Clutch Install Help

[rangerricks88]

Time for a new clutch - Any tips or tricks when pulling out my transmission and transfer case ?

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

be ready to swear at it

 

[LittleHorse]

that ain't no lie.

Be ready with about 4 feet of extensions to get a socket on about the highest 4 bellhousing bolts. I found it more effective to get the socket onto the bolt head, then go topside and operate the ratchet through the shifter hole in the floorpan.

Support the back of the transmission and remove the crossmember, and lower the tail end of it to get some more clearance beween the tunnel and the transmission case. Rather than using up floor space with a jack, I ran a ratchet strap around both frame rails and under the transmission, so I could tighten and loosen the strap to raise and lower it.

If you have the M5OD it will be hell getting the bellhousing between the firewall/tunnel and the exhaust crossover pipe. It's possible, just requires a lot of twisting, turning, and manipulation. I've done it twice and the second time was no easier. Can't even begin to remember how I got it out other than just messing with it for half an hour. I've heard the earlier transmissions have smaller bellhousings and may be easier.

 

[BlackBII]

Top two bellhousing bolts are easliy accessible from the engine compartment, with a ratcheting wrench, the rest you can get with extensions.
It's easier to drop the tranny crossmemeber, so it will hang down further, makes it easier to get the bolts. You'll want to remove the Tranny and Tcase seperately, together they're pretty heavy. I have never used a jack, but I a have bigger arms than most people.

Make sure you use a clutch alignment tool, and replace the slave while you're in there.

All bolts should be 1/2"/13MM, save for the starter bolts (11/16) and tranny crossmember (18mm)

Once you have it out, I reccomend you bang the body seam in the tunnel flat, makes it tons easier to get the tranny back in. All my RBV's have a flattened body seam now.