amish_electrician
Member
Long story short... I have a 2004 Expedition 4WD with the 5.4L. Broke the direct clutch drum in the transmission, so it had to come out. Before this one, I'd never removed a transmission. I read a ton of forum/blog posts and watched some youtube videos... and overall, I'd say I did fairly well.
My question relates to the engine and more specifically, the engine rocking back after the transmission was removed. At first, I mistakenly thought that the y-pipe in the exhaust had to be removed in order to get the transmission out. I knew the engine rocking was a possibility, so I wedged a piece of lumber between the bottom of the oil pan and the cross member. Then I separated the exhaust just before the muffler and the entire assembly dropped down about 2-3". I checked the engine itself and it had obviously rocked back some... I'm just not sure it's the full 2-3" that the exhaust moved. So my question is this...
What (if anything) have I likely broken/damaged by allowing the engine to rock back? Up top, the throttle body and hoses and whatnot definitely got closer to the firewall, but I don't see anything broken and I didn't hear anything crunch. My primary concern is fuel lines and brake lines as these are mounted at fixed locations along the frame. If the engine moves and the lines don't, will they bend or are they more likely to just break?
Obviously, when I get around to reinstalling the transmission, I'll do a visual check on all of the components. I'm just looking for pointers from those with more experience about what items I should really focus on checking. If I ever have to remove this transmission again, I know not to disconnect the exhaust. Life lesson learned!
My question relates to the engine and more specifically, the engine rocking back after the transmission was removed. At first, I mistakenly thought that the y-pipe in the exhaust had to be removed in order to get the transmission out. I knew the engine rocking was a possibility, so I wedged a piece of lumber between the bottom of the oil pan and the cross member. Then I separated the exhaust just before the muffler and the entire assembly dropped down about 2-3". I checked the engine itself and it had obviously rocked back some... I'm just not sure it's the full 2-3" that the exhaust moved. So my question is this...
What (if anything) have I likely broken/damaged by allowing the engine to rock back? Up top, the throttle body and hoses and whatnot definitely got closer to the firewall, but I don't see anything broken and I didn't hear anything crunch. My primary concern is fuel lines and brake lines as these are mounted at fixed locations along the frame. If the engine moves and the lines don't, will they bend or are they more likely to just break?
Obviously, when I get around to reinstalling the transmission, I'll do a visual check on all of the components. I'm just looking for pointers from those with more experience about what items I should really focus on checking. If I ever have to remove this transmission again, I know not to disconnect the exhaust. Life lesson learned!