Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) A question about removing a 47RE transmission on a Dodge 4x4

[HerbW]

I want to remove my auto transmission again to check my flexplate for cracking. Can I pull the transfer case without draining if I leave the two driveshafts intact to it. I'd unhook them from the axles only. I don't think anything should drain out in the connection between the transmission and tranfer case. I want to get in there quick and figure out what's now broke. I'd have it on a transmission jack. I don't know if I could safely pull both of them as one unit. Anybody do that?



I've pulled the whole works before and it's a solo job by me. I got a bad rattle in the bellhousing area when idling, especially in reverse while just sitting still. I have to find out what's going on. I need to go back to work sometime and won't have the time to be without a rig to drive once I do that.



Thanks for the help. Herb

 

[moparmikeJ]

Herb, I recently read somewhere about a complaint of rattling coming from the bell housing area on a Cummins with an auto and it was said to check the torque on the convertor bolts.

Hope this helps!

Mike

 

[n7gxz]

Front driveline bolts to a flang on the transfer case so not problem dropping it out. The rear driveline can be pulled and you'll loose maybe a cup of oil.



Kevin

 

[HerbW]

Mike, I've already retorqued the bolts that hold the converter in and barred the engine around looking for anything unusual thru the converter bolt hole opening and the bottom inspection plate. All looks fine. I don't know if anything could of come loose inside the converter and is rattling around. I am wondering if the flexplate is cracked but not visible without teardown. It now only rattles when it's cold. Everything works fine after that. Thanks

Thanks Kevin for the advice. Can anything drain out between the transmission and transfer case? It seems like they're sealed from each other. I had them out recently but I drained the transfer case then. Herb

 

[SMorneau]

The transfer case and transmission are both sealed independently.

 

[DWest]

Take starter off?

Please I don't want to hijack this thread but do you need to take off the starter to remove the transmission? A shop took mine out this past summer to repair the OD and when I went to CO. in October the starter nearly fell off in Iowa. Would like to square this with the shop but want to be sure before I get on him to hard. DWest

 

[ALepley]

Please I don't want to high jack this thread but do you need to take off the starter to remove the transmission? A shop took mine out this past summer to repair the OD and when I went to CO. in October the starter nearly fell off in Iowa. Would like to square this with the shop but want to be sure before I get on him to hard. DWest

No its not necessary at all to remove the starter to pull a trans:-laf. Unless replacing the bell housing for some reason.

 

[HerbW]

The transmission comes out fine with the starter intact. The Dodge Service Manual says to remove it for some lame reason though.

 

[Gene Heck]

Front drive shaft

If you are just going to slide the trans back a few inches so you can inspect the flexplate you can leave the trans and transfer together. If you were going to lower them out I would recommend separating them. There isn't any oil between the two. If you don't remove the front drive shaft it will make it a lot harder undoing the valve body and kickdown linkage plus getting the left side trans bolts out and back in. Where the fuel lines attach to the bell housing will be a lot harder to reinstall if your trying to fight around the driveshaft. My 96 has the shifter for the transfer mounted to the side of the trans case that has to be removed also. I think it would make it a little easier all around since you are working alone not to have the two driveshafts getting in your way. If you don't want to remove the oil from the transfer I don't think you will lose very much oil out of the transfer if your trans jack can keep every thing pretty level. You could just throw a baggie over the end with a little duct tape for as long as your going to have the trans and transfer slid back.

 

[JMcCoy]

Just drain the fluid into a clean container. Whatever time you save by not draining the fluid will be lost fumbling with drive shafts.