Just Fishing's 09 Tahoe Build thread

[Just Fishing]

Sitting here watching youtube...
Made me think of the massive snap ring pliers needed to get the rear support removed.

Example vid:

So the yellow ones like he uses, i found them new for about $190 after tax...

Then there is this blue set sold as "custom made"

Those can be had for about $130

Me, figuring I'll be doing this once, unless i screw up that is, i got the blue ones.

First thing i noticed while using the blue ones, they painted them with out using any primer.
Meaning paint chips and flakes off.

Before i even allowed them in my transmission i took some carb cleaner and removed the paint on the end, and just above the hinge point.

Then the next issue.
The stupid curve of the handles is too wide and low.

Makes it slightly challenging to get them wide enough to start the snap ring out.

And then finally, the ends of the pliers need to be angled in more to really grab the snap ring.

I tried to use a file to cut a notch in the pins on the end, but they are properly hardened and i couldn't scratch them.

So that's a plus for them.

Before reinstall, I'm planning to break out some air tools to properly notch those damn things.

I'm also thinking about tossing them into my blasting cabinet to get all of that ****** paint off.

I also think if i took off a little metal where the handles catch the case, they would work much better.

But in the end, these are really just a single use to me.
So it's probably good enough.

Really comes down to how bored i get this weekend since I'm still waiting on parts.

I'll get some pictures here soon, I'll also touch on the pump assembly when it comes time.

For now everything is in boxes to stay nice and clean before final assembly.


Also, incase anyone is wondering.
I'm enjoying every moment of this.

But not counting the credit card bill... lol

 

[pwtr02ss]

Sitting here watching youtube...
Made me think of the massive snap ring pliers needed to get the rear support removed.

Example vid:

So the yellow ones like he uses, i found them new for about $190 after tax...

Then there is this blue set sold as "custom made"

Those can be had for about $130

Me, figuring I'll be doing this once, unless i screw up that is, i got the blue ones.

First thing i noticed while using the blue ones, they painted them with out using any primer.
Meaning paint chips and flakes off.

Before i even allowed them in my transmission i took some carb cleaner and removed the paint on the end, and just above the hinge point.

Then the next issue.
The stupid curve of the handles is too wide and low.

Makes it slightly challenging to get them wide enough to start the snap ring out.

And then finally, the ends of the pliers need to be angled in more to really grab the snap ring.

I tried to use a file to cut a notch in the pins on the end, but they are properly hardened and i couldn't scratch them.

So that's a plus for them.

Before reinstall, I'm planning to break out some air tools to properly notch those damn things.

I'm also thinking about tossing them into my blasting cabinet to get all of that ****** paint off.

I also think if i took off a little metal where the handles catch the case, they would work much better.

But in the end, these are really just a single use to me.
So it's probably good enough.

Really comes down to how bored i get this weekend since I'm still waiting on parts.

I'll get some pictures here soon, I'll also touch on the pump assembly when it comes time.

For now everything is in boxes to stay nice and clean before final assembly.


Also, incase anyone is wondering.
I'm enjoying every moment of this.

But not counting the credit card bill... lol

I watched that video to the point of being disassembled and explaining the sub components.

Question, the large snap ring seems like the snap rings in the 4L60 that you remove with a plan ol flat head screw driver, working your way around the case. Being as you've done both now, is that snap ring just super stiff and thats why you need those pliers?

Thanks for linking the video btw. That looks VERY straight forward. Interesting how things are different between between the two.

 

[Just Fishing]

I watched that video to the point of being disassembled and explaining the sub components.

Question, the large snap ring seems like the snap rings in the 4L60 that you remove with a plan ol flat head screw driver, working your way around the case. Being as you've done both now, is that snap ring just super stiff and thats why you need those pliers?

Thanks for linking the video btw. That looks VERY straight forward. Interesting how things are different between between the two.

Yeah, super stiff lots of grunting.

For the 4l60, i used a medium sized duck bill looking pliers to get the snap ring out.
I modified that set to grab better too.

This snap ring is a different ball game.

But i didn't even try using a smaller set, after watching lots of vids on the subject, i went straight to a large set.

 

[pwtr02ss]

Yeah, super stiff lots of grunting.

For the 4l60, i used a medium sized duck bill looking pliers to get the snap ring out.
I modified that set to grab better too.

This snap ring is a different ball game.

But i didn't even try using a smaller set, after watching lots of vids on the subject, i went straight to a large set.

Thank you sir

 

[Just Fishing]

Thank you sir

If you ever decide to do this, I'll probably be willing to sell off my pliers.
I'm probably going to modify my set so they work better, so assuming I don't ruin them they will be available.

 

[Just Fishing]

last night i finally opened the box of lower block seals i bought a month ago to get the rear main seal installed into the rear cover.

Ran into a brown colored one?!
last time this was black.

It was also missing the "this side out" marking, so i had to go confirm on the last rear main to confirm it's direction.

I also noticed it was maybe a tad larger than the last one, pretty hard to get in there.
Last one was super easy.



I'm thinking i got some old stock from summit, but hopefully they didn't replace it due to leaking issues...

 

[pwtr02ss]

last night i finally opened the box of lower block seals i bought a month ago to get the rear main seal installed into the rear cover.

Ran into a brown colored one?!
last time this was black.

It was also missing the "this side out" marking, so i had to go confirm on the last rear main to confirm it's direction.

I also noticed it was maybe a tad larger than the last one, pretty hard to get in there.
Last one was super easy.

View attachment 366455

I'm thinking i got some old stock from summit, but hopefully they didn't replace it due to leaking issues...

Mine was black...

Do you have the alignment tools for the covers?

 

[Just Fishing]

Mine was black...

Do you have the alignment tools for the covers?

talking about the pump cover?

If yes,
then yes, I have one for a 4l60.
I never used them before, but I was in a tool buying mood and it was cheap.

Since I'm not really in a hurry and I like to perfect things, I feel like I can align them better using my fingers.

So, I'll test it out with the old pump to see if it aligns better than I can with my own fingers or the same.

And the reviews for that alignment tool I have said they used it on a 6l80...

 

[pwtr02ss]

talking about the pump cover?

If yes,
then yes, I have one for a 4l60.
I never used them before, but I was in a tool buying mood and it was cheap.

Since I'm not really in a hurry and I like to perfect things, I feel like I can align them better using my fingers.

So, I'll test it out with the old pump to see if it aligns better than I can with my own fingers or the same.

And the reviews for that alignment tool I have said they used it on a 6l80...

I meant for the front and rear covers on the engine.

 

[Just Fishing]

And I did some tinkering with the tool tips via die grinder and cut off wheel.

This fits and holds the snap ring very well.


they were perfectly straight and polished before.
It probably would have worked to just rough them up and add a flat spot.

This is working much better.