Gotta take out my 700R4 to have it rebuilt, and looking in the factory service manual it says that the torque arm and rear coil springs must be removed. Is this absolutely necessary to take out the springs? This could turn into a much bigger project than I thought if so....

 

You have to remove the torque arm from the tranny, but not necessarily from the rear end, although there is only two bolts there, and it will get it out of your way. No on the springs.

You'll also want to take the distributor cap off, and get a jack under the front of the motor and jack it up some, so the rear of the motor comes down some, to get to the upper most bellhousing bolts. - they are a PITA, as you can't very well see them.

Make sure you have enough clearance to get that tranny out - I had to jack up to about 20 inches, and then take it out through the front driver fenderwell with wheel removed.

Check your stash of tylenol/advil/aleve bottles - there is a size that makes a perfect tranny plug!

And this ain't no toyota 5speed - that sucka is heavy - cover the family jewels! I got a tranny jack at Harbor Freight for $50 - was a life saver!