Can torque converters "shake"
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Can torque converters "shake"
Sitting in park, I have a bad (car shaking) vibration above 900 rpm. Very bad around 1300. I can't figure it out so I've had it looked at a couple of times. So far:
1) Motor mounts appear good but not tested.
2) Ballancer shows no wobble and is on time.
3) Engine runs great.
4) A little play and wobble in belts and pullies.
Latest mechanic suggested that the torque converter might be going bad or "has thrown a weight". Anyone else had this problem?
1) Motor mounts appear good but not tested.
2) Ballancer shows no wobble and is on time.
3) Engine runs great.
4) A little play and wobble in belts and pullies.
Latest mechanic suggested that the torque converter might be going bad or "has thrown a weight". Anyone else had this problem?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 5
From: Lake Villa IL
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Can torque converters "shake" (black1980)
As I understand it, a torque converter can make a lot of noise, if loose. The shake? I'm not sure. But I would take the advice of pulling the inspection cover. I would also verify that the motor mounts aren't bad.
Good luck with it.
Good luck with it.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: Can torque converters "shake" (black1980)
Ive never had a tq convertor begin to shake after it was already installed and working properly. I did once get a convertor that was out of balance during a trans swap. That one caused a vibration just like you describe. The way i proved it was the convertor was to remove the inspection cover, Then remove the 3 bolts that connect the convertor to the flexplate, pust the convertor back from the flexplate, then start the engine with the convertor unhooked. When it was unhooked the vibe was gone. Replaced the convertor and solved the problem.
Could it maybe be some kind of engine miss causing the shaking?
Could it maybe be some kind of engine miss causing the shaking?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Re: Can torque converters "shake" (Jvette73)
Engine runs very well. How difficult is to dicsonnect the converter? Dangerous?
Checking motor mounts tomorrow but I think the vibration is to violent for that.
Checking motor mounts tomorrow but I think the vibration is to violent for that.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Can torque converters "shake" (Jvette73)
I have seen SOME converters that have to mounted in a certain way...otherwise the things will not index correctly on their intended flexplate....I forget the car, but I had to try a converter 3x to get it right...where all 3 flexplate bolts went in and secure.....
GENE
GENE
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: Can torque converters "shake" (black1980)
its very simple to dis-connect the convertor from flexplate. Just remove the cover, remove the three convertor bolts. You will have to turn the engine to get to all of them. I can usually just put a glove on or wrap my hand in a rag and turn it at the flywheel by hand. Once all 3 bolts are removed you will be able to move the convertor back away from the flexplate. No need to put the cover back on for the test. Just climb up in the seat and fire it up. I would recomend using locktite on the bolts when you put em back in.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Re: Can torque converters "shake" (Jvette73)
Thanks Jvette73. I'm going to try that. I've spent six months chasing this vibration and your method might save me another needless $300+ expenditure. Actually that wouldn't be so bad if it would just fix this.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 99
From: Orrtanna Pa.
Re: Can torque converters "shake" (black1980)
I had a 80 TransAm that ballooned 3 converters.The new converters always fixed the shake,but 6 months to a year later I was changing them again.
The only thing I could figure is I ran a B&M shift kit,and even P275 60's would bark loudly when I hit second. I was young and overly enthusiastic with the gas peddle. :blueangel:
The only thing I could figure is I ran a B&M shift kit,and even P275 60's would bark loudly when I hit second. I was young and overly enthusiastic with the gas peddle. :blueangel:
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 3
From: Surrey
Re: Can torque converters "shake" (black1980)
Just FYI I've just replaced both my motor mounts as they were broken clean in half. The car never shook & I had no indication that they were broken. The only reason I found they were broken was because I changed them as a matter of course when I fitted Headers.
Have you checked the tranny mount?
:cheers:
Have you checked the tranny mount?
