[Richard]

It has been quite a 36 hours. As we pulled into Redgate in Savannah, I felt like the coach ran over something. Then I felt like one of the tires was locked as I rolled forward.

       

Nope, the part that bolts the transmission to the rear of the driveshaft had lost the bolts and slipped off the spline. Meaning the yoke, the flywheel that is part of the assembly, the rear universal, and the rear part of the shaft just simply came out and went under the coach. Yikes. 

Now the good part. That 150 lb chunk of steel described above hit the transmission case on it’s way under the coach. Yep, the tranny is puking all 5 gallons of it’s life’s blood in the driveway. This is not good, I think to myself at the time. Did I mention we are now blocking the driveway to a rather busy park on Friday before Memorial Day? They would like us to move. Other drivers would like us to move. I would like us to move,  but if wishes were fishes..........

Four hours later, and much conversation with the towing insurance company, a proper wrecker arrives. I am EXTREMELY anxious because of other towing horror stories. This guy, Chad (the owner) of Tim’s Towing and Recovery, could not have been more careful, courteous, and professional. Not a scratch, ding, or bent anything on the coach. He pulled me into a grassy field where we spent the night dry camping. 

The part that is cracked on the tranny is an extra port for the cooling system. We don’t utilize it. But a replacement part from Allison is at least a week out, and the parts guy is making NO promises. Hmmmmmm. The exploded view diagram shows an alternative part, a blanking plate. 

       
It took most of the next day to reassemble the driveshaft assembly. Did I say it was heavy? Did I say I was working under the coach in 95 degree temps with the gennie and ACs on high? Did I say I was in a grassy field? And oh yeah, did I say Miss Rhonda was slightly stressed? Did I say I used copious amounts of permanent locktite on the two bolts that backed out? 

Now the challenge is how to keep ATF in the tranny. I bought some 1/4 plate at Lowes, and used a portable milling machine, aka side grinder, to fashion a blanking plate. Drilled some holes, enlarged the holes, and enlarged again till all the bolts would thread in. 
   

Refilled tranny, and drove 100 miles or so today. All is well with trans function, trans temp, and no leaks. 

There was very little indication I had a problem. A ever so slight vibration for the last 200 miles, but so slight I doubt most would have felt it. It would come and go. Even though I had been under there recently, and I always look at the u joints, you could not see this connection because it is actually inside the transmission housing. When I get home from this trip, I will remove the existing two bolts, and use hex head bolts with some sort of “keeper”.