I figured that I'd post a summary statement reviewing the sticking points that I encountered, along with a more detailed/dummy-proof step-by-step instruction set, so that if in the future another extreme-novice like me with only a few cheap hand tools and no garage gives this a go, hopefully they can get it done in a more timely manner.
The instructions I followed were from a 2009 SS post by
@acmunro in the thread "
replacing cucv flex plate, any easy ways??". His post is the 3rd one down in the aforementioned thread, and is probably detailed enough for most Steel Soldiers trying to replace their CUCV flexplate to follow. While his instructions were invaluable, they did leave me guessing a few times and failed to mention a few small steps (
steps that are probably painfully obvious to most and don't warrant mentioning for the average SS following these instructions).
As a novice with a cheap and limited supply of hand tools, the biggest time drain was just figuring out what/where everything was that I needed to disconnect/unbolt. A few times I had to reassemble things that I shouldn't have taken apart in the first place (
e.g. pinion seal, repacking Ujoint bearings, etc.)
The next biggest time drain was disconnecting/reconnecting bolts in tight places with larger-than-ideal hand tools. Specifically I had an awful time with the cooler lines... they weren't stripped or twisted
@cucvrus, but the limited space around their insertion points into the transmission made this hellacious with only an old adjustable 6" wrench. I spent at least 30min just disconnecting them. So tip number 1 would be to
have good tools... specifically short handled wrenches that can more easily get into tight places.
Tip number 2 would be to
know what/where everything is that you'll be working on before starting the job. I'm embarrassed to admit that even though I read numerous threads on this job, referred to TMs, and even watched a few YouTube videos before starting...I still was confused as to what was what when I started. It wasn't until after I replaced 4 bolts from the torque converter cover with longer ones that I realized
it wasn't the bell housing! And to continue in idiot-fashion, when I went to disconnect the rear drive shaft from the rear axle, the Ujoint felt stuck...so instead of disconnecting at the Ujoint I unbolted the pinion seal from the differential housing, spilling differential fluid and unseating the pinion gear
(major freak out moment here, as I know the pinion and ring gear have precise alignment that I am still afraid I messed up..... I reinserted carefully but haven't driven yet...waiting to top off differential fluid...@cucvrus or anyone else can you advise?). Then I added at least 5 minutes to pretty much every step along the way making sure that I had correctly identified the component(s) I needed to disconnect (
e.g. shift linkage, speedometer cable, etc). The problem is that a lot of the instructions and conversations on SS are amazing references for folks who know what they are doing, but people like me who needs all of the details spelled out (
including the painfully obvious ones) are left guessing. And worse, I am so ignorant when it comes to some of these things that I don't even know what questions I need to ask (
until I am under the truck, covered in grease, with the clock counting down before I have to get the truck running so I can drive to work). Not b****ing, as I'm incredibly grateful for the guidance I've received on SS, just stating so that yall can better understand what took me so long. Lastly, to tell on myself one more time... like a smart**s I bought 6" bolts instead of 4" bolts (
like @cucvrus instructed), thinking this would give me more space to work with....not realizing that 6" was too long to fit in the second-from-bottom bellhousing bolt holes.... so I ended up only having two 4" bolts keeping everything lined up, which was probably part of the problem when I had trouble sliding it all back together. And oh yeah... I also forgot to unbolt the flexplate from torque converter before sliding assembly back...so when I slid it all back the torque converter stayed seated on the plate, and transmission fluid waterfalled from the tranny all over me and my tools.
