Under the Lift - Transmission Digest

Main Navigation

Advertisement
Social Connect
Resources
Our Brand Family
Transmission Digest - Babcox Media
Helping transmission shops achieve successful and profitable operation.
Automatic Transmission

Under the Lift

As one being involved with diagnosing transmission issues, developing technical information for seminars and bulletins as well as writing technical repair manuals, the one aspect of the transmission business I rarely think about is the R&R process. In Canada I hear them say “Ree and Ree” which is a nice quick way of describing the process of removing and re-installing the transmission. The lack of attention on this aspect of the transmission business does not indicate that it is insignificant. In fact, removing and re-installing transmissions is a critical aspect of the business. It is hard work and requires talent to do the job right.

Wayne Colonna
By Wayne Colonna
Published:

Technically Speaking

  • Author: Wayne Colonna
  • Subject Matter: Ree and Ree
  • Issue: Bolt snapping

Technical Training

As one being involved with diagnosing transmission issues, developing technical information for seminars and bulletins as well as writing technical repair manuals, the one aspect of the transmission business I rarely think about is the R&R process. In Canada I hear them say “Ree and Ree” which is a nice quick way of describing the process of removing and re-installing the transmission. The lack of attention on this aspect of the transmission business does not indicate that it is insignificant. In fact, removing and re-installing transmissions is a critical aspect of the business. It is hard work and requires talent to do the job right.

Related Articles

Since my focus is always on transmission tech, I rarely get to see the wide variety of challenges that come with this type of work. While at WiWi’s Transmissions, a local shop here in Miami, one of these Ree and Ree challenges were brought to my attention. It may be an old challenge for those who do this work but it was new to me. Since I rarely get to present this aspect of the business I thought it would be a great opportunity to do so. It is possible that someone has yet to deal with this problem, making it a helpful piece of information.

This has to do with a Chrysler Town and Country using the 62TE transmission. There is a 5-bolt cross member supporting the front transmission mount as seen in figures 1 and 2. The most forward bolt is in a very harsh environment (Figure 3). The threads of this bolt tend to get seized and will break when trying to remove it. Soaking it down with a rust buster and hitting it with some heat may help get the bolt out without breaking it. But there are many cases where it will still break.

One workaround is to loosen this bolt just slightly. Then, with the transmission properly supported, unbolt the mount and the other four cross-member bolts. Then swing the cross member to one side providing the necessary room to remove the transmission. One caveat that may be encountered doing it this way is that the bolt may not tighten up sufficiently. This will produce a vibration and a possible noise. Making a shim to go between the cross member and body frame will resolve that issue.

Some of these vehicles come with a custom body lift from the factory. The front bolt on this style cross member has a spacer as you can see in Figure 4. Interestingly enough, this style has not been “as” problematic as those without the body lift. But be cautious as they too are prone to bolt snapping.

You May Also Like

Automatic Transmission

Sherlock Holmes Approach to an AB60 No-Move Situation

The effectiveness in diagnosing automatic transmission malfunctions is an art form. Although there are similarities among the wide varieties of transmissions on the road, each transmission has its own peculiarities. Aside from having mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical hardware systems to contend with, software/programming issues and various vehicle platforms make diagnostics much more difficult.  Using scopes provides

Wayne Colonna
By Wayne Colonna
Published:
ab60

The effectiveness in diagnosing automatic transmission malfunctions is an art form. Although there are similarities among the wide varieties of transmissions on the road, each transmission has its own peculiarities. Aside from having mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical hardware systems to contend with, software/programming issues and various vehicle platforms make diagnostics much more difficult. 

Read Full Article

More Automatic Transmission Posts
GM 6T40 Pump Identification Guide

The 6T40 was introduced in 2008 for General Motors front-wheel-drive cars in the Chevrolet Malibu and has gone through several changes throughout its three generations, specifically in the pump area. The 6T40 is closely related to the more lightweight 6T30 and the heavier duty 6T45 and 6T50. Generation one started phasing out during the 2012

By Jason Larochelle
Seeing the Forest AND the Trees

They say that the proverbial phrase “I couldn’t see the forest for the trees” means that a person or organization cannot see the big picture because it focuses too much on the details. Related Articles – 4L60E Harsh 1-2 Shift – TASC Force Tips: Diagnosing 8L45 & 8L90 Shift Complaints – TASC Force Tips: Hydraulics

By Wayne Colonna
The Manifold Pipeway

The Honda six-speed transmission has been on the bench of many specialty shops for one reason or another (figure 1). But, for those of you who have yet to lay your hands on one, mounted on the upper side of the unit is one of the largest, if not the largest solenoid and pressure switch

By Wayne Colonna
8L90 Vacuum Testing

Below are the diagrams for vacuum testing GM 8L90 transmissions. Note: OE valves are shown in rest position and should be tested in rest position unless otherwise indicated. Test locations are pointed to with an arrow. Springs are not shown for visual clarity. A low vacuum reading indicates wear. For specific vacuum test information, refer

By Sonnax

Other Posts

Sometimes, a diagnostic code is all you need

With ATSG having the opportunity to help shops solve problems, sometimes we get faced with some real doozies. A shop will call and give us a laundry list of DTCs, leaving us to think someone must have a bulkhead connector unplugged. We then go through the arduous task of deciding which codes prompted other codes

By Wayne Colonna
10L80 and 10R80 pump gear differences

You may have seen an article in the August 2023 issue of Transmission Digest called “GM 10L80: A new kind of pump noise,” which goes over how the front cover housing in the 10L80 is fitted with a converter drive gear and idler gear. The idler gear drives the pump’s driven gear, and is press

By Wayne Colonna
Spotting different 68RFE designs through the years to avoid issues

The Chrysler 68RFE has had several changes through the years. Its four-speed predecessor began with a noisy solenoid pack identified by a black colored pass-through case connector (seen in Figure 1).  Related Articles – A guide to common GM, Ford and Nissan programming issues – Shift of the shaft: Diagnosing Chrysler 48RE manual shaft issues

By Wayne Colonna
Sometimes, you should sweat the small stuff

It’s a common phrase: There may have been a time when you worried about something, and someone who knew what you are going through said, “Hey, don’t sweat the small stuff.” Sometimes, this may be good advice. But other times, it may be wise to handle the small stuff before it becomes bigger “stuff.”  Related

By Wayne Colonna