700R4 output shaft sleeve

[Sovereign]

How do you remove the output shaft sleeve on a 700R4? I'm referring to the sleeve on the output shaft shown here http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/drivetrain/yokeleak.htm

The article says to slide it off but mine won't slide off. I even tried prying a little with no success. I have not tried tapping with a mallet and drift. This is my first time encountering this sleeve as I have only opened car transmissions up previously.

My truck is lowered about 6" in the rear. Could this have cause my driveshaft to move forward and jam this sleeve further up on the output shaft? Just thinking out loud in case it's not normal for this sleeve to be difficult to remove.

Thanks for the help.

[Bigdav160]

The sleeve is just a snug fit on the output shaft. I haven't had much luck reusing them. Fill the hole in the yoke and discard the sleeve.

[Sovereign]

Will that cause issues elsewhere since the pressure gets built up in the yoke?

[kwmech]

Not supposed to if the transmission case vent is not plugged up

[Accelo]

If the sleeve isn't pulled off square it will enlarge the sleeve's press fit and when it is reinstalled it will be too loosed to stay put.

A long arm puller will work. I have a special tool for metal speedometer gears that I use.

Their are several different styles of yolks. With and without the vent holes and with and without a missing spline that allows the air to move from the captive area behind the yolk to the transmission. If you leave out the splash sleeve and plug the hole you have to have the yolk with the missing spline.

Sometimes you can use two large screwdrivers and a couple wood spacers between the case and the screwdrivers. This allows you to pry from both sides. Typically the transmission needs to be on it's nose and it requires two people.
Don't forget to install the new "O" ring into the sleeve.

[Sovereign]

I have the missing spline in the yoke. I can double check the case vent, too.

Out of curiosity, is there a special took that is supposed to be used to reclamp this sleeve? I mean, how would a GM tech do it at the dealership?

Thanks

[LeesTruk]

I would think you could start the sleave/seal on the output shaft, then use a yolk as a driving tool, to push the sleave to its' final destination on the shaft. The yolk would center the sleave on the shaft as well

[Accelo]

The yolk fits inside the sleeve and will not drive it on.
This is a case where it just looks so simple but it isn't.

Even the bushing driving tool will not work as it would have to have a hole in it to clear the output shaft.
Most re-builder do not remove this part from the shaft. Clean and replace the "O" ring and your are good to go.
Obviously you have a 2 wheel drive unit. You may be able to use the tail housing, seal end first, to tap it back on.

[Sovereign]

I have to replace my speed drive gear though. That's the only reason I'm in there.

[Accelo]

That's a good reason!
I have a tool I made for removing the metal speedometer gears.
The metal ones that have to be pulled.
It also works for pulling the output sleeve.
I used to use it to tap them back in place.
Before I made a tool just for this purpose.
It is just a heavy walled piece of aluminum tubing I got off Ebay.

[LeesTruk]

Accelo, you're right that the yolk fits into the sleave, but the sleeve does have a bottom shoulder, of which the yolk would butt up against, then you could tap the yolk to "drive" the sleeve into place, couldn't you? Not trying to "kick" a dead horse here, it just seems like a simple solution to a simple problem

[Accelo]

LessTruk
Yes, it would work. I was thinking it should be a little past where the yolk would drive it.
However, if bottomed in sleeve and the yolk bottomed it would be past any operations point. Your are correct.