Transmission Alignment Help

[outlaw460]

I’m currently replacing the 5r55s transmission in my 2007 V6 and I didn’t have any issues getting the old one out but when I jack the new transmission into place I can’t seem to get the torque converter studs to line up and seat into the flex plate. I can get close enough to touch the flex plate and visibly see the studs through flex plate holes via the starter hole but I can’t get the studs seated into the holes and get the last couple inches for the bell housing to flush up.
The car is currently is not completely level, it’s on ramps in the back and jack stands on the front so the front sits noticeably higher. 1st off is it necessary to get the car level, 2nd off would it be any help to put another jack under the engine, and lastly there has got to be a better way to line up flex plate holes and torque converter studs than spinning the converter by hand. Any help or feedback is greatly appreciated!!

 

[outlaw460]

Note: I forgot to mention in the post I have triple checked that the torque converter is fully seated into the bell-housing.

 

[Kev555]

I'm sure you've checked all around the bell housing but by any chance has a loom dropped in between the bell housing at the top? It can easily happen on the GT. Has the replacement transmission got the same bell housing as the old one?

 

[outlaw460]

Same exact transmission and it’s the base 4.0 model. Im gonna try putting it on jack stands in the back too to try to level out the car and support the engine aswell and try again. I will post an update.

 

[Zal3v]

Same exact transmission and it’s the base 4.0 model. Im gonna try putting it on jack stands in the back too to try to level out the car and support the engine aswell and try again. I will post an update.

That may definitely help or you could use some wheel cribs in the back as well.
Hope you get it sorted out and please keep us updated.

 

[whitmanink]

on my wifes outback i had the same issue ,,
i ended up putting it up in place by hand (meathead) and "clocking" the trans to mate with the engine ..
i had a trans jack but it wasnt perfectly level so i couldnt for the life of me get it to seat..
until i man handled it lol

 

[whitmanink]

i also used a pick to pull the flexplate into the bolt holes so they aligned

 

[ryunker]

I’m currently replacing the 5r55s transmission in my 2007 V6 and I didn’t have any issues getting the old one out but when I jack the new transmission into place I can’t seem to get the torque converter studs to line up and seat into the flex plate. I can get close enough to touch the flex plate and visibly see the studs through flex plate holes via the starter hole but I can’t get the studs seated into the holes and get the last couple inches for the bell housing to flush up.
The car is currently is not completely level, it’s on ramps in the back and jack stands on the front so the front sits noticeably higher. 1st off is it necessary to get the car level, 2nd off would it be any help to put another jack under the engine, and lastly there has got to be a better way to line up flex plate holes and torque converter studs than spinning the converter by hand. Any help or feedback is greatly appreciated!!

The post above, look all around the bell housing, ensure it is clear. Wire looms and whatever brackets on top cause this a ton. Next ensure even gap all around the bell housing as it has to be square. next, nope to spin the converter by hand is the answer. Worked in trans shops over a decade doing this, it is way easier on a lift, and correct trans jack, but can be done the way you are doing it. next, if the gap between the bell and engine is not even all the way around, at times the front of the engine needs a little lift to get it even. post some photos of the gap, top, sides and bottom. the issue will be very apparent. Whatever you do not try to "bring it together with bolts" as this will 100% of the time break off the bell housing.

 

[outlaw460]

Got the car level and tried to manhandle it for a couple hours to no avail. Here’s some photos of what im working with. Not being square is feeling like the most likely culprit.

 

[whitmanink]

now i have to ask because this happend to me ,,

when i went to put it in the first time, the torq converted came out just enough to not let the trans seat,,
only after fighting for hours did i pull it out and see the torq converter wasnt seated all the way back?>

 

[outlaw460]

now i have to ask because this happend to me ,,

when i went to put it in the first time, the torq converted came out just enough to not let the trans seat,,
only after fighting for hours did i pull it out and see the torq converter wasnt seated all the way back?>

I’m aware it won’t flush up right if the torque converter isn’t seated properly, so I try to keep a check on it. I’m fairly confident the converter is fully seated into the bell housing. I was also talking to someone who had done a couple 5r55s transmission in his lifetime and he said the studs on the torque converter will only align with the holes on the flywheel one way, and that you might have to spin the converter 3 different times to get the right way. I’m not sure how true that is though.

 

[ryunker]

Got the car level and tried to manhandle it for a couple hours to no avail. Here’s some photos of what im working with. Not being square is feeling like the most likely culprit.

View attachment 116398

View attachment 116399

View attachment 116400

Get on top, what is there when you look? Only looking below is a problem

 

[outlaw460]

There isn’t enough space to fit my head in there and inspect the top lol.