well my question is this My f150 4X4 has a sick thoughout bearing and must have it changed. we are trying to figur out where to split the trany from the power trnsfer case and if the darn cross member has to be removed ? not this looks like it would be a bear of a thing to take out.we hope to be able to slide a new throughout bearing in through the opening that the trany mouts to. any advice?

 

You have to pull the x-mbr, but you don't necessarily have to split the x-fer case off. If you can handle the bulk & weight of both, you might as well leave them together. But the trans has to come all the way out to get a new throwout bearing in. Check your rear main seal, the crank pilot bearing, and all the freeze plugs while you have it apart.

 

You may want to think about the equipment you have. If you have a hard surface, and a engine hoist, then sometimes it is easier to pull the motor. If you have a way to handle the tranny/transfer case, then that may be easier. On a fuel injected motor, I don't know which would be easier, but an older carbed motor is nothing to pull out if you are equipped correctly. Usually the hardest part is the exhaust y-pipe.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-12-03 AT 06:43 PM (EST)]Having replaced a few clutches (and throwouts for that matter), I found it easier to take the xfer case off, then the tranny, instead of as one whole unit. My tranny jack wasn't designed for the difference in width that the xfer case has over the tranny. If you don't drain either one you can experience a sudden shift in balance and end up with one or the other cracked from a sudden fall... breaking them apart, but leave the fluids intact and you'll need a second hand to lift the stuff off the jack (unless you have two).

The advantage that I can see from leaving them together is you won't have to change any gaskets (mine always had a mating gasket between the tranny and xfer case).

I've tried to pull engines (simple ones without too much externally mounted garbage)to do the clutch and found it was extremely difficult. Trying to clear the radiator, even with the fan gone, proved to be interesting. Ended up taking off the hood, and I can never get those centered right after breaking them loose. :-X23 The advantages to leaving the tranny/xfer case in there and pulling the engine: well you don't have screw with the interior, shifters and linkages, or any wiring on the tranny/transfer case.

Now doesn't that sound like any method is fun? ...which method was easier? Guess you'll have to experiment. While you're doing the throwout, you may want to do a clutch job anyway. Save you some time from having to tear back into it later.;-)

-Kerry

 

The last clutch I did in my truck, I pulled the motor. Why? One wire for the ignition, swing the alt and p/s pump off to the side, undo the exhaust manifolds, and REMOVE the radiator. I took me all of about 5 hours to change the clutch, and have the truck back on the road. Oh yeah, I changed the oil pan and gasket while I was at it.

 

See, it is a matter of preference. Took me five hours dropping the xfer case, then the tranny, to do the clutch on the '82. It's all in the cards and whether you have the right lift. I had a 5 ton hoist to lift the whole vehicle up, much cheaper for the cherry picker

-Kerry

 

well to answer some of the questions this is an 86 for f150 4x4 which has been run in the wisconsin winter so their is considerable corosion on most parts. pulling the motor with efi is a job do have a cheery picker availible also have flor jack and a trany adapter so am inprocess of removing the transfer case from the transmision aka the aluminum to cast conection beiing the cast apears to be part of the trany eve though it bolt on in an unusual fashion. all wires are removed but am having a hell of a time getting the thig to seperate am soakin with penetrating oit to help loosen. The brace is another joy this is a two piec thing that seem to be ade to realy test skills you can get to the bottom bolts but not the top so i hope that i can pry and slide the thing with the bottom bolts loosen and removed that is if my air ratchet can break the loose I mayhave to go and break out the 1" drive for this job. any Ideas ongetting the transfer case loose would be a big help.
cya
paul

 

If all you're doing is replacing the release bearing I wouldn't pull the transmission or the transfer case the whole way out. Remove the shifter, drive shafts, wiring etc and the mount. Leave the crossmember in place. Twist the transmission/transfer case until it is sitting on it's side and slide it back on the crossmember. That gives you enough room to replace the bearing.