The right jack can make the difference between an easy job and a weekend of stripped threads and colorful language.Įven though the transmission jack’s job is relatively straightforward, there are several factors to consider before adding one to your shopping cart. Transmissions must be cradled securely and lifted smoothly to ensure you don’t damage anything during the installation. (Then, try to imagine keeping a torque converter in place while you locate the dowel pins and thread-up the bellhousing bolts.)īut it’s not just about safety.
A GM TH350 automatic, for example, may weigh less than 150 pounds, but that can become quite a burden when you’re lying on concrete with a bulky transmission housing sitting on your palms. Now, while a lot of gearheads have made-do with improvised solutions for hoisting/moving a transmission, the fact is, a good transmission jack isn’t that expensive-and the consequences for a failed homebrew setup can be disastrous for both you and your transmission.Īnd don’t even think about wrestling a transmission into place using nothing but your own arm strength. A transmission jack is a must-have tool if you’re removing or installing a transmission.
