Transmission Holding Fixture Question?

[1-ton]

I am about 6-bolts away from removing a 4L80E transmission out of my 1991 V3500 crew cab so I can rebuild it. I bought one of these transmission holding fixtures to hold my transmission while I take it apart and put it back together. My question is how to properly secure the trans with the three anchoring points on the fixture. The two screw in studs are obvious, but the third anchoring point at the base is the one I question. It appears that the anchoring point at the base of the fixture is supposed to be inserted into the cooler line port, but that has threads in it that are aluminum, and will be torn to shreds if I use that as an anchoring point. Anybody have any experience with these on how to safely mount a transmission to one of these?

 

[onetonbb74]

There are 2 dowels on the sides of the trannsmission that you put this clamp in, the top screw just sits on the case. The mount needs 4 bolts to the work bench.

 

[nvrenuf]

Check the mounting bracket good. I just watched a YouTube show where the guy used that exact same fixture, the welds holding the receiver tube to the mounting plate were awful. The guy ground it all down and rewelded it.

 

[1-ton]

There are 2 dowels on the sides of the trannsmission that you put this clamp in, the top screw just sits on the case. The mount needs 4 bolts to the work bench.

Ok. I see the dowels on the left side of the trans. I have to take a closer look on the right side of the trans to see those. Once my trans is out of the truck I will be able to get a better look for the ones on the right side. I have the trans fixture base mounted to a heavy duty steal bench. Thanks for the quick reply.

 

[1-ton]

Check the mounting bracket good. I just watched a YouTube show where the guy used that exact same fixture, the welds holding the receiver tube to the mounting plate were awful. The guy ground it all down and rewelded it.

Oh sh!t! I did do one test to make sure the trans fixture could hold some weight. I held myself from the stand and it held. I weigh about somewhere between 190 and 195 on any given day. My 4L80E probably weighs closer to 300 pounds with all the clutches and pump in it. It will get lighter as I remove all the clutches and planataries out of it.

 

[76zimmer]

Don't overtighten the top screw, the case (at least on a 400) can crack with too much pressure. Just snug is good.

 

[1-ton]

Don't overtighten the top screw, the case (at least on a 400) can crack with too much pressure. Just snug is good.

I think I am going to make a steel plate U shaped like bracket to spread the force out over a slightly wider area, and like you said just make it snug not torqued down.

 

[76zimmer]

Mine has a small rectangular foot on it for that same reason!