Transmission Removal

[bonnie]

Question. I have 2006 2wd Yukon 5.3 that is in need of a rear main oil seal. I have been told the the trans and exhaust must be removed to do the job. Question is there any other path besides removing the exhaust? I just worry about the exhaust bolts breaking off where it bolts to exhaust header.
Nice design GM

 

[mattbta]

Nope. That’s why I paid a shop to do it. I have zero interest in pulling a trans in my garage without lift. Dropping a T-56 in my 20’s wasn’t fun so imagine a much heavier 4L60e in my 40’s would be even less fun.

 

[mattbta]

Soak em the header studs with penetrating oil every day for a week or two.

 

[strutaeng]

I think just about any exhaust in any other rwd vehicle would require you to remove the exhaust, no? Heat and penetrant oil are going to be your friend.

I did the rear seal last year on my LQ4/4L80e/2wd suburban. I had the bright idea to replace the front pump seal and lock up o ring on the transmission "while I was there." Of course, the local parts store gave me the wrong pump seal, so I had to go hunt another one at a different place. But putting damn heavy torque converter back was the biggest pain. I was working under the truck and had lift it over my head while the transmission was on the transmission jack. My upper body ached a good few days

 

[D -money]

I think just about any exhaust in any other rwd vehicle would require you to remove the exhaust, no? Heat and penetrant oil are going to be your friend.

I did the rear seal last year on my LQ4/4L80e/2wd suburban. I had the bright idea to replace the front pump seal and lock up o ring on the transmission "while I was there." Of course, the local parts store gave me the wrong pump seal, so I had to go hunt another one at a different place. But putting damn heavy torque converter back was the biggest pain. I was working under the truck and had lift it over my head while the transmission was on the transmission jack. My upper body ached a good few days

Ditto, i applied heat cycles with aerokoil for a week and prayed a lot with some sweet talk during the operation to remove without breaking anything.

 

[strutaeng]

Ditto, i applied heat cycles with aerokoil for a week and prayed a lot with some sweet talk during the operation to remove without breaking anything.

Good to hear that!

"I" would have done a lot of cussing in English and Spanish! LOL

Anyways, did you buy that rear main seal centering tool? They have different ones. I bought the Sac City version. I posted their link somewhere that shows how to replace it.

 

[OR VietVet]

Question. I have 2006 2wd Yukon 5.3 that is in need of a rear main oil seal. I have been told the the trans and exhaust must be removed to do the job. Question is there any other path besides removing the exhaust? I just worry about the exhaust bolts breaking off where it bolts to exhaust header.
Nice design GM

How badly rusted are they? Do you live in a "salt on the road" state. Lots of penetrating fluid for many days and heat works well. If you can reach them, use a wire brush or wheel to clean the exposed threads as much as possible before removal. When you do attempt to break free, do so and back out just a little, then retighten and spray more fluid and then loosen just a little past the first attempt and then retighten and repeat a little at a time. If moves freely at any time, spray fluid and take out. Tap threads and holes before reassembly.. If you are on your back, get a transmission jack somewhere. If you are keeping, get the transmission gone thru if can afford.

 

[D -money]

Good to hear that!

"I" would have done a lot of cussing in English and Spanish! LOL

Anyways, did you buy that rear main seal centering tool? They have different ones. I bought the Sac City version. I posted their link somewhere that shows how to replace it.

No ,im a frugal cheap ass who mcguyvers whenever possible.

 

[bonnie]

Thanks for all the reply's, in most cases I really like doing the work my self but after reading your posts I think its to much for me, especially if things go wrong then I really have a mess. That's a lot of physical work to do on your back in the cold. When the money is there I`m shop bound. Local Chevy dealer says $800 so I`m in!

 

[89Suburban]

I think just about any exhaust in any other rwd vehicle would require you to remove the exhaust, no? Heat and penetrant oil are going to be your friend.

I did the rear seal last year on my LQ4/4L80e/2wd suburban. I had the bright idea to replace the front pump seal and lock up o ring on the transmission "while I was there." Of course, the local parts store gave me the wrong pump seal, so I had to go hunt another one at a different place. But putting damn heavy torque converter back was the biggest pain. I was working under the truck and had lift it over my head while the transmission was on the transmission jack. My upper body ached a good few days

I used to bench press NP203's into place when I was in my 20's. Now my sorry old ass can barely handle climbing underneath to do an oil change.