Upper bell housing bolt

Hey guys,

I have a 2018 Off-road MT, I just replaced the clutch and I’m struggling with getting the transmission back mated to the engine. I was able to get 5 of the bell housing bolts threaded through, 4 of them are the 14mm bolts and one of them is the passenger side 17mm bolt. However, the 3 17mm bolts near the starter will not thread through. I’ve dropped the transmission and readjusted a million different ways to no luck. Wouldn’t the fact that 5 of the bolts are in align the other 3 regardless?

 

If its not flush with the dowel pins lined up the 17mm will never go in.

You need to look carefully through the sides and see if the trans is flush with the engine. Just because the bottom is clocked right doesnt mean flush.

 

^^This^^. Probably the input shaft splines are binding. Gotta wiggle the hell out of it. Not good to try and pull it in with the bolts.

 

so you’re saying the top could be pulled further away while the bottom is touching?

 

Bishop84 is spot on correct. Do not attempt to close the gap with the bolts.

 

There are two different bolt lengths. I'm betting that might be the issue?

 

The two different bolt lengths are only between the 17mm bolts and the 14mm bolts :/

 

Its probably tilted slightly . So the bottom bolts and the lower side bolts will go in. But not the top. It has to be parallel with the block and slid in. So the pins and the splines line up. Videos will show guys rocking back and forth or up and down slightly until they mesh together. When this is achieved you should be able to run them in with your fingers.

 

Bishop has knowledge

 

No. There are two different lengths of the 14mm bolts.

 

Is it slight? I have them stood next to eachother and can’t see the difference

 

Check all of them. It is enough length difference for the shorter ones to not thread into the deeper holes.

 

I’ve noticed that putting a very small amount of grease on the dowel pins helps when sliding things together. Also you’ll want to make sure that the plane of the bell housing matches the angle of the engine. You might need to have someone adjusting the engine angle while you stab the transmission. Good luck!

 

Try to jack up the rear of the trans/transfer case 1/16". Then wiggle it while pushing forward. Gotta be careful you don't damage the pilot bearing. It'll go.

 

Here are two photos. One are the bolts I am working with, all the 14mm are same length and all the 17mm are same length.
the other picture shows the holes I’m struggling with

I took the transmission back off and tried threading bolts into each hole. The only two holes which would not thread are the two that go into the starter. I have no idea what to do

 

Those sure look to be M10 and M12 bolts.

I was confused by 14mm and 17mm bolts.

 

Just a wild guess here as I’m not fully sure what I’m looking at.

How about a spud wrench? If there is room for you to use a spud wrench with one hand and see if you can adjust to help start the other side.

 

After removing the entire transmission and just trying to thread bolts into the holes on the engine block, I think I had everything lined up. Because the two bolts going into the starter holes, wont thread even without the transmission there.

 

Probably already mentioned, but run a thread tap through those (once you ensure you have correct thread and pitch) and get rid of any burrs you may have. Go easy.

 

He done forgot more than we will ever know...