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Torque Converter Replacement

15K views 14 replies 8 participants last post by  02f300 
#1 ·
My torque converter is making noise like crazy. Local shop quoted me 900 to replace and install a billet single disk converter.

Would much rather replace myself for only a few hundred dollars depending on the converter I go with.

Has anyone done this in there garage in a weekend? Any special tools needed? Any good instructions online anyone knows of. Never removed a transmission before and don't want to bite off more than I can handle.

Will most likely only have the truck for another year or so not sure how crazy to go with the converter.

Thinking between these two

1996-2005 Ford E & F Series Truck Torque Converter

Ford Truck Heavy Duty Special Billet, Ford Powerstroke

Thanks, Josh
 
#2 ·
Personally, I'd do it myself. Harbor Freight as a transmission jack for about $60 that I bought when I swapped my old Ram from an Auto to a Manual. To remove the tranny, drain all fluid, remove tranny lines, remove shifter cable attachment, remove driveshafts from TCase/plug the rear of the Tcase, Support tranny with jack, remove bellhousing access plate at the bottom, remove starter, remove torque converter bolts (will need to spin the motor by hand/wrench), push converter back a bit off the flywheel, remove all bellhousing bolts, remove tranny cross member. Drop transmission.

It really wasn't that difficult to do in my driveway - messy yes, but not difficult at all.
 
#3 ·
So you didn't have to remove the transfer case? There is enough room to drop the tranny with just removing the drive shafts?

Dang I may have to try this myself and save me some money.
 
#4 ·
With the driveshafts removed you shouldn't have to remove the Tcase. I didn't have to on my Ram and after looking under my F350, I don't see why I'd have to as well.

Which reminds me - depending on which Tcase you have, you might need to remove the handle or obviously a wire if its a switched case.
 
#7 ·
If you are going to not remove the t case make sure you bolt the tranny to the tranny jack. Because it sticks out to the side it'll make it want to roll off the jack and 1 person alone can't easily handle it. We dropped mine and there was 2 of us the first time.

Removing the t case only takes a couple minutes, and costs a 3$ paper gasket. But I never bothered, even with my 6 speed swap
 
#8 · (Edited)
Looks like I will just have to drop the trans and see if it is the flexplate or converter and have the truck be down for a few extra days.

Thanks for the help!!

Never dropped a tranny before, jack go right on the pan to balance it?
 
#10 · (Edited)
This

Most ofthe time, its the flexplate that has cracked.
see my truck's FP - this has happened to a few of us.



I got to do the job twice - on Saturday with a buddy first for a new TC (the old was roasted), then Sunday for the flexplate (which was rattling like hell...)... which one took out which I have no idea, probably a crack in the flexplate garbled up the TC.

and This

If you are going to not remove the t case make sure you bolt the tranny to the tranny jack. Because it sticks out to the side it'll make it want to roll off the jack and 1 person alone can't easily handle it. We dropped mine and there was 2 of us the first time.
Dropped it the first day with a buddy, strapped it to the Harbor frieght tranny jack the second time.

Get some big extensions and a impact swivel bit to get at the top two bellhousing bolts tackle them from the underside back alongside the tranny.
 
#11 ·
No idea on the current trans, guy before me just took it to the shop for everything and didn't have records. Truck has 355,000 and still shifts through just fine. I think if I am in there I might as well just replace the Converter as well so I don't have to take the trans off again. Might as well invest in the harbor jack as well heard its not to bad for 50 bucks!
 
#12 ·
So I think I am going to order the Billet converter above. Worth the extra 50 to get the multi clutch system?

Also for those that have done this do I need the new mounting nut kit and pump seal and bushing??

Thanks again for all the responses.
 
#14 ·
Agree with Timmy, mine is the "better" HF one, it comes with a ratchet strap attached too it. It pivots so it sits on the tranny just right, I had no problems with the trans/tcase combo tipping it over. Also made bolting it back up a breeze
 
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