I got my new overdrive switch (the one at the transmission)...

I steeled myself for a full Saturday under the car removing the brace so I could lower the trans to reach the switch...

Jacked the trans, removed the brace, carefully lowered the jack, and... the trans only dropped 1/2 inch!

I disconnected the driveline but only gained another 1/2 inch. The oilpan drops to the front brace and that's all I can get. I can't seem to find a socket or wrench that will do the job in my available space. I had studied various sources before trying this and got no mention of this possible problem.

Anybody out there have a better idea how I can get this switch changed?

Thanks.
Jim Wilkerson

If you want to drop the tranny more try loosening the front engine mounts, support the rear first though or they will have too much tension. Then loosen off but do not remove the nuts for the front motor mounts, now when you lower the rear tranny it should come down more, the only thing to watch out for is the fan hanging up in the rad or the rad shroud.

Are you talking about the solenoid on the AW71?

I replaced mine with a funny looking ratched and a long socket. The ractchet had a wobbly head and about a 45-degree angle on it. No need to remove any bracing.

The one I replaced it with was defective, so I've had the fun of doing it three times. Fortunately my friend is a mechanic and I can use a lift on the weekends.

There's lots of dirt up there, and it can easily fall into the transmission when that solenoid is removed, so be careful.

Edit: Here's a pic of the ratchet I used. I'm sure it's copyrighted or something so don't anybody sue me.