transmission jack, rear main seal, clutch Question?

[Ol'TrailDog]

Well, its time to replace the leaking rear main seal. That means dropping the transfer and the transmission. So, I need to buy a transmission jack. Since I do not plan on using one much I am looking at something economical. I don't want to rent one because I live out of town and won't be in a hurry because I will do the clutch and flywheel (bye bye needle bearing and hello bronze bushing) whilst pawing around in the innards.



I've looked at some 60-80 dollar jacks from JCWhitney and Freight Habor. Then I saw an attachment that fits on top of a regular floor jack on Ebay. Any experience, comments, or opinions with either of these two options?



While I'm asking, any opinions on the clutch. OEM or aftermarket, e. g. South Bend. Keep in mind I'm not pulling, bombing, racing, or flush with cash



TIA

 

[Philip]

I have one of the floor jack adapters. I got it from Mack Tools a couple of decades ago. It is a lot heavier than the cheaper knock off's you see today.



The down side to one of these is most likely you will not get the truck high enough to slide the trans out from under the vehicle. Mine from the floor to the resting plate is about 12".



If you don't plan on needing the trans out from under the truck. Then one of these will work.



Split the trans and transfer case apart. If your setup is wrong with them bolted together. It can flip the jack over.

 

[BJMarshall]

I had one of the cheapo adapters once and if I were you I wouldn't buy one. I have a nice Snap-On hydraulic transmission jack, but it is overkill for the NV4500. I use a cheap scissor type that I got from Harbor Freight. It uses a 1/2" drive ratchet or impact and it has a ratchet strap to hold the transmission steady. It doesn't handle a 5600 very well, but I have pulled several 47re's and 4500's with it. It lets down low enough to get the trans out from under a truck while on jack stands. Automatics have to come out by the rear axle, but they will still come out.

 

[Joe G.]

I have a transmission jack from Harbor Freight. The big problem with a floor jack adapter is that the floor jack just can't be moved sideways. Major PITA to use because it's so hard to line the transmission up when you put it back in.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Thanks a bunch for the info. Sounds like I'll pick up a Freight Harbor scissor style in Billings next month.

 

[bgilbert]

Here is the transmission jack I bought from Harbor Freight: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=4075. Was their 2000lb unit IIRC. After using it, I would even prefer a bigger one, just to feel safer. When you get to HF, check out all their jacks real good. At first I was gonna get one of their cheaper 800lb units. After looking at it, I'd feel safer using my standard floor jack. This one worked nicely. I think I got it when it was on sale though.

 

[BSmalley]

I bought one from Northern Hydraulics last year. IIRC I paid about $100 and it has a 1 ton capacity. Used it for my 5600 and it worked great. Especially going back in due to the fine adjustment knobs on the saddle.

If you need, I can go look at it this afternoon and get the info off it and post for you.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

BSmalley,



When I looked up Northern Hydraulics on the web I came up with a site in Gt. Falls, MT... just next door, sort of. They had a couple of floor jack makes, Omega which were too expensive and Norco which didn't have prices. I would lay out $100 for a decent jack. So if its not too much bother I would appreciate any info you could scrounge up.



TIA

 

[EdK]

Ol' timer trick

A buddy and I have the transmission in and out of our pulling truck quite often. I use a little trick that helps align the transmission when installing it.



Cut the heads off a couple of bolts of the proper diameter and thread pitch. Using a hacksaw or cut-off wheel, cut a slot in the end the head was removed from. Screw them into holes on the right and left side of the bell housing (block if auto trans). As the transmission is being installed, it will slide over the guide pins and fit right up! After installing a couple bolts to hold it in place, the guide pins are removed using a screwdriver in the slots!



The length of these guide pins is determined by the point at which the trans hits the body when being raised up and moved forward.



Even though I have a lift and we use a special fixture attached to my forklift, these guide pins have proven their worth over and over.



Ed

 

[BSmalley]

I checked for my paperwork, but was unable to locate it. I bought either:

Northerntool.com item #144845 1000 lb cap. for 149. 99, or

Harborfreight.com item #3185-2VGA 800 lb cap for 139. 99.

They both look exactly the same as the one I have, I just dont remember which company I bought it from. I THINK I got the heaver unit because it was only a $10 difference. Although, the 5600 only weighs less than 450 lbs according to the transmission shop, so either jack would work fine. A friend f mine and I changed his 95 4500 to a 5600 and we had pulled both of those transmission's numerous times for various repairs. Also in my 01 with the 5600 to do the clutch. Jack was the best $150 Ive spent. We do have a heated garage but no lift, so we do this on the floor laying on your back-REAL GOOD TIME. but the jack worked excellent especially due to those fine adjustments.

Another trick we learned is when you are reinstalling the transmission, jack it up and forward until yuo are close. It seems that it is fairly easy to get the transmission all the way in until the last 1-1 1/2 inches. If you get it that close, hook up the clutch slave cylinder and have someone push the clutch pedal in while you put slight forward pressure on the transmission. You'll think the transmission is going right out the front of the truck it goes in so fast and easy. We discovered this by accident the first time we put a clutch in the 95 with the 4500. After we fought with it for a couple hours. Back then we were using a plain old floor jack. After that time, we have used that trick every time and it has worked. It usually only takes a couple of minutes (less than 15) from the floor until transmission is installed with a couple of bolts holding it.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Thanks guys for the jack info and especially the transmission install tips. May even help me keep my salvation (mechanicing has a tendency to bring out the "old man" real quick when things aren't going well, tsk, tsk, )

 

[BSmalley]

I looked at the jack I have and it is the 1/2 ton model. Still can't find the paperwork where i bought it from but on the jack it says it is a Torin Big Red 1/2 Ton. The phone number on the jack is 1-888-44TORIN. Maybe you can get it from them direct.

Bill

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Hey Bill,



Thanks for scrounging the info up. I can get a 1/2 T Torin from Northern Tool for $149. Or the 1T Torin for $179.

 

[BSmalley]

I was going through the tax paperwork today and found the bill. It was from Northern for $149 total. Actually the jack was on sale for $99 but S&H was $50. Was well woth it though...