5R55E likely damage?

[Wrath]

Hi all! Been around for a while, finally had a question I haven't seen answered by previous threads...

So I'm swapping in a replacement 4.0 sohc, and it's not going on the transmission fully. My dumb ass is thinking the transmission slid back and it's just too heavy to move back up with the T-case and rear driveshaft still attached. So I get some long bolts through the holes and start pulling the transmission in, making sure all the torque converter bolts are in the flex plate holes, and I hear a snap sound. Crap.

Then I read on here about the smaller center shaft not seating all the way in easily causing the converter to sit too far forward. Drop the case and transmission, cleaning it up now and getting ready to open up the bell end. So I submit for review the following:

1. What is my most likely point of failure resulting from end compression on the center shaft?

2. Is the torque converter supposed to rattle a bit when drained?

'99 limited, 4.0 SOHC, 5R55E, Borg Warner T-case.

Any insight welcome, and thanks in advance!

Edit 2022.0406 - It was apparently the torque converter.

 

[Wrath]

Got it all cleaned up, opened up, and the input shaft is seated. Is it normal for that little helical gear looking thing to stick up above the surface a little bit?

 

[Wrath]

Should I be able to turn the outer shaft (pump) by hand? It doesn't seem to want to move.

Edit: opened up the pump and discovered the shaft appears to be keyed to the housing and is not what drives the pump. Rather it is the two flats on the TC that engage the gear directly. So what does this outer shaft do? No apparent damage in the pump.

 

[drdoom]

I believe that is the pump stator. It engages the stator in the torque converter.

 

[Wrath]

I believe that is the pump stator. It engages the stator in the torque converter.

So it isn't supposed to move at all then?

 

[drdoom]

It is stationary. It's very important to have a good seal on it though.

 

[drdoom]

Back to your original questions: a couple things to watch ( you may already know), the input shaft is not symmetrical. Looks close but only goes one way. It can get stuck if it's flipped.
The other thing is when seating the torque converter, it's stub should be inside a straightedge placed across the bell housing by about 7/16". Forcing in the manner you described usually breaks the pump gears (which I do understand you said are OK).

 

[drdoom]

I'm not really someone who can tell you exactly what the stator shaft does, BUT it does support some important components inside the torque converter. It supports the stator (which you heard moving), and also is part of the piston hub system (TCC), and of course the hydraulic circuits run through there as well.
That's a crude description.

 

[Wrath]

Back to your original questions: a couple things to watch ( you may already know), the input shaft is not symmetrical. Looks close but only goes one way. It can get stuck if it's flipped.
The other thing is when seating the torque converter, it's stub should be inside a straightedge placed across the bell housing by about 7/16". Forcing in the manner you described usually breaks the pump gears (which I do understand you said are OK).

I'm wondering if I runched the torque converter. I've drained it since I'm doing filter and full fluid replacement while it's out, and I notice it has a bit of a rattle to it when I move it. Not like 'box o lego' with a bunch of small bits, but the stator itself can move as much as 1/8th of an inch either way. Is this normal? Parts shop says they can move a little...

 

[drdoom]

Yes

I'm wondering if I runched the torque converter. I've drained it since I'm doing filter and full fluid replacement while it's out, and I notice it has a bit of a rattle to it when I move it. Not like 'box o lego' with a bunch of small bits, but the stator itself can move as much as 1/8th of an inch either way. Is this normal? Parts shop says they can move a little...

Wrath, it moves, but once engaged on the shaft and mated to the pump, it should spin round freely without rattling. That's what the shaft does, keeps it centered inside the torque converter whilst all that horsepower churns around it!

 

[drdoom]

BTW those F57 converters are playing out before 170,000 miles and have destroyed countless 5R55Es in the process. If it's high mileage don't reuse it.

 

[Wrath]

Yes

Wrath, it moves, but once engaged on the shaft and mated to the pump, it should spin round freely without rattling. That's what the shaft does, keeps it centered inside the torque converter whilst all that horsepower churns around it!

Okay, cool. Thanks! I'm still concerned what that snap was in the first post. But I guess I'll reassemble everything and see if it all works!

 

[Wrath]

BTW those F57 converters are playing out before 170,000 miles and have destroyed countless 5R55Es in the process. If it's high mileage don't reuse it.

How would I tell if it's an F57? This one appears to say 97HFD followed by 0910 03

Edit: Bolt centers are 9.25" opposing sides.

 

[Wrath]

Could not find this gasket for the life of me. It goes between the rear extension housing and transfer case, but it seems I'm not using the right search terms. So I got some gasket sheet and made my own.

But seriously, what do the parts stores call this thing? Transfer Case Gasket doesn't seem to be it.

 

[Wrath]

Wondered why grease had collected on the pan magnet, wiped it off, then immediately realized why it's there. It sequesters iron debris from the fluid, away from the filter pickup. *puts fresh moly grease on the magnet* probably wasn't a bad idea to refresh it while I was in here anyway.

Edit: Later replies say not to do this! *wipes grease back off*

 

[donalds]

Don't grease the magnet that will cause damage
Just wipe it down and put it back that's it

 

[C420sailor]

That grease isn’t grease!!!

That’s wear particles combining with the fluid to create a paste that sticks to the magnet over time.

The only thing that should ever go in your trans is Mercon V. And maybe an additive, but only if you believe in such things and/or the trans is approaching end of life.

 

[Wrath]

That grease isn’t grease!!!

That’s wear particles combining with the fluid to create a paste that sticks to the magnet over time.

The only thing that should ever go in your trans is Mercon V. And maybe an additive, but only if you believe in such things and/or the trans is approaching end of life.

The original grease looked too uniform, like it was placed there, in three perfect rows. It was also medium gray in color, while the fluid had a reddish brown color. Doesn't look like a product of the transmission fluid at all. However, looking online it seems you are correct and the grease is indeed buildup. Weird that it formed in perfect rows though, like it was combed.

 

[drdoom]

The original grease looked too uniform, like it was placed there, in three perfect rows. It was also medium gray in color, while the fluid had a reddish brown color. Doesn't look like a product of the transmission fluid at all. However, looking online it seems you are correct and the grease is indeed buildup. Weird that it formed in perfect rows though, like it was combed.

Magnetic fields my man

 

[drdoom]

The gasket that is called an extension housing gasket.