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Jeep Automatic Transmission 42RLE gearbox repair manual download

Concise manual for repairing the transmission “suspension” (mount/crossmember and related parts that hold up the 42RLE gearbox) on a Jeep — written for a beginner mechanic. No extra chatter.

1) Big-picture theory — why this repair is needed
- The transmission is a heavy, torque-producing unit that must be rigidly supported to keep driveline angles correct and to isolate vibration from the chassis. The transmission mount(s) and crossmember do that job.
- A mount is typically metal bonded to rubber. The rubber absorbs vibration and allows tiny movement. Over time the rubber tears, compresses, or is contaminated by oil/heat and fails. When the mount fails the transmission can sag, shift position, increase driveline angle, cause clunks under acceleration/braking, and transmit vibration into the cabin.
- Analogy: the mount is like a pillow holding a heavy lamp over a table. If the pillow flattens or rips, the lamp tilts, bangs the table, and the cord (driveshaft/shift linkage) gets stressed.
- If you don’t fix a bad mount, you risk broken studs/bolts, damaged driveshaft u-joints or CVs, torn wiring/cooler lines, poor shifting, or accelerated wear elsewhere.

2) System overview — how it works (components and what each does)
- Transmission housing (42RLE tail housing and case): the gearbox body. Bolts to engine bellhousing and contains internal gears/parking pawl/torque converter connection.
- Crossmember (transmission crossmember): a steel bracket bolted to the vehicle frame/subframe. It physically supports the transmission mount and transfers load to the frame.
- Transmission mount (isolation mount): rubber/metal assembly that bolts between transmission case (or crossmember bracket) and the crossmember. Dampens vibration and allows controlled movement.
- Mount bolts/studs/washers: fasteners that hold mount to transmission and crossmember to frame. Often there are through-bolts with nuts and sometimes pressed studs into the transmission.
- Driveshaft/Slip yoke or output shaft: connects transmission output to differential or transfer case — alignment depends on mount position.
- Shift linkage/cable and sensors wiring: attached to the transmission and must have slack when you move the transmission for mount removal.
- Transmission cooler lines: carry fluid to an external cooler; often routed near the crossmember. Must be clear of mounts and not strained.
- Exhaust, heat shields, skid plates: often in the way and must be moved to access mount/crossmember.
- Fasteners to frame/subframe: crossmember bolts and flange nuts that secure the assembly to the vehicle frame.

3) Common failure modes / what can go wrong
- Rubber degradation: causes sagging and vibration.
- Bolt/stud fatigue or corrosion: causes looseness or drops.
- Crossmember bending or cracking from impact or corrosion.
- Oil/ATF contamination accelerating rubber failure.
- Improper reinstallation: wrong torque, missed alignment causing driveline vibration.
- Damage to cooler lines, wiring, linkage during disassembly.
- Dropping the transmission if insufficient support — catastrophic and dangerous.

4) Symptoms indicating mount/crossmember repair needed
- Excessive vibration at idle or while accelerating.
- Loud clunking when shifting into gear, accelerating or decelerating.
- Visible sagging or misalignment of the transmission.
- Ripped or distorted rubber mount upon inspection.
- Driveshaft vibration, binding, or unusual angles.
- Unusual noises from under the vehicle near transmission.

5) Tools & supplies (minimum)
- Wheel chocks, safety glasses, gloves.
- Proper jack (transmission jack preferred) and several jack stands or a lift. Heavy-block wood pad for jack tops.
- Floor jack to support transmission/trans jack.
- Socket set (metric and SAE), deep sockets, extensions.
- Breaker bar, ratchet, torque wrench (calibrated).
- Wrenches, pry bar, hammer, rubber mallet.
- Penetrating oil (PB Blaster, etc.), wire brush.
- Replacement transmission mount (correct OEM or quality aftermarket), new bolts/nuts if corroded.
- Replacement crossmember if corroded/cracked.
- Shop manual or factory torque specs (recommended).
- Rags and drip pan for any fluid that may leak.
- Service light or work lamp.

6) Step-by-step procedure (typical; adapt to vehicle specifics; follow factory manual for your model/year)
Safety note: work on a stable, level surface. Never rely on a jack alone. Disconnect negative battery terminal if you’ll be removing electrical connectors or working near starter.

A. Prep and inspection
- Park on level ground, set parking brake, chock wheels.
- Raise vehicle securely on jack stands (use jacking points). Confirm it’s stable.
- Visually inspect mount, crossmember, bolts, and adjacent components for damage.
- Remove skid plate, heat shields, or exhaust items obstructing access. Be ready to support moved parts.