:cheers:
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Re: Can torque converters "shake" (black1980)
If it's not your torque converter, try your harmonic balancer. I just spent 3 months chasing down a vibration problem. Mine started at about 2500 rpm, parked or driving. I could not tell there was anything wrong with the balancer by looking at it, no wobble or anything. They aren't called vibration dampers for nothing. I should mention that I have a manual tranny also.
Randy
Randy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,025
Likes: 1
From: Billings MT
Re: Can torque converters "shake" (black1980)
STOP RUNNING IT!!!
I had this exact same problem last summer. It turned out that the locating disc on the nose of the converter that lines it up with the crank had broken off and the converter is off center. In the process it completely destroyed the pump in my transmission. I had to pull it, replace the converter, and have a new pump put in my transmission. That little disc is only spot welded on, before you do anything else with it, pull the converter.
good luck.
I had this exact same problem last summer. It turned out that the locating disc on the nose of the converter that lines it up with the crank had broken off and the converter is off center. In the process it completely destroyed the pump in my transmission. I had to pull it, replace the converter, and have a new pump put in my transmission. That little disc is only spot welded on, before you do anything else with it, pull the converter.
good luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 2
From: Beaverton, OR
Re: Can torque converters "shake" (VETDRMS)
STOP RUNNING IT!!!
I had this exact same problem last summer. It turned out that the locating disc on the nose of the converter that lines it up with the crank had broken off and the converter is off center. In the process it completely destroyed the pump in my transmission. I had to pull it, replace the converter, and have a new pump put in my transmission. That little disc is only spot welded on, before you do anything else with it, pull the converter.
good luck.
I had this exact same problem last summer. It turned out that the locating disc on the nose of the converter that lines it up with the crank had broken off and the converter is off center. In the process it completely destroyed the pump in my transmission. I had to pull it, replace the converter, and have a new pump put in my transmission. That little disc is only spot welded on, before you do anything else with it, pull the converter.
good luck.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Re: Can torque converters "shake" (VETDRMS)
Now there's a handy piece of information. Drove it last night, before I saw your post, and had almost no vibration at all. The converter must be moving around in there. Not *even* cool.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Re: Can torque converters "shake" (black1980)
I see this fairly often in our fleet, especially behind BB's. No pattern, other than the students that rent them tend to beat the c##p out of 'em :D. It does wipe out the bushing, seal and front pump if left unattended.
Hans
Hans
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Re: Can torque converters "shake" (black1980)
It wasn't the torque converter or anything else to do with the transmission. Bubba put a 400cid in this one. A guy at the transmission place noticed that the block has four freeze plugs instead of three. That means early 400 we believe.
So, now its back to square one. 400's are externally ballenced (so I'm told) so the ballencer can be good but might be the wrong one.
Don't think your comments were wasted though. I've learned a lot of stuff from you guys and I appreciated it. :cheers:
So, now its back to square one. 400's are externally ballenced (so I'm told) so the ballencer can be good but might be the wrong one.
Don't think your comments were wasted though. I've learned a lot of stuff from you guys and I appreciated it. :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 2
From: Beaverton, OR
Re: Can torque converters "shake" (black1980)
It wasn't the torque converter or anything else to do with the transmission. Bubba put a 400cid in this one. A guy at the transmission place noticed that the block has four freeze plugs instead of three. That means early 400 we believe.
So, now its back to square one. 400's are externally ballenced (so I'm told) so the ballencer can be good but might be the wrong one.
Don't think your comments were wasted though. I've learned a lot of stuff from you guys and I appreciated it. :cheers:
So, now its back to square one. 400's are externally ballenced (so I'm told) so the ballencer can be good but might be the wrong one.
Don't think your comments were wasted though. I've learned a lot of stuff from you guys and I appreciated it. :cheers:
Your engine may be externally balanced, sure, but seems to me that the shake wouldn't have suddenly started due to having the wrong balancer or something like that. Seems more likely that if it is externally balanced, you threw a weight or something along those lines...
I'm curious what other folks say here?
