Torque converter removal
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 316
Likes: 1
From: The Woodlands TX
Torque converter removal
Has anyone ever removed a torque converter without removing the transmission?? I was wondering if there was enough clearance if I removed all the bellhousing bolts, replaced two of them with longer bolts and separated the transmission enough to remove the converter? Really don't want to drop the whole thing since I have no transmission jack and am not fond of doing it all on a floor jack.
Thanks...
Thanks...
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, the World
Re: Torque converter removal (SharkintheWoods)
Unfortunately you will have to remove the transmission. The input shaft sticks out of the trans nearly all the way to the edge of the bell housing and you have to slide the converter off the shaft.
At least you can drop the cross member and now would be a good time to lash out on a trolley jack as well.
If you are just changing the converter, height of the car is not so important but if you wish to get the trans out from under the car make sure the car is high enough to clear the trans on the trolley jack. I have just had the trans out of my Bonneville and didn't get it up high enough. Had to wrestle the trans back onto the jack under the car. :nonod: Makes it hard work!
:cheers:
At least you can drop the cross member and now would be a good time to lash out on a trolley jack as well.
If you are just changing the converter, height of the car is not so important but if you wish to get the trans out from under the car make sure the car is high enough to clear the trans on the trolley jack. I have just had the trans out of my Bonneville and didn't get it up high enough. Had to wrestle the trans back onto the jack under the car. :nonod: Makes it hard work!
:cheers:
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
From: Point Pleasant NJ
Re: Torque converter removal (SharkintheWoods)
Yeah I know the desire... Its a bust ars kinda job for not much other than pulling and pushing something new on. I wonder what it would cost to have someone do it for you. With a lift and a tranny jack shouldnt take too much time or effort. Maybe you can even just beg, borrow, steal some time from a friend somewhere for it all.
Spook
:reddevil
Spook
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
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Re: Torque converter removal (SharkintheWoods)
Yeah, you gotta drop the tranny to change the TC. I did mine with a floor jack and some blocks of wood. I put the jack under the center of the pan and added blocks until they were about 1-1/2 below the jack, then lowered the unbolted tranny down on the blocks. I then removed the jack, then I slid the blocks out one at a time until I had it setting on a single 1"x6". Then I was able to slide it out from under the car.
Jacking the car up high enough is a problem when trying to clear the torque convertor housing, but it isn't too hard if you remove the left front wheel. You can get enough clearance by going out thru there.
If all your going to do is replace the TC, then you don't have to worry about dragging it out, in fact you don't have to worry about dropping it all the way to the ground, all you have to do is get it where the tail shaft is below the crossmember then you can slide it back far enough to get the old TC out and the new TC in. Remember to pour in at least a quart of ATF inside of the TC before you slide it in place.
A good thing to do if you are going to have the tranny down is to at least replace the TC seal, it is cheap and easy to replace.
[Modified by Smokehouse69, 1:39 PM 10/15/2003]
Jacking the car up high enough is a problem when trying to clear the torque convertor housing, but it isn't too hard if you remove the left front wheel. You can get enough clearance by going out thru there.
If all your going to do is replace the TC, then you don't have to worry about dragging it out, in fact you don't have to worry about dropping it all the way to the ground, all you have to do is get it where the tail shaft is below the crossmember then you can slide it back far enough to get the old TC out and the new TC in. Remember to pour in at least a quart of ATF inside of the TC before you slide it in place.
A good thing to do if you are going to have the tranny down is to at least replace the TC seal, it is cheap and easy to replace.
[Modified by Smokehouse69, 1:39 PM 10/15/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Lake Villa IL
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St. Jude Contributor
Re: Torque converter removal (SharkintheWoods)
You don't have to remove the tranny. These guys are all wrong. But you do have to remove the engine instead. :jester
:cheers:
:cheers:
