Do the transmission mount nuts on cross member need to be removed when jacking up the engine?

[UltTrail runner]

I am about to begin replacing my steering rack. I have watched how to videos on YouTube and read a few of the how to thread. I am planing to jack the bell housing between the oil pan and the transmission fluid pan (like in this thread STEERING RACK REPLACEMENT - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/steering-rack-replacement.1375912/)

My questions are:

1. As transmission and the engine are bolted together, do I need to remove the transmission mount nuts on the cross member? I have seen mixed instructions on this.
2. Assume I need to at least loose the engine mount on the passenger side before lifting the engine? Is this correct? I also seen people did the job did not mention remove bolts or loose them for the passenger engine mount.

Thanks!

 

[frawstme]

following, i'm also wondering this as I'm about to do headers and need to lift the engine. for me the transfer case will be removed and I'm anxious that it'll allow too much movement. I don't want to crush any lines or damage anything

 

[UltTrail runner]

Following up on this. Trying to understand this before I tackle this job.

 

[frawstme]

Following up on this. Trying to understand this before I tackle this job.

while im also waiting to hear on the crossmember nuts, I can at least tell you that to get any amount of lift on the motor the engine mount does need to be unbolted (you don't have to remove it)

Just watch the fan blade to make sure it doesn't contact the shroud or radiator. I don't know how much the motor needs to be lifted for your job but it's certainly a concern on mine

 

[ginericLC]

I wouldn't completely unbolt them but I would loosen them. That rubber mount tends to crack as it gets older and if the put pressure on it that is going to put added stress on it. When I did mine I lifted the engine high enough that it touched the firewall. The bad part about that was that it crushed the heater Ts. So be careful as you are lifting and pay attention.

 

[whitec13]

I didn’t loosen the passenger side or the transmission bolts at all. I have read that it is frowned upon not to do so, but I didn’t. I also went much higher than most do, because of my intermediate shaft being seized on my steering rack. I had to pull it while still attached. Just my experience, maybe I got lucky by not breaking anything, but I also jacked specifically on the side I was working on. Not just the middle of the engine. So maybe it “rolled” to the side. Either way, the rack came out and the new rack went right in. Overall pretty easy, outside of Michigan rust.

Edit: to add on to the point made by @ginericLC ; watch the top, everywhere! Especially the fan shroud and heater T’s (if you haven’t done them, new should be fine).

 

[TahoeZ]

Loosen engine and transmission mount bolts and remove fan shroud bolts. Also a good time to replace engine mounts if they are original.

 

[Cooltech1050]

Loosen engine and transmission mount bolts and remove fan shroud bolts. Also a good time to replace engine mounts if they are original.

I second this, (note loosen enough to lift, no need to fully unbolt if mounts are good and you are not replacing them.) I'd also put some wood between your jack and whatever your lifting whether it be the engine, tranny, or a crossmember just to spread the the load. Hope I could help and Good Luck