besides wd-40, i need to know a way to get TOUGH bolts out, any tricks, advice PLEASE!!! i can't get any leverage, cause, on some of the upper tranny bolts, i need to use a MILLION extensions, and a unniversal joint, also... I CAN'T GET THE DIPSTICK OUT OF THE TRANNY....


ANYONE please help!!! i been struggling in the garage for hours!!

 

One long extension plus a universal work for me. Linking extensions together makes it too flexible. But with the TH400, there's the bolt in the upper left that was an absolute biatch. I got to it ok, but since it's long (to clear the tranny shield) it was a mother to back out all the way. I cut an access hole in the floor for next time. If you are contemplating this, be careful where you drill or it will look like Swiss cheese . The best way is to drill from outside in to be sure you are in the right place.

Rich krause

 

well, i can't/won't go drilling any holes in the floor... and the only things i have long evnough is 4 separate extensions...


tis a BIOTCH but its just no coming out... i can't spend 2 hours on each bell housin bolts... what do i do?


also... i REALLY need to know how to get the dipstick out... cause it, also, isn't moving

 

Go to Sears and buy a LONG extension, I have one thats a least 3 feet, and a set of Flex Sockets. These are the ones that have the universal already on the socket. I'm assuming you have already removed the cross member and have let the tail of the trans down for more room. Don't let the trans hang on the motor mounts, support it with a jack.
The dip stick tube is held in with a small bolt at the base of the tube and a bracket that goes on one of the trans. mount bolts.

 

thank you!!!!

i did not know there was a bolt on the dipstick...

ummm... the trannys been hanging by the motor mounts for 3 days and one 15 mile tow... whoops...

 

The first time I did that tranny dipstick it was a bitch. I think if I remember right I just left it hanging and didn't even put the bolt through it and it was fine. I think it is in now after the last time I pulled the tranny.

WD-40 is crap, get some real penetrating oil. I use aero kroil as it was suggested on the board by a couple guys that finished a heads/cam swap and it works like magic.

For the tranny (and for numerous other things) you need a ridiculously long extension (3 footer) or you will have a very hard time getting a couple of those bolts out.

 

WHERE IS THIS BOLT?!?! i went searching for it for 10 minutes... there is no bolt there... and i even looked on the new tranny on the ground... no place for a bolt

 

I thought mine was bolted in w/ one of the bellhousing bolts, or mounted to the head, but w/ the crossover tube and egr running back there, I don't really remember.

I use Sea Foam penetrating lubricant, works pretty well, got it from NAPA.

And man, invest in some good quality tools. A tool set from wal-mart or flea market is just that. it will save you money initially, but cost you out the butt in time, blood, tears, and broken parts, trust me, I have lived the tale. Any local parts store, napa, autozone, advance auto, pep boys, sears, even home improvement stores sell decent quality tools.

listen to these guys, go get a nice long extension and universal. the more time you spend dicking around w/ multiple extensions and cheap universals means more time wasted. Each extension you add together adds more and more slop to the overall tool. If you get just one, you don't have to worry about it, get a nice tight connection and get your bolts out with minimum effort.

good luck.