Anyone have any tips on getting the mainshaft to slide into the clutch disk? I spent all day trying to get it to align and slide into the pilot bearing but couldn't. I tried to install the bellhousing first, then slide the trans in, and just tried with the bellhousing installed on the trans.... I've been able to get through all the other obstacles so far, but this one got to me today....any help is appreciated.

 

vice grips on the tailshaft and turn it until you feel it lock into the clutch disk then go back with it

 

I have heard of people installing the bellhousing and then getting some long bolts and cutting the heads off and screwing those into the bellhousing that way they can line the tranny up a little easier and pull it in there, while sliding on the bolts. I did mine with a buddy and that was a huge factor in being able to rotate it and push all at once. Popping it in gear so the output will spin the input will also help a bunch.

 

thats a good idea for the bolts. I had it so the tailshaft wouldn't spin anymore, but it just wouldn't slide in all the way. Talk about precision fit, the clutch disc has no play on the splines of the mainshaft so u have to have it PERFECT or it won't go in.... I'll give it another go tomorrow. I might try to install the trans without the bellhousing just to get a idea what angle it needs to go in, then back it out and install the bellhousing, that way the trans is in the right position to slide in.

 

bolt the bell up first, then get the tranny right up there ready to stab... have the tranny in gear so that you can turn the tailshaft to get the splines to line up.

I think what I ended up doing on my 97 was getting the thing ready to go, so far as starting to thread the tranny bolts...

then just press the clutch pedal and the disk will align and it'll fall right in place.

 

I knocked the pivot ball spring clip off trying to get the release bearing on the mainshaft the first time I installed the bellhousing first. So I had to take the bellhousing off again to reset that. I think I need a fresh start tomorrow, I got off to a bad day today by stripping one of the oil pump screws in the t-case. I guess it's just a matter of getting the right angle.

 

fwiw, you don't need that clip...

 

sounds like the disc isnt aligned correctly in between the pressure plate and the flywheel. Try loosening the pressure plate up and take the input shaft out of the tranny and line it up that way. Thats whats going in anyways. Did it to mine and jacked it up and slid right in within a minute. Even my dual disc went in smooth like that. Didnt even take the bellhousing off.

 

once you have the input shaft almost home, if you hit the clutch, it'll allow the disk to align properly

 

i kept knocking the throw out bearing /fork off its pivot point . i took some fine wire and feed it thru the back bell housing bolts to hold it on . i had to pull the trans back three times until i wired the fork back on the pass side. just make sure clutch operates before you go to far into reassembly.

 

I've always used a clutch alignment tool on the tractors.

 

the disk is aligned good, the alignment tool slides in and out really easy. I'm gonna go give it another try with the help of my neighbor. Hopefully we get it lined up.

 

Man i'm glad thats done. My nieghbor wasn't home yet so I tried by myself again, and realized it wasn't in gear, so I put it in 1st. Then just lined it up as close as I could, and then just held it from the output shaft and rotated that back and forth until I felt it lock. Than with the other hand I checked the gap between the bellhousing and the engine, and adjusted the jack so it was even all around, and gave it acouple shakes and in it went. Got the crossmember and trans mount in, now I just need to put the t-case back in, get the driveshafts modded and it's done.

 

You used a jack, that's cheating.

P

 

Good job Box5. Let me know when you get it running. Pete