toomanyedwards

Hi all,
I'm about to replace the transfer case on my '99 Automatic SR5. The service manual and Haynes say to support the rear of the transmission and then removed the cross member under the transmission before removing the transfer case. The transfer case itself is to the rear of the cross member and appears to be completely past the cross member. That is, it looks like it wouldn't require removing the transmission support cross member at all. I'd much rather leave the cross member in place seems safer if it's not required to be removed. Does the cross remember actually need be removed to remove the transfer case? If so, why? Thanks in advance!

-edward

toomanyedwards

After attempting to remove the transfer case *without* removing the cross member I can now answer my own question. The transmission mount on the cross member interferes with *one* of the bottom transfer case bolts. Bummer to have to remove the cross member just for this one bolt, but that does appear to be the case. Also, the top two transfer case bolts are a major PITA to get off. Looks like pretty much no way to get a torque wrench in there to torque them to spec when installing the new transfer case, but we'll see....


-e