I keep knocking the shift fork off the ball. I had installed the bellhousing, then the tranny and hooked everything up and went for a test drive....the clutch slips.... the fork is binding. so I figured I must have knocked it off the pivot ball. So...out it came....Goodness sakes! I was soooo disappointed. Now , being mindful of the shift fork, I am struggling,trying to keep it from coming off the pivot ball upon re-installation. I am thinking it may be easier to install the bellhousing AND tranny together as a unit. Im heading out to the shop in a little bit so input is needed....BAD!
I am working on a 1997 Cummins 2500 2wd with a 5 speed.
I recently had the trans overhauled and can't wait to row through the gears with all new internals.
Your input is needed.
Thanks DTR!!!!!!!!! THe BEST DODGE TRUCK RESOURCE IN THE WORLD!

 

You do have the clip on that holds it to the ball right? Maybe try with the actuator bolted in place to hold arm in position.

 

clip is good and in place

 

I would pull the bell housing and install it as a complete unit. thats how I have always done it and have never had 1 issue stabbing a man trans.

 

You can also try some mechanic wire to hold the arm until trans is in place. Just need to make sure trans is centered in bearing before pushing into the bell housing. Go slow and keep checking that it is not hanging up on the bearing. That why wiring it to the bell housing will help keep the arm centered in position and not come off the ball as easy.

 

I tried using stainless steel wire and wired it in place on the actuator end....the other end is inacessable . I will put it all together as a unit as the post just ahead of yhou. Thanks guys!
I'll let you know as soon as I get it in!

 

The fork looks like both ends are the same, but they're not. There is a specific end that has to be on the ball pivot end, and they're not interchangeable. I don't remember which end is which, but I always look for the witness marks from the clip, to make sure it goes back in the same way it came out. (It has to do with the spot that the release bearing rides on being offset to one side or the other.)

Also, in the shop, we had taken an old slave cylinder and used it for a fixture to bolt on to the bell housing to hold the slave end of the fork in place during transmission installation. It worked great.

 

I noticed that too and did in fact, use the witness marks as well ....
Putting the bellhousing onto the tranny and then install it as a unit worked like a hot knife going into butter!
I threaded a couple of long bolts into the engine block and they worked like greased rails! they guided it (the tranny) right in!
Thanks guys!

 

Glad to hear that worked for you. I've always wondered how it would work, putting the bellhousing on the transmission first, but never tried it, worrying about clearance and bolt accessibility. Now I know, thanks.

 

Well..I have done it both ways now and can say this... It is MUCH easier to install the tranny and bellhousing together as a unit! No bumping the fork off the ball pivot. After having to tear it all apart and doing it all over again, I will NEVER EVER do it any other way!!!!!!!!!