First time removing a transmission

[jodawill]

I was looking at my starter the other day when I noticed that the flywheel has a lot of chipped teeth. It may not be the end of the world, but I noticed that the rear main seal is leaking, so I might as well remove the transmission and replace those things. It was my grandpa's truck, and I'm trying to restore it to like new condition, or as close as I can possibly get.

 

This is the first vehicle I've ever worked on by myself, so I don't know very much. This will be the biggest job I've ever done, so I'm looking for advice. I watched a few YouTube videos and I bought the 800lbs transmission jack from Harbor Freight while they had the 20% off sale this weekend. I have a friend who said he'd help me with it since it's a two person job, but he also has no experience.

 

Beyond the basic instructions I'll find on YouTube, is there anything you guys think I should know before I do this? And what other work should I do while I have the transmission removed? Is there any maintenance or inspection I should be doing to the transmission itself? What are some other maintenance items or parts that could be replaced that can only be done while the transmission is removed?

 

It may be a long time before I'm able to remove the transmission again, so I want to make sure I complete every task imaginable while I have it out.

[Smokeyyank]

Welcome to great part about Jeeps, making mechanics out of everyone! What transmission you got? Its not too hard to drop, especially with some extra hands and a jack.  Get some wobble sockets or extensions. Nut on top is a B. As for other things not a lot. Rear main is the biggest. 

[jodawill]

14 minutes ago, Smokeyyank said:

Welcome to great part about Jeeps, making mechanics out of everyone! What transmission you got? Its not too hard to drop, especially with some extra hands and a jack.  Get some wobble sockets or extensions. Nut on top is a B. As for other things not a lot. Rear main is the biggest. 

I get to demonstrate my ignorance again here. I have no idea which transmission it is. It's an automatic and the truck is a 1990 Pioneer. But as for the specific transmission, 

I don't know.

 

I have plenty of extensions. I've been stocking up on all the basic tools as they go on sale at Harbor Freight. I just picked up the wobble extension set a couple weeks ago.

[hgeranium]

5 minutes ago, jodawill said:

I get to demonstrate my ignorance again here. I have no idea which transmission it is. It's an automatic and the truck is a 1990 Pioneer. But as for the specific transmission, 

I don't know.

Probably an AW4

[89 MJ]

Definitely an AW4. 
 

Is your truck 2wd or 4wd? The transfer case will make it trickier if it’s 4wd, but still not bad.
 

Keep an eye on the trans dipstick as it’s coming out so you don’t bend it. 

 

You might want to add your truck’s info to your signature. 

[jodawill]

13 minutes ago, 89 MJ said:

Definitely an AW4. 
 

Is your truck 2wd or 4wd? The transfer case will make it trickier if it’s 4wd, but still not bad.
 

Keep an eye on the trans dipstick as it’s coming out so you don’t bend it. 

 

You might want to add your truck’s info to your signature. 

It's just a 2wd. Thanks for the heads up on the dipstick! I suppose it would make sense to just remove it first.

[derf]

Two of the bolts may be inverted torx, or E-Torx.  It's best to get the right socket for them.

 

They're at about 10 o-clock and 2 o-clock on the bellhousing.

 

This is a reasonably priced set.

 

https://www.amazon.com/SEDY-14-Pieces-Female-Socket-External/dp/B08DF4PRZF/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zzu9jJFWQt6hZ2lamUZlckpUx5bZwFqzTCMIoK2SPDOPJVy_QnFfA21T7Be0k4pq2ENWKIkk3pyp1-W377NGBc9XyPp1NRVOGByGep5gKdxqtKADdJH4vXplXv3d43jqeSVDxcb5xseJY8bLfzfT6fxdkjSS8rmkcV33PXSOe3_NGSzGRTiISsU1YJ05YvyJnA89X0mfsEkQ1Nr7WnnPMQ.i3gKRL_sVZihT4NpKbHfNEr-7-3IMeUbhMb8pF_RCIw&dib_tag=se&keywords=inverted+torx+socket+set&qid=1779769601&sr=8-4

[pizzaman09]

Just to let you know, you don't need to remove the transmission to replace the rear main seal.  The Jeep 4.0L utilizes a two piece seal on the rear most main bearing cap.  To replace that seal you actually remove the oil pan.  That said it can be convenient to have the transmission out of the way but it definitely is not required.

[jodawill]

9 hours ago, derf said:

Two of the bolts may be inverted torx, or E-Torx.  It's best to get the right socket for them.

 

They're at about 10 o-clock and 2 o-clock on the bellhousing.

 

This is a reasonably priced set.

 

https://www.amazon.com/SEDY-14-Pieces-Female-Socket-External/dp/B08DF4PRZF/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zzu9jJFWQt6hZ2lamUZlckpUx5bZwFqzTCMIoK2SPDOPJVy_QnFfA21T7Be0k4pq2ENWKIkk3pyp1-W377NGBc9XyPp1NRVOGByGep5gKdxqtKADdJH4vXplXv3d43jqeSVDxcb5xseJY8bLfzfT6fxdkjSS8rmkcV33PXSOe3_NGSzGRTiISsU1YJ05YvyJnA89X0mfsEkQ1Nr7WnnPMQ.i3gKRL_sVZihT4NpKbHfNEr-7-3IMeUbhMb8pF_RCIw&dib_tag=se&keywords=inverted+torx+socket+set&qid=1779769601&sr=8-4

 

I didn't know that. I'll double check it. Thanks!

 

1 hour ago, pizzaman09 said:

Just to let you know, you don't need to remove the transmission to replace the rear main seal.  The Jeep 4.0L utilizes a two piece seal on the rear most main bearing cap.  To replace that seal you actually remove the oil pan.  That said it can be convenient to have the transmission out of the way but it definitely is not required.

That's interesting. I didn't know that either!

[JZLAJeep]

12 hours ago, derf said:

Two of the bolts may be inverted torx, or E-Torx.  It's best to get the right socket for them.

 

They're at about 10 o-clock and 2 o-clock on the bellhousing.

This is a good heads up. We didn't know these were E-torx (thought it was just hex) and rounded the head off. That was 'fun.' Replace the bolts with hex heads when you put them back.

 

Also make sure you unplug the CPS and make sure the plug is not snagged on anything in the engine bay... 

 

4 hours ago, pizzaman09 said:

Just to let you know, you don't need to remove the transmission to replace the rear main seal.  The Jeep 4.0L utilizes a two piece seal on the rear most main bearing cap.  To replace that seal you actually remove the oil pan.  That said it can be convenient to have the transmission out of the way but it definitely is not required.

With this said, removing the oil pan is A LOT easier when the transmission is out...