So Now The Trans Cross Member Won't Line Up

keybrdcowboy1

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Jan 24, 2015

#1

• Jan 24, 2015

• #1

Finally making progress on getting this thing put back together and have hit yet another snag.... the transmission mount and cross member won't line up and bolt in.

I have put new poly motor mounts in, got a poly transmission mount, and also poly bushings in the ends of the cross member. I have the transmission pushed up as high as I can get in the tunnel but it's just not lining up.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to get everything lined up? The only thing I can think of that I haven't tried yet is loosening the motor mounts and then trying again.... any help would be appreciated. Thanks...

And in case it matters, the transmission and bell housing were both reinstalled at this time also....

 

Last edited: Jan 24, 2015

Chuckman

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Jan 24, 2015

#2

• Jan 24, 2015

• #2

which mounts are you using? is the crossmember oriented the right way (big hump on passenger side)?

 

keybrdcowboy1

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Jan 24, 2015

#3

• Jan 24, 2015

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Everything is stock except for the bushings...I just saw some other posts elsewhere on the interwebz that said the cross member goes a certain way so I'll have to check on that tomorrow. I'm done for tonight...wrestling the transmission in by myself wore me out....

 

elarm1

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Jan 24, 2015

#4

• Jan 24, 2015

• #4

Yes it definitely goes on one way which could explain why it won't line up

 

Chuckman

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Jan 25, 2015

#5

• Jan 25, 2015

• #5

So first you said you put new poly mounts in, then you said it was all stock, so which is it?

Btw, i have had problems with cheap parts store brand rubber trans mounts being too tall, may be part of you're problem.

 

keybrdcowboy1

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Jan 25, 2015

#6

• Jan 25, 2015

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The transmission mount is prothane....the bushings in the end of the cross member are prothane, and the motor mounts are a poly mount that LRS sells. The cross member itself is stock...

 

keybrdcowboy1

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Jan 25, 2015

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• Jan 25, 2015

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ok....this thing just won't go in. I did have it in there the wrong way, so I flipped it the correct way and everything seemed to line up. Started putting it all together and I could NOT get the last hole on the cross member to line up with the frame. I took it all back apart, jacked the transmission up and out of the way (that eliminates the trans mount and engine mount from being the issue) and just have the cross member trying to line up. And it WON'T.

I have been out there for hours with a hammer and a jack and pry bars etc.... and it just won't go. Here are some pictures of where everything is at at the moment..... does anyone have any tips or tricks on how to get this crap to align? Would buying a aftermarket cross member fit any better?

 

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mikestang63

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Jan 25, 2015

#8

• Jan 25, 2015

• #8

looks like the trans bushing is too thick? I would remove it, out the crossmember back in with the bolts and then see if you can slide the trans mount bushing back in, If not, mark how much needs to be trimmed and then cut that out and then slide it in and bolt it up.

 

keybrdcowboy1

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Jan 25, 2015

#9

• Jan 25, 2015

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Well, right now I have the trans pushed up with a jack so that the trans mount isn't even touching the cross member. Figured I would do that to eliminate the trans mount from effecting anything...even with that the cross member just won't fit...

 

Chuckman

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Jan 25, 2015

#10

• Jan 25, 2015

• #10

Ive had it before where ive had to spread the tabs on the chassis (just used a 2lb sledge) and then still have to hammer the bolts thru. That was with a brand new frpp crossmember, the old rubber gets so rotted that when you tighten the bolts it draws the tabs together.

 

keybrdcowboy1

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Jan 25, 2015

#11

• Jan 25, 2015

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Alright, finally got it in.... after resting for a bit and eating some apple pie, I went back out there with a purpose. Basically that means I grabbed the hammer and banged hard while moving the pry bar around. Eventually they all seated WITHOUT breaking the threads on the bolts. I have had to replace a few different bolts/nuts because I banged on them already on this project and I didn't want to do it again, but desperate times call for desperate measures. So anyways, everything is in there and torqued to the proper specs.... I appreciate everyone's help.