I need to get my transfer case out as it's leaking, but to get to it I need to remove the cross member supporting it.

 

I would put a wood block under the trans pan. Drill out a spot for the drain plug. I just had our pan off to change fluid and filter. It is made out of fairly thick steel, and should be able to support the tranny.

 

I agree, they have adjustable trans jacks that touch at the pan edges (where the bolts are) but don't need one.

 

I am having a hell of a time getting this damned thing out. I can't get a ratchet on the rear drivesahft bolts, I stripped two sockets on the front driveshaft bolts. Why are they 8mm? Everything has been soaking with pb blaster. I need a breaker bar. Just having a ****ty time with this process.

 

If you are just trying to get the transfer case out, the cross member can stay in place. It is awkward, but all 6 or so bolts can be reached with the cross member in place. I used a wrench for all of them I believe. If you have a racheting flexhead wrench that is easiest.

For the driveshaft, I used a long 8mm wrench, and hit it, to break it free.

 

My thread with a picture of what I used to remove my transmission


Looking at your pictures, I wonder if you might be confused on what is transfer case vs transmission.

The yellow line is the interface. The brownish part is the tailshaft of the transmission. The transfer case is the aluminum part ONLY.




If you are looking at it right, sorry for questioning you, but if you think the cross member needs to come out, it just seems you might be confused on what section goes with which part.

 

Transfer case is after the transmission. But it looks infinitely easier to get to the top bolt with the cross member off.

You see the line you drew? It's over a paper gasket, that is where it is leaking. Is that leaking from transmission or from transfer case? I don't know which side is sealed and which is open to fluid.

I got the driveshaft disconnected right after the trans, broke the head off a 12mm wrench and got the closed end around and in a pipe to get leverage. Front driveshaft seems to be trickier as it moves.

Can you engage the transfer case/4wd without starting the engine? IE putting the key to "ON" then turning on 4wd, so the driveshaft doesn't move?

 

Do like you said to engage the transfer case.

Sounds like you need better tools

It is not easy to get to all the bolts, but it can definitively be done.

Much easier than holding up the transmission.

You will have to get the tc off to see where the leak is. Mine had fluid coming from the tranny, but I was told not to worry about where it was coming from.

I wish I had resealed the tailshaft to the tranny when I had it all down.\

If it is the TC, there is a seal there at the input shaft.

 

Thanks. I got the front driveshaft disconnected at the transfer case with those 4 12mm bolts. Engaging 4wd with the key on didnt' do it, so I got a pry bar in there.

I don't have any long wrenches. I have the cheapo harbor frieght setup.

I am missing the top bolt on my transfer case, so I'll need another one of them.

I could get a stubby wrench in there, but without any leverage I can't get the bolts to move, that's my reasoning for wanting to drop the cross member. I can get to them, I just can't move when I'm there.

If it's leaking from the tranny I wont' refill. I have hte front end up as high as I can get it on my jack stands and hte jack, but even so I don't have a whole lot of room.

 

Also there's a rubber hose on top of the transfer case. It leads to the top of the transmission. Is this a breather or does fluid go through it?

 

Breather hose.

6 bolts one alignment dowel I believe.

Try locking the hubs also to hold the drive shaft.

Does the transfer case make any noise when the switch is flipped?

 

Transfer case makes the clicking sound when hte engine is running, but when it's not, nothing.

Normally I buy some throw-away tools when I do a job because I have a habit of losing them, however this time I went to town.

Electric impact driver
full set of 1/2" metric and sae impact sockets
extensions
3/8 impact sockets
1/2 to 3/8 extensions
1/2" telescoping ratchet
metric and sae ratcheting wrenches
12 ton shop press
odds and ends

I had it all, just scattered, and mostly under/on/in my toher excursion.

 

Did you get he bolts out yet?

 

I got the driveshafts off. Need to go for a 21mm deep socket soon as HF opens so I can get the cross member unbolted from the trans, then I'll disconnect it from the frame and get to the bolts.

 

Got the 21mm deep socket, only to discover that I was missing 15mm socket for the other supports... I put 16 on and it felt loose. So I got a 15mm open end and it fit right on. Searched for a 15mm impact socket without any luck, so another hour round trip to the hardware store. That has been the biggest issue, realizing I'm missing something, then having to drive all over to find the tool I need.