B. Support the transmission
- Place a floor jack with a block of wood under the transmission pan or tail housing to support weight. Use a transmission jack if available.
- Only support the transmission enough to take the weight; do not push it forward/backward with the jack unless directed by steps below.

C. Relieve connected components
- Loosen/remove any parts that would prevent lowering the mount: driveshaft/prop shaft (either disconnect at yoke or unbolt flange — mark orientation for reassembly), shift linkage bracket if it limits movement, any wiring harness brackets, and cooler lines clips that attach to crossmember. Do not disconnect engine/transmission ground wires unless noted.
- Note: some vehicles allow mount replacement without removing driveshaft; others require slight lowering. Keep components supported and labeled.

D. Remove crossmember and mount
- Apply penetrating oil to bolts and let soak.
- Support the crossmember with jack if needed.
- Remove crossmember-to-frame bolts (usually large grade bolts). Keep track of washers/plates.
- Remove mount-to-transmission bolts or nuts. There may be studs; inspect for sheared studs.
- With mount free, lower crossmember and mount assembly carefully on the jack. If only replacing mount, unbolt mount from crossmember and swap new mount in place.

E. Install new mount/crossmember
- Compare old and new mount to ensure correct orientation.
- If reusing crossmember, clean bolt holes, remove rust and apply anti-seize to bolts threads as appropriate.
- Raise crossmember/mount into position, start bolts by hand to ensure threads align.
- Torque mount-to-transmission bolts and crossmember-to-frame bolts to factory specification. If you don’t have factory specs, torque carefully: mount bolts often 40–90 ft-lbs; crossmember bolts can be higher. Verify exact numbers in factory manual.
- Reattach any brackets, wiring clips, cooler lines, linkage previously removed. Ensure no wires/hoses are pinched or contacting hot/moving parts.

F. Reconnect driveshaft and other components
- Reinstall driveshaft aligning marks made earlier. Tighten bolts to spec.
- Reinstall skid plate, heat shield, exhaust parts removed.
- Lower jack slightly to seat mount, then torque all bolts again to spec with weight on mounts (some mount bolts are torqued with vehicle weight on wheels — check manual).

G. Final checks
- Lower vehicle from stands carefully.
- Reconnect battery negative if disconnected.
- Start engine, observe idle and transmission for vibration/noise.
- With parking brake on, shift through gears to test for clunks or binding.
- Test drive at low speed to check for vibration, noise, and proper shifting.
- After a short drive, recheck torque on mount bolts and check for leaks.

7) Inspection notes and what to watch for during/after repair
- If you see excessive movement of the transmission with new mount, check for incorrect mount or missing spacer.
- If vibration persists, check driveline U-joints, transfer case/differential alignment, engine mounts (often engine mounts fail similarly), and wheel/tire balance.
- If a bolt breaks or stud shears, remove carefully with extractor or replace stud; do not leave a damaged fastener.
- If cooler lines leak after reassembly, clamp them, replace fittings, or reconnect properly.

8) Troubleshooting common issues after mount replacement
- Continued clunking: check all brackets and linkages, and ensure mount is the correct part and oriented correctly.
- New vibration: verify driveshaft alignment (angle), carrier bearing (if applicable), and engine mounts.
- Fluid leak observed: check cooler lines, pan bolts, and sensor fittings disturbed during removal.

9) Safety warnings (do not skip)
- Never crawl under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Use jack stands or a lift.
- Supporting the transmission incorrectly can let it drop and cause severe injury or damage.
- Transmission fluid and hot parts can burn; allow cooling time.
- Use proper torque values; over- or under-torquing fasteners can cause failure.

10) Final recommendations
- Use OEM or high-quality aftermarket mounts. Cheap mounts fail sooner.
- Replace corroded bolts and hardware. Use anti-seize or thread locker as specified.
- Keep a factory service manual or online repair guide for your specific Jeep model/year — it contains exact procedures and torque specs for 42RLE installations and related components.
- If internal transmission issues exist (hard shifting, slipping, fluid contamination), do not assume a mount replacement will fix them — those require separate diagnosis.

This gives you the theory, every component involved, what fails, and a practical safe procedure to replace the transmission mount/crossmember that “suspends” a 42RLE gearbox. Follow vehicle-specific manual for exact bolt locations and torque values.
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