Transmission Guro's

[MStudt]

I'm really hoping there's a thread somewhere that I'm missing, and that I'm not just asking another question that's been beating to death. However, I'm not finding what I need.

I've decided to go ahead and replace the transmission in my 01. After the milkshake last year, shift solenoids going bad, and overheating issues it's time. I've been trying to find a good step by step for pulling the transmission, and swapping in a replacement. To my surprise I'm not having any luck at all finding what I need. I'm pretty confident that this is a job I can handle, but want to be 100% sure before I start. Next, would you buy a used transmission that you know nothing about or buy a reman with a warranty?

 

[midcoma]

If you lived closer I'd tell you to bring it by. I've pulled mine twice in the past month and I'm starting to feel like a pro. Here's the FSM pages. It's pretty straight forward and this is what I used when I did mine.

 

[MStudt]

If you lived closer I'd tell you to bring it by. I've pulled mine twice in the past month and I'm starting to feel like a pro. Here's the FSM pages. It's pretty straight forward and this is what I used when I did mine.

This is great. What did you do about flushing the AT fluid?

 

[Doc2012]

This is great. What did you do about flushing the AT fluid?

Pull the drain plug.

I can tell you that it's A LOT easier to pull the trans without the t-case on it.

If you need any help, PM me and I'll walk you through it step by step. It's really not bad.

A job, but not a hard job.

Make sure you have LONG ASS extensions.

 

[MStudt]

Pull the drain plug.

I can tell you that it's A LOT easier to pull the trans without the t-case on it.

If you need any help, PM me and I'll walk you through it step by step. It's really not bad.

A job, but not a hard job.

Make sure you have LONG ASS extensions.

I know about draining the transmission. But should I go ahead and flush the entire system or just refill? Also, what about the torque converter? Keep or replace the one that's on there?

 

[Doc2012]

I know about draining the transmission. But should I go ahead and flush the entire system or just refill? Also, what about the torque converter? Keep or replace the one that's on there?

Pull it all out.

If you're replacing the transmission, the intake line off and run the truck. It'll pump the fluid out and you won't really have to worry about it.


You're going to need 12mm for the transfer case bolts, 17mm for the bell housing bolts, 14mm for the cross member bolts, and, IIRC, 13mm for the TQ bolts. There's a couple 10mm bolts on there as well.

The biggest PITA for me was trying to get the main plug off the transmission. I eventually took a flat head and pushed the clip in while I hit the back of the screwdriver.


You need to take the entire wiring harness off the transmission. This includes the O2 sensors.

 

[midcoma]

What did you do about flushing the AT fluid?

I did a complete flush. I drained the transmission from the drain plug prior to pulling. While I had it out I took the pan off and replaced the internal filter which is pretty much an enclosed mesh screen. After install I filled the pan through the dipstick tube, then completed the flush by turning the car on and letting it pump 1 quart out at a time and filling with a fresh quart until all the fluid was changed. You can find the procedure in detail on this forum. I also installed an external cooler while I was messing with the transmission.

I'm not really a transmission guru, but I didn't do anything with my torque converter. Removed it while I was cleaning stuff but reinstalled the same one.

 

[LookAtThatDog]

I just had mine replaced. It was $700 labor, $400 for a used trans. It's my daily and only car, so DIY was out of the question for me. The guys at the shop said it took twice as long because they had so much trouble getting the torque converter bolts off. Theres only a tiny hole to access them, and they had to use a torch through the hole to get each one off.

 

[MStudt]

I just had mine replaced. It was $700 labor, $400 for a used trans. It's my daily and only car, so DIY was out of the question for me. The guys at the shop said it took twice as long because they had so much trouble getting the torque converter bolts off. Theres only a tiny hole to access them, and they had to use a torch through the hole to get each one off.

I was quoted $800 in labor for 8 hours of work alone.

 

[BrianSD_42]

[MENTION=118207]midcoma[/MENTION]

Can you post the pages covering the install as well?

 

[midcoma]

Sure, but I doubt it will do you much good.




Here's the components list if you want more torque specs.





For the torque converter bolts, you can use an extension, flex connector, and 14mm short socket (in that order) to remove/install them. If you look at the front diff, there's a little gap between the diff and the flange where it bolts to the passenger side extension tube. Slip your extension in that little gap and you can reach all the way back to the bolts. You need to use a 19mm socket and ratchet on the crankshaft bolt to rotate the torque converter into the right position. Remove 1 bolt, rotate, remove another, etc.. Only turn the crankshaft bolt clockwise. Probably doesn't make sense reading it, but you'll see what I'm talking about when you look. When in the proper place, the socket extension will be pointing towards the front of the car.

 

[MStudt]

I got a free transmission with 98xxx miles on it this weekend. What makes it better is that it was FREE. I only have to remove it, and then it's mine. Let the fun begin tonight.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Free is good. Good luck and keep the thread alive as you go.

Having removed two transmissions in other cars I have found that a transmission jack is quite helpful. If you have a Harbor Freight nearby look into it.

 

[MStudt]

Free is good. Good luck and keep the thread alive as you go.

Having removed two transmissions in other cars I have found that a transmission jack is quite helpful. If you have a Harbor Freight nearby look into it.

I was thinking the same thing. I'm not sure if I want to buy one, or rent one from a local place.

 

[JayRolla]

I was thinking the same thing. I'm not sure if I want to buy one, or rent one from a local place.

I would buy a cheap one from harbor freight like stated. They come in handy all the time. I love trans jacks!!

Nice find on the trans!! Its the only way to go. My buddy had a local shop build his girlfriends Ford Expedition auto with a 3 year warranty. As of last night (1 week after build) it was slipping in all gears and would not go into reverse.

My wife has pretty much same Ford Expedition with junk yard trans installed almost 7 years ago and over 180k miles. Still solid! Only way to go is OEM used.

 

[MStudt]

I would buy a cheap one from harbor freight like stated. They come in handy all the time. I love trans jacks!!

Nice find on the trans!! Its the only way to go. My buddy had a local shop build his girlfriends Ford Expedition auto with a 3 year warranty. As of last night (1 week after build) it was slipping in all gears and would not go into reverse.

My wife has pretty much same Ford Expedition with junk yard trans installed almost 7 years ago and over 180k miles. Still solid! Only way to go is OEM used.

I'll most likely buy one since this hasn't been the first time I've needed one. I just hope this goes smooth!

 

[TJM]

I got a free transmission with 98xxx miles on it this weekend. What makes it better is that it was FREE. I only have to remove it, and then it's mine. Let the fun begin tonight.

I guess you won't be needing mine then?

 

[MStudt]

I guess you won't be needing mine then?

The free one was a bust! I'm still getting yours, and have the cash as well. I just left there, and the transmission had a massive crack in it. Looks like someone went wheeling a little too hard with it. Cross member was bent, and the frame had a nice indention from a rock as well.

Free is always to good to be true.

 

[LookAtThatDog]

Free is always to good to be true.

It's still free though :dancin:

 

[MStudt]

It's still free though :dancin:

Make for a good lawn ornament.