Torque converter replacement

[usafape]

Hi all,

I have questions about changing the torque converter of my '93 XLT. Does anyone have steps of how can I replace it. I think this is how (in a simplified way):

1- remove drive shaft
2- remove transfer case
3- remove transmission
4- replace torque converted
5- put everything back together
6- drive (or freak out and pay someone to do it all over again)

Any input will be appreciated.

Thanks,

usafape

 

[MalcolmV8]

Why are you replacing it? What are the signs of a failing/failed torque converter?
Have you ever replaced or installed a torque converter? Do you know about seating it properly into the pump when sliding it onto the transmission?

 

[usafape]

Why are you replacing it? What are the signs of a failing/failed torque converter?
Have you ever replaced or installed a torque converter? Do you know about seating it properly into the pump when sliding it onto the transmission?

It died on me. My X is not moving and there is a noise coming from the torque converter housing. I suspect the problem is with the torque converter. I have never replaced the torque converter and that is the main reason why I posted the thread. I understand the torque converter has to be properly seated into the pump, but how would I know it?

Thanks for replying,

usafape

 

[97BlackX5.0]

well first off if you have noises coming from the area around the bellhousing im 99 percent sure your a4ld has bit the dust and it will be more involved than a torque converter. Did it dump fluid out everywhere or did it just stop moving. Do a search for a4ld in the forum search function and you will find out just how involved it can get.

 

[usafape]

There is no oil leak after it happened. What happened was that the car was parked with the emergency break on. I put on drive and forgot to release the break. It tried to move but all of the sudden there was no move and a crank noise was coming from transmission (it was actualy one crank for every engine revolution).

 

[MalcolmV8]

I'd have to agree with 97, it's probably not going to be as easy as just replacing the torque converter. I've recently replaced my transmission (several times) and it's not exactly some quick job. It's a lot of hard work not to mention the cost of a new converter just to be back to square one.
Even if just the torque converter did fail there's probably a very high chance some debris has made its way into your tranny.

Not to mention forgetting your parking brake on won't kill the torque converter or transmission. It would over power the brakes and if you kept laying into the gas it would just light up the tires. Something else is wrong to cause the failure.

If you're going to pull the tranny yourself I'd get it rebuilt. It's a 93 and I assume a lot of miles? Perhaps get towed to a local tranny shop and let them look / hear it and tell you what they think.

Malcolm

 

[jster91]

How do you seat it properly?

 

[MalcolmV8]

How do you seat it properly?

wow this thread is from 2005 but to answer your question when a torque converter is slid into the transmission there's a keyed area on the shaft for lack of better explanation that has to be aligned just right so it can slide all the way down or else the torque converter is not seated all the way down. When you bolt the tranny up to the motor it'll crush the oil pump and or damage your torque converter.
So what you do is elevate the front of the tranny upwards and then slide the torque converter down and once it appears to be all the way down wiggle it around real slow and try to line up the keyed area on the shaft and suddenly you'll see it slip down a little further. Then it is seated all the way down.

Hope that helps
Malcolm