Sometimes the pieces of the snap ring lay on top of the valve body. Check there before you pull the rear case.

 

How do I get to the top of the valve body. My guess is I have to remove it. I don't have a manual, so I might have a lot of parts coming out on me. I guess I need to get it and remove it anyway.

 

Here's a thought. What about a blast of air? That should blow anything off the top. I know I wouldn't want to take it apart if I didn't have to.

 

Agreed. When I pulled the OD unit off the 42RE, there was a big piece of the snap ring lying on top of the valve body. Its definitely worth a try rather than taking it apart.

-mike

 

I got the OD unit off and the snap ring is busted. I did not take the valve body off to see, I could not find any ring on top of valve body, but not access. We got the transfer case off without removing the cross member brace. Then I used a jack stand to hold up the transmission (pan reinstalled) and I left the transmission mount pin installed loose. There is a big slot in that mount so I figured that would help catch any big spring release if it occurred. It did not, got all the bolts off and as we pulled the OD off the shaft we had 3 pieces of the ring come out. These make up about 3/4's of the snap ring, so there is more someplace, maybe in the OD unit still. The spring has not sprung, so something is holding it in, but I'm not standing in front of it. I'm looking for a shop to bring it to tomorrow.
anyone know a good shop in Colorado Springs?
thanks everyone for the info which led me to this diagnosis. I was really glad to see those pieces of ring, at least I did not do all this work for nothing.

 

I paid $150 for the OD unit rebuild. Just to give you a general idea on cost.

-mike

 

Just got mine back from shop, $200, but $55 was new friction and steel plates.

I see looking into the shaft hole, that the two splined sections /gears are not lined up. Does that mean I really have to rock and roll this to get it on, or do I need to have the shop repress with them properly aligned.

mgm07771 - what solved the problem for you sliding the OD onto the shaft.

I have not tried it yet, just wondering what to expect.

 

I got the OD unit back on the shaft, had an issue. I couldn't get it to seat all the to the trans. Had about 1 inch left till it was seated. Long story short, I took a rubber mallet and tapped in on until there was 1/4" gap left. After that, I tightened the all thebolts to seat it fully.

One other thing I did was flush the torque converter and trans oil cooler of the old fluid. I did this by disconnecting the top hose to the oil cooler. And attaching a hose to a container to catch the old stuff.Start the jeep let it run while keep putting in New fluid . when the fluid comes out red, it's done.

-mike

 

If you can see the splines in the OD unit are not lined up, it'll never seat to the trans. you'll have to take it back to the trans shop. From what's understand they have to relieve the big spring pressure to align the splines.

 

My splines are a little off, and I'm thinking that with it in park the shaft splines will catch the first sprocket, then possibly I can turn (somehow) the output shaft of the OD unit and get the second sprocket to line up.

All I can do this weekend is try, I can't call the shop til Monday.

 

I tried to get that OD unit installed. Not happening with those splines not being lined up. I'll be calling on Monday.

 

If you check back to post #43 of this thread you'll see I mentioned that already.

 

Yes, I saw that, and I watched the video. Still kicking myself for not verifying the splines when I picked it up.
Thanks for your help.

 

What are friends for? I wasn't trying to be sarcastic. Sorry if it came across that way.

 

short story - I got that SOB OD unit installed to the point that I have a few of the bolts in.

longer story - I brought the OD back to shop, they brought me back and showed me that the splines are aligned, "see the dummy shaft goes right in and it is bottomed out". Not making sense to me, I had the mechanic use his flash light and look inside, he confirmed they are not aligned. They took it apart and compressed and aligned.