removing the transfer case. how many bananas?

[High Desert]

All this talk about the tranny/transfer case seals, how big a deal is it to drop just the transfer case to do the seal deal? Or does the tranny need to come out too?

I don't need clutch or other seals, really, really don't want to drop the tranny et all...

 

[Jan-78FJ40]

All this talk about the tranny/transfer case seals, how big a deal is it to drop just the transfer case to do the seal deal? Or does the tranny need to come out too?

I don't need clutch or other seals, really, really don't want to drop the tranny et all...

You don't need to drop the tranny. However, the transfer case (split case) needs to be partially disassembled to get to the seal, so the procedure is more a pain than difficult (2 bananas for difficulty, 4 bananas for work time).

Basically you need to (from memory, so please someone correct me if something's wrong):
take off the rear driveshaft
take off the shifter linkage, where it goes into the transfer
take off the PTO cover, and the input shaft cover
take off the rear output flange
take off the case housing (when you do that, the idler shaft and gear might slip out, together with the spacers and such. so you need to know what is in there and in which order).
then you can take off the gears on the input shaft, and then you can get to the seal.
getting the seal in is a major pain too, BTW.
Then you can reassemble all with new seals.

Honestly, if you take a weekend, or a long day with help, you could take the transfer-tranny off as a combo, do the work on a bench, not crouched under your truck, and rebuild the transfer at the same time with new seals and bearings.

If it is only your seal that is leaking, you could put in the oil transfer kit that SOR or MAF sell, and be done within 30 minutes, and it'll be just fine (that won't work if you have an auto, of course, due to the ATF in the tranny).

cheers,
J

 

[High Desert]

thanks J

But mine is going from the tranny to the transfer..so I guess I gotta eventually go in there and fix it.

I checked the levels the other day, tansfer case over full, Tranny was only down about a 1/4 inch could not touch the oil with my finger but with a Q-tip could reach it just below the threads...so I don't think it is too bad, yet.

I'll probably wait and drop the whole thing...
thanks
HD

 

[2mbb]

I think it's so much easier to drop the transmission and the transfer case, drag them out from under the truck and do the transfer case disassembly with the transmission on an engine stand, or something similar (someone made a stand from a plywood box with a hole in the top and set the transmission on the box with the input shaft pointing down through the hole). However, you do need something to hold onto the transmission/transfer combo while you drop it and to reinstall. I use a cheapo harbor freight "transmission jack" with a plywood platform on top.

The transmission is held onto the bell housing with four bolts. While the transfer case disassembly to get to the seal requires spiltting the case, removing the gears and removing the front half of the case from the transmission. Yes, it's more "work" to remove the transmission, but you will be spending a lot less time under the truck if you do.

I've done it by myself three or four times now, and I'm getting ready to do it again (probably starting this weekend).

 

[High Desert]

I think it's so much easier to drop the transmission and the transfer case, drag them out from under the truck and do the transfer case disassembly with the transmission on an engine stand, or something similar (someone made a stand from a plywood box with a hole in the top and set the transmission on the box with the input shaft pointing down through the hole). However, you do need something to hold onto the transmission/transfer combo while you drop it and to reinstall. I use a cheapo harbor freight "transmission jack" with a plywood platform on top.

The transmission is held onto the bell housing with four bolts. While the transfer case disassembly to get to the seal requires spiltting the case, removing the gears and removing the front half of the case from the transmission. Yes, it's more "work" to remove the transmission, but you will be spending a lot less time under the truck if you do.

I've done it by myself three or four times now, and I'm getting ready to do it again (probably starting this weekend).

Okay, I'll look at a road map and show up this weekend, How far are you from Central Oregon?..YOU can do two!! shouldn't be a big deal (for me..except drive time and fuel). But you've done it a few times..I'll bring beer and keep em coming..

seriously though..yeh I'll drop it all, and reseal the whole works. I think what had me being stoopid about it was: thinking about a clutch job type of involvement..but Obviously, that ain't part of the deal..which gets back to the stoopid part on my part..

 

[2mbb]

I'm near SF. When I was a kid the family used to drive to Portland. It was a 14 hour drive or something like that.

The thing about the clutch job, once the transmission is out, the clutch is right there...not that much more work (more money though). I'll be inspecting my clutch and if it seems worn, I'll be replacing at least the friction disc.

The part I always struggle with is getting the transmission and transfer case out from under the truck. My garage height clearance is not good, so I leave the truck on it's wheels. After I pull the TM/TF with the transmission jack, I lift it and the plywood platform off the jack and set it on the floor. The drag it out from under the truck. The middle part is the tough part. I have a couple of crude brackets bolted to the plywood and then I use two small floor jacks to lift the plywood up, I slide the transmission jack out, then lower the plywood with it's cargo to the ground. Having a two or three guys would make it a lot easier.

Another method would be to remove the transmission tunnel and use an engine hoist to suppor the TM/TF, then drop them to the ground.

 

[mrlocksmith]

I'll be doing mine this weekend too.. NEW H55F HEHEHEHE !!!!!

I'm going to rebuild the t-case as well so I might be putting it all back in next weeeknd.

Later

Mark

 

[High Desert]

I'm near SF. When I was a kid the family used to drive to Portland. It was a 14 hour drive or something like that.

The thing about the clutch job, once the transmission is out, the clutch is right there...not that much more work (more money though). I'll be inspecting my clutch and if it seems worn, I'll be replacing at least the friction disc.

The part I always struggle with is getting the transmission and transfer case out from under the truck. My garage height clearance is not good, so I leave the truck on it's wheels. After I pull the TM/TF with the transmission jack, I lift it and the plywood platform off the jack and set it on the floor. The drag it out from under the truck. The middle part is the tough part. I have a couple of crude brackets bolted to the plywood and then I use two small floor jacks to lift the plywood up, I slide the transmission jack out, then lower the plywood with it's cargo to the ground. Having a two or three guys would make it a lot easier.

Another method would be to remove the transmission tunnel and use an engine hoist to suppor the TM/TF, then drop them to the ground.

Yikes..well maybe Mr Locksmith has a bigger garage..he's closer, and I may do a H55 some day too.

wow that's a big league muscle job..I have enough room to get my rig up high enough to use the lift that was pictured and roll it out...and...my clutch is only about 5K miles old...when I did the clutch job this oil exchange was not a happening deal or all this would be moot.
Good luck on the project, i'd come help drag stuff around and get educated on the process, if it wasn't so far.

HD