I'm getting ready to replace the transmission mount on my 97 TJ (5-spd,
4.0L, AX-15 tranny), and as I bought this Jeep used recently, and it was previsouly used mainly as an offroad vehicle, I don't know what to expect as far as the condition of the current hardware, given the fact that one of the nuts holding the mount to the skid plate is missing already, and those studs are all rusted up. As such, I decided to just replace the bolts connecting the mount to the transmission housing with all new ones.I got from the Jeep parts department the specification that these bolts are 0.437" (aka 7/16") x 14 x 1.120". The problem is 1.120" is a completely non-standard size, and this isn't a part the dealer carries. I have however been able to obtain 1.125" (1-1/8") grade 5 bolts in that size.
My question to all you Jeep geniuses out there is, how tight is the clearance between the ends of these bolts and the rear of the transmission housing. Am I going to have a problem as a result of this extra 5 thousandths of an inch? Does anybody know where I can obtain the right size bolts if so? I find it hard to believe that anyone would design something like that with such tight tolerances, but then stupider things have happened. I'd like to avoid any surprises once I've got the skid plate off and all, so I want to make sure I have appropriate hardware before I start.
Any help or reassurance that I'm not going to puncture or crack my tranny housing with my extra 5 thousandths of an inch (or a warning that I will if that's the case) will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Scott