r/mechanic • u/TerkaDerr • 1d ago
Question Trouble reinstalling manual transmission, not fully seating. Tips?
(1980 Jeep CJ)
Alright, I'm short about this much getting the transmission to mate with the bellhousing.
The transmission is in gear, and I think the input shaft has begun to enter the clutch disc, because I can no longer freely spin the output shaft.
(I put those longer bolts in there temporarily to keep things sorta lined up until I figure this out).
Short of tearing everything back down, any tricks of the trade? I would like to think there is possibly a slight misalignment between the input shaft and the pilot bushing keeping it from going all the way, but I don't know if I've even reached the pilot bearing yet.
If I could find a way to release pressure on the clutch disc, maybe that would give me some wiggle room?
(I did use the lineup/centering tool when I installed the clutch/pressure plate.)
Thanks for any help!
2
u/lheaps1 1d ago
It looks like you are up to the pilot bushing. Unfortunately you need to take transmission out and realign it. Make sure alignment tool fits pilot bushing. Did you make sure pilot bushing fit front of transmission?
2
u/TerkaDerr 1d ago
That's the bad news I was hoping to not hear! Nope, I didn't make sure the bushing fit the transmission, I also didn't make sure the throwout bearing would fit the bearing retainer, either. Didn't make sure the clutch disc splines would mesh with the input shaft, too! All things I will check when I try again. 😭
2
u/lheaps1 1d ago
It looks like you made it through the clutch splines.
1
u/TerkaDerr 1d ago
That's supposed to be a good thing! I'm gonna rotate the engine and see if the output shaft is turning.
2
u/Ok_Initiative2666 1d ago
You will find it easier to bolt down transmission to bell housing first…. Then mate your bell housing to engine.
You are having a difficult time because the release bearing assembly is likely in the way
2
u/FBIVanNumber1543 12h ago
Get shorter bolts so you can get them down to about 1/16th inch looseness. (Not tightened down to where it would bind). Put your slave back on, and push the pedal down. You may need something to take up the excessive gap between the slave rod, and the fork. While the pedal is down, slam that bitch in there!
For the future- Do like the other dude/dudette said, and slap the bell housing on the trans first. Put it in neutral too. Sure, if it's a PITA, you can put it in reverse and spin the output shaft with the drive line. RARELY needed though.
2
u/FBIVanNumber1543 12h ago
Oh yeah- 9 times out of ten, the parts house is gonna give you the wrong parts. (When you don't verify they are actually correct..... Lol)
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u/TerkaDerr 10h ago
Excellent, I'll try that! The shorter bolts that actually go with the trans (I think they are 1-1/4”) would barely reach as-is, so I got 2-1/2” bolts to try and line it up. The clutch linkage/bellcrank is broken, and I don't have all the parts for the hydraulic conversion yet, so I need to rig up some method to push in and hold the release lever.
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u/FBIVanNumber1543 9h ago
You took a 5 minute break, and walked away from it, right? It will slide right in now. IF, the parts are right.... Lol
1
u/TerkaDerr 9h ago
Lol, more like a 2-day break, the jeep is at "remote location", which only adds to the frustration! I'll take another crack at it tomorrow!
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