ASE Automatic Transmission and Transaxle (A2) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The most likely cause for cracks around bell housing bolt holes in a transmission case is improper alignment during tightening. When the bell housing is not aligned correctly with the engine, excessive stress can be placed on the bolt holes as the bolts are tightened. This misalignment can lead to uneven pressure distribution, causing the material around the bolt holes to flex excessively and eventually crack under the strain.

It’s essential that the alignment of the bell housing is precise to ensure that the forces are evenly distributed across the entire mating surface. If the alignment is off, the transmission case can suffer from localized stress concentrations that lead to cracking, which can compromise the integrity of the transmission and lead to significant performance issues or failure.

The other factors mentioned, such as a damaged transmission case or improper use of tools like a pry bar, can lead to various issues, but they are less directly responsible for the specific cracking around the bolt holes than the alignment issue during installation. Not marking the flexplate position does not relate to the structural integrity of the bell housing bolt holes but instead affects balance and timing during reinstallation.