700r4 - can't drop pan?

[guyryan100]

The pan bolts on the tailshaft end of my 700r4 are inaccessible because of the auto crossmember - I can see the bolts but there's no way to wrench them. Should I jack up the tranny from the tailshaft end? Would that put too much strain on the tailshaft? There's no driveshaft in yet...

[Longhorn Man]

While I don't like doing it, I have jacked up quite a few like you describe.
Have you tried a 1/4 inch set with a universal? I find that helps in some aplications.

[mooneyes]

...i jacked mine up on the pan..unbolted the crossmember and slid it back then let the jack down so the tailshaft rests on the crossmember

[incoma]

I recommend working the tranny like mooneyes4b says. You can also use a 2x4 to "space" between the tailshaft and the cross member while you unbolt the pan.

[Longhorn Man]

whats the difference between a crossmember holding it and a jack holding it?
It'll only be up for a few seconds while you unbolt the 3 or 4 pan bolts, then you let it down...and jack it up again to re-install the bolts. Smae amount of time jacked up either way, and doing it with a jack saves 30 min at a minimum on removing the crossmember.

[Tx Firefighter]

Tx Firefighter method. Put a small 2x4 block of wood between the tailhousing and crossmember.

The wood block will hold the back of the trans up.

[incoma]

Thanks Tx Firefighter. I didn't explain what I meant very well. Too much vodka.

[Smitty]

When I did mine using an original auto crossmember, I trimmed the front lip off the crossmember so that I could access the bolts without going through all the headaches that are being discussed here! Did add an 1/8 inch plate to the inside of the U channel for added strength not that it should really need it.