Hi fellows. I am about to undertake a clutch R&R in my '95 F150, 300-six, 5-speed, 4x4. I have all the new parts (clutch, pressure plate, bearing/slave, bushing, alignment tool and flywheel. I have two questions: 1) Should I separate the transfer case and remove it first? 2) What is a good way to secure the transmission to my floor jack when removing/installing it?

Thank you (in advance) for any good advice you may have!

Brandon (Olympia, WA)

 

Definitely remove the transfer case from the transmission first. The transmission would be too bulky and lopsided with the transfer case hooked to it.

I would try to get a regular transmission jack, rather than trying to use a floor jack. You wouldn't need anything fancy. Maybe you can rent one or if you have a Harbor Freight near you, I think they have those tranny jacks you use a half inch drive ratchet to raise and lower the tranny with. They work great atleast compared to nothing.

 

Here is how I just did mine:

I use a trans jack with the flat plate under the belly of the trans, and a floor jack under the part of the transfer case that hangs out. Once you separate the trans from the motor, you can manuver them both down towards the ground. I wouldnt separate them if you dont have to.

 

Separating the two of them makes lining them back up for re-install a lot easier but I guess I can seeing leaving them together if you have a way to lift the whole assembly in place and then fine-tine it by hand.

However, separating them isn't exactly a whole lot of work either.

Make SURE that you have your flywheel re-surfaced by a machine shop before you install the new clutch. Don't skip this step! You may also need a pilot bearing puller. I needed one when I did mine. The grease & dowel trick did not even come close to getting my pilot bearing out of the crank.

 

+1 for getting a pilot bearing removal tool - get the kind that attaches to the end of a slide hammer, there is a small jackscrew type that doesn't work worth a darn!

+1 for separating the trans and transfer case - it's going to be very heavy and awkward with them together. Unless you've got the truck on a two post lift and using a proper transmission jack - then good on yah! . If you're on the ground with a floor jack, separating them will make life much easier.

Resurfacing the flywheel is a very good idea. It makes the new clutch very smooth. The job is definately better if you can get the flywheel to a machine shop. I live with a little bit of shudder on my 95 because I didn't have time to turn the flywheel.