Trans. cross-member removal??

[snatiep]

Hello Everyone,

I have a 1996 Ranger, 2.3L, 5 speed manual, 2 wheel drive.

I might have to drop my transmission soon and have a question about removing the transmission crossmember.

I have been soaking the bolts with kroil and today put a 1/2 in. ratchet on them this afternoon just to see if they would break loose.

I tugged pretty hard on the ratchet but the nut would not turn. I quit before anything broke.

Could I just grind off the rivets holding the crossmember to the frame and re-bolt it back on? There are two rivets on each side.

I'd rather do that than mess up the rubber bushings on each side because they cannot be fixed.

 

[adsm08]

No, you can't. Reason being that there aren't two rivets, there are three, and that last one is behind the crossmember.

What you need to do is get one end of it held with a wrench or breaker bar or something, get your ratchet on the other end, and break the threads loose. Odds are very good that the bolt isn't frozen, it's just hard threads.

It can also help to take the trans mount nuts off and jack the trans up a bit so it's weight is off the crossmember and it's bolts. Helps get them moving to take that load off.

 

[Mark_88]

You can also just cut off the bolt with a cutoff tool and replace them. You only have to drop one side if you jack it up high enough...removing the transmission hold down bolts would be necessary prior to that either way and taking the weight of the transmission off the support is a good idea...

I replaced mine and fought with the bolts for a while but they eventually cam out...maybe get an impact driver and proper socket on it...and soak it again with PB blaster or something similar...

No truck has nuts that cannot be kicked...

 

[snatiep]

Man I'm scared I'll mess up the rubber bushings.

I know I can break off the nuts from the bolt, but driving them out of the rubber bushings is what I'm worried about. Don't they freeze to the metal sleeve in the rubber?

If worse comes to worse, I see online that my local Ford dealer has the crossmember for $140.

Thank you for your help! I greatly appreciate it!

 

[Mark_88]

We all make mistakes and screw something up at one time or another...having replacement parts at your disposal makes those mistakes easier to live with but can be a drain on the wallet...

You can probably buy an impact gun (cordless or corded) for less than the cross member will cost you and a few impact sockets to boot...when in doubt...buy the tools you need first whenever possible...they will come in handy for other tasks if you buy right.

I can't remember what happened when I finally got mine off but it has been on the truck for about ten years since...the rubber and bolt can be replaced easily...you have to work your ass off for that $140 recoup and you won't have anything else to show for it but a shiny new cross member...and you will probably have to buy the bolts and rubber to go with it regardless...

 

[snatiep]

So you're saying get the nuts off, either by unscrewing or breaking, then drive (pound and beat) the bolt out of the rubber bushings? I've been soaking them with Kroil for about a week now and i've got 1/2 in. impact gun and sockets.

I just remember wrestling with the rear shackles trying to get the bolts out of the rubber bushings and wrecking the rubber. They were a pain in the neck to get out, froze to the steel sleeve in the rubber bushing.

I don't think the rubber bushings in the transmission crossmember are replaceable, you have to buy the whole crossmember.

Its part # 6a023 in this diagram: http://www.fordparts.com/Commerce/RenderIllustration.ashx?id=264539540&f=3&n=E9TZ6A023E

 

[rangeron33s]

on my 88 i had a little trouble with the crossmember. breaking it loose isnt a problem just put a wrench with a cheater bar on the bolt and a ratchet with a cheater bar on the nut. if it is frozen to the sleeve youll know after you get the nut off and try wiggling the bolt out. thats when you get out the 5 or 6 lb hand sledge and knock it out.