trans, do you have the cross member and driveshafts unbolted?

If you are trying to just yank the engine out, do you have the engine mounts undone?

If all that is unhooked try getting a pry bar into the starter hole and getting the trans to slide back just a hair, of you can hook up the clutch line and try to use the hydraulics to push the trans away from the engine.

 

[sgtsandman]

Is it possible that the input shaft and the pilot bearing are rusted together?

I’m more with something binding. Maybe the input shaft and the guide pins if the OP isn’t able to get a straight pull.