Misc. transmission skid plate questions
Larry4123
Jeeper
Hello,
I have a '79 CJ5 I recently purchased. I've been slowly cleaning her up to get her on the road. I've changed engine oil, flushed and changed radiator fluid (with new thermostat and water pump) and drained/flushed/filled differentials. My next task was to drain/refill the transmission and transfer case and put a new exhaust on. To this I plan to drop the transmission skid plate. There is a lot of mud caked in there and my CJ5 has a catalytic converter I was planning to replace while I've got it apart.
The skid plate has 3 bolts holding it to each side of the frame rails. There are 2 bolts in the center that appear to go into a transmission mount in the middle of the skid plate and bolt several inches off center (to the driver's side) that go to up through the plate and has 2 rubber bushings. This bolt is currently missing a nut so it just hang there, loose.
Several questions:
What is this bolt that is off center (currently with no nut, see pictures)?
To drop the skid plate. I should have a jack support the weight of the transmission/transfer case when I remove the skid plate? As the transfer case is entirely behind the skid plate, is one jack on the transmission enough to support it?
Bigger problem. The 6 bolts (3 on either side) that hold the skid plate to the frame. The first one I tried to loosen, groaned and then started to spin freely. I'm assuming the bolt that was welded to the inside of the frame broke loose and the bolt/nut is spinning. I assume I have to cut the bolt to remove the skid plate with the other 5 bolts removed. Is there a way to repair this without cutting an access hole in the side of the frame and welding a new bolt in? (This is something I can not do!)
Any suggestions to reduce the risk of breaking another nut free from the frame when I try to remove the bolts?
Pictures of center of skid plate with one bolt without the nut and a picture above skid plate.
Picture top side of skid plate with mud packed in
Picture of bolts attaching skid plate to frame, 2 of 3 blots in picture. Front/passenger side is bolt that spins freely.
Any help appreciated.
Thanks,
Larry4123
?
I have a '79 CJ5 I recently purchased. I've been slowly cleaning her up to get her on the road. I've changed engine oil, flushed and changed radiator fluid (with new thermostat and water pump) and drained/flushed/filled differentials. My next task was to drain/refill the transmission and transfer case and put a new exhaust on. To this I plan to drop the transmission skid plate. There is a lot of mud caked in there and my CJ5 has a catalytic converter I was planning to replace while I've got it apart.
The skid plate has 3 bolts holding it to each side of the frame rails. There are 2 bolts in the center that appear to go into a transmission mount in the middle of the skid plate and bolt several inches off center (to the driver's side) that go to up through the plate and has 2 rubber bushings. This bolt is currently missing a nut so it just hang there, loose.
Several questions:
What is this bolt that is off center (currently with no nut, see pictures)?
To drop the skid plate. I should have a jack support the weight of the transmission/transfer case when I remove the skid plate? As the transfer case is entirely behind the skid plate, is one jack on the transmission enough to support it?
Bigger problem. The 6 bolts (3 on either side) that hold the skid plate to the frame. The first one I tried to loosen, groaned and then started to spin freely. I'm assuming the bolt that was welded to the inside of the frame broke loose and the bolt/nut is spinning. I assume I have to cut the bolt to remove the skid plate with the other 5 bolts removed. Is there a way to repair this without cutting an access hole in the side of the frame and welding a new bolt in? (This is something I can not do!)
Any suggestions to reduce the risk of breaking another nut free from the frame when I try to remove the bolts?
Pictures of center of skid plate with one bolt without the nut and a picture above skid plate.
Picture top side of skid plate with mud packed in
Picture of bolts attaching skid plate to frame, 2 of 3 blots in picture. Front/passenger side is bolt that spins freely.
Any help appreciated.
Thanks,
Larry4123
?