Transmission install issue

1987 TOYOTA PICKUP
155,655 MILES • 2.4L • 4 CYL • 4WD • MANUAL
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SFCTRIPLETT57
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I have the transmission in and I have two bolts started on the driver’s side but having trouble, getting bolts started and lined up on the passenger side. I still have the transmission jack under the transmission and no matter what I do I can’t get it lined up. The backing plate is not helping any.

Thanks,


Larry Triplett
Iraq War Vet
Sep 4, 2021 at 2:06 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

Are you able to place something like a long screwdriver through one of the bolt holes and manipulate the bell housing into position to get another bolt started? If you have two started on the driver's side, it should already be aligned. If there was only one, then I could understand why it isn't. By any chance, could you have started them in the wrong holes? Also, if you remove one on the driver's side, are you then able to start the passenger's side?

One other thought. Are you installing this with the transfer case installed? If so, you may want to unbolt and remove the transfer case to help.

If possible, take a couple of pics of what is happening and upload them for me to see. If the bolt holes are close, you should be able to use a screwdriver or something similar to align it.

I do have one other question. Are you sure everything with the clutch disc/pilot bearing is aligned and not preventing the transmission from pulling in close enough? You need to make sure they are. An alignment tool has splines that match the splines on the clutch disc and a pilot that fits into the pilot bearing. They need to be aligned before they will go together.

Here is a link that shows in general what I am referring to:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-clutch

Let me know.

Joe
Sep 4, 2021 at 10:15 PM
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SFCTRIPLETT57
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I’m going to pull the transmission back out and make sure the backing plate is lined up with the holes on the engine bellhousing. What is the backing plate for any way, can you install the transfer with the transmission bolted to the engine.
Sep 6, 2021 at 5:46 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

You should be able to install the transfer case with the transmission in. Just don't install the cross member until it's done. Otherwise, you will struggle to access the bolts.

You know, the backing plate makes sense. If you have two bolts started, then the others should align. However, if you missed the backing plate with one of the two bolts, it will be off.

Let me know how things turn out for you.

Joe
Sep 6, 2021 at 6:58 PM
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SFCTRIPLETT57
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Transmission is in and bolted up, the backing plate was the problem. I had to pull the transmission back and realigned the backing plate.

Thanks for your help.
Sep 7, 2021 at 3:35 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

I'm glad to hear you got it in. It sounds like you have the same kind of luck as I do. Anything to make things a little more difficult. LOL

Regardless, please feel free to come back anytime in the future if you have questions. You are always welcome here.

Take care,

Joe
Sep 7, 2021 at 6:34 PM
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SFCTRIPLETT57
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Thanks for your help sir.
Sep 8, 2021 at 4:05 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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You are very welcome. I hope to hear from you again in the future if you need anything.

Take care of yourself,

Joe
Sep 8, 2021 at 7:40 PM