Torque converter, and input shaft related questions.

[DTD]

Hey guys, Im new to the board and I see Im not the only person that's having problems with their explorer! I have a few questions. First, I have a 1995 ford explorer eddie bauer, which has the 4r55e tranny in it.

First, I bought a replacement transmission to put in my explorer (dropped 4th gear or OD in mine) and I ran into a slight problem. Where the input shaft is, there is a secondary shaft inside of it. What is this called? This fell out on me and I stuck it back in but fear I didnt do something properly. I stuck my torque converter on and I couldnt seem to get that secondary shaft it fit. Also, when the torque converter is installed properly and you turn it, does the output shaft turn as well? This secondary shaft Im speaking of wil turn that output shaft w.out the T.C., but once I installed the T.C. that output shaft was turning but the torque converter was. Im no mechanic so im totally clueless! Also, whats the best way to pull the shaft back out and install? How do i properly install the torque converter? This tranny I bought has 130,000 on it. I replaced the pan gasket and filter. Should I replace anything else upon installation?

Thanks for any advice and thanks for having me on the board

Also, THANKYOU TO ALL THE MILITARY VETS ON THE BOARD!!!

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've renamed your thread, and moved it into the transmission section. Did you put the input shaft in the same direction as when you first removed it? Tilt the transmission at a slight angle, then keep turning the torque converter. You will notice that it keeps dropping another notch as you rotate it into place.

 

[DTD]

Welcome to this forum! I've renamed your thread, and moved it into the transmission section. Did you put the input shaft in the same direction as when you first removed it? Tilt the transmission at a slight angle, then keep turning the torque converter. You will notice that it keeps dropping another notch as you rotate it into place.

i'm not sure, I actually lifted up the rear end and it fell out. Does it go only on way? thanks

 

[BrooklynBay]

It has to go different steps before it will sit completely into place.

 

[DTD]

It has to go different steps before it will sit completely into place.

Ok, so the shaft has to go through different steps as well as the torque converter?? I thought this inner shaft just slid right in to where the grooves on the end matched the grooves inside

 

[BrooklynBay]

The shaft just goes in. The torque converter goes through different steps as it turns.

 

[DTD]

The shaft just goes in. The torque converter goes through different steps as it turns.

OK, that makes sense now. One last question. This input shaft turns the output shaft when I turn by hand. Now when I put torque converter back on and turn, the output shaft doesnt turn. Is it not supposed to or is it supposed to? Thanks for you help BB.

 

[BrooklynBay]

The operation of the torque converter is similar to a clutch. The difference is that the fluid hydraulically engages all of the internal plates instead of your foot pressing against a slave cylinder. Here are some internal diagrams:

 

[DTD]

So the output shaft should not turn until engaged?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Yes.

 

[muhl5443]

That is the pump shaft.

 

[BrooklynBay]

You are correct. This is the input shaft which turns the pump. https://www.wittrans.com/SchematicParts.aspx?Transmission=A4LD/4R44E/4R55E/5R55E&LinkCode=670
https://www.wittrans.com/Schematic.aspx?Transmission=A4LD/4R44E/4R55E/5R55E&Schematic=2

 

[Walldingo]

Brooklyn, I've got a related question that fit here so I moved off of PM. As a reminder, I'm doing the 4x4 to 4x2 mod... I installed my trans and didn't follow the instructions on turning the torque converter until it was properly seated. Got the starter grinding noise. Eventually pulled the trans and converter off again. The teeth on the input shaft and gears in the converter look good. I did see what looked like a thin hard plastic gasket (orangey/brownish) between the 2 sets of gears in the torque converter that appeared to have separated. I'm assuming that is bad? I couldn't see anything that looks like that in your posted pics.

 

[BrooklynBay]

There is a small seal that goes on the stator shaft: https://www.wittrans.com/SchematicParts.aspx?Transmission=A4LD/4R44E/4R55E/5R55E&LinkCode=178

 

[Walldingo]

I'm guessing it's one of the many rings in this pic:
http://www.sonnax.com/part_finder.php?pl=2&make=2&unit=35&show_only_tt=false&show_only_sc=false
Anyway, decided to back and pull another at the Junk yard. A late model 99 that was a cash for clunkers. Went ahead and grabbed a couple of the long bell housing bolts and made some trans holders out of them. The only diff I see is the new TC inner gears don't have three slots like the old one. I tried the input shaft and it fits like a glove so I think I'm good.
My only concern now is that I did damage to the pump by running misaligned or the housing by forcing it in misaligned?

 

[BrooklynBay]

The only way to know if there is damage is to inspect it.

 

[Walldingo]

BB, another question, put the new torque converter in and not only does it clunk in 3 times but when it gets to the bottom it gets to the point it will no longer turn. I assume this isn't a problem since the crank shaft will pull it slightly forward?

 

[BrooklynBay]

It should still be able to turn, but will make a scratching noise since it's on the bottom. It will get pulled back into the proper position when it connects to the flexplate.

 

[Walldingo]

OK. the new torque converter is from a late 99/early 00 5R55E. The old torque converter is probably a 97. The trans is an early 99 5R55E. Any reason they wouldn't match because it definitely comes to a stop, not just scratching noise. When the TC is off I can turn the input shaft by hand.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Did you compare the shafts of both torque converters to make sure that they were the same length?