Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) '98 transmission slips or is it the torque converter or?

[HerbW]

I have a '98 auto transmission in my truck and for about a year now, if I go to take off after it's sat overnight, it sits like it's in neutral for about 5 or 10 seconds. I service it often and is always clean and the fluid like new. I drive about 9K a year and change it yearly. 70K total mileage now. If I start to go up any incline while in OD at a lower speed, I also get alot of surging feeling. If I kick it out of OD, the trouble quits. It reminds me of a manual clutch when it's starting to slip when worn. I'm being force retired now at work so

I can't yet afford a transmission overhaul. Can this be the torque converter going TU? Switchs or controls? Thanks for your help. Herb

 

[fox]

The colds start issue is a drain back issue. When a dodge transmission starts this it is all about clearances. Usually explained as a loose converter hub bushing. It lets the top half of the converter slowly drain back into the pan. Since stock trannys don't fill the converter in park, you need to start it, put it in neutral for 30 seconds to refill it.



The shudder most likely is a converter clutch, but it can also be a front clutch slipping and/or the rear clutch. It needs diagnosed by a GOOD Dodge transmission guy.

 

[HerbW]

Fox,

Would a new torque converter fix the drain back problem sometimes? In other words, is the converter hub bushing part of the TC? It never used to do this except when outside was colder. The studder only seems to be at 1500 RPMs or less. I don't feel it at about 2k. Thanks, Herb

 

[fox]

No, it is the bushing and /or other things. Trans needs to come out to do it. It could be seals, or a porely machined case.

 

[GrantP]

Just to reiterate fox's comments (which are dead on), I had the exact same problems. Start the truck in the morning, put it in reverse and it would get me out of the driveway, put it in drive and nothing. Sit for 30 seconds to a minute (it got progressively worse) and it would "catch" and run fine. Truck had about 85k on it at the time. The problem was the bushing where the torque converter goes into the case.



The converter started shuddering at low rpm about a year after installing the #6 plate. Long story short, full DTT rebuild fixed both problems.

 

[HerbW]

GrantP,

Hummmmmmmmmmmm? I am running a TST#6 plate... ... ... . If I install a new T. Converter, Can the bushing be changed then? Thanks, Herb

 

[Fred Swanson]

Herb, if you go to the trouble of pulling the transmission to do that much, might as well have it gone through to insure nothing else is an issue.

 

[GrantP]

Funny that Fred jumped in... his ears must have been burning. He did my trans and pointed out the problem with the bushing.



I'm sure you could just replace the bushing and put it all back together, but you'd probably be pulling it all out again in a matter of months. I know it's not my money but the best bet is to refresh everything while it's out. The stock transmissions were terrible with an unmodified Cummins, throw more power at them and the weaknesses just become more obvious. Since you have increased the power output, give your transmission an upgrade to handle it while you have the opportunity.



My . 02 (or was that $3k?)



Grant

 

[KennethS]

My 95 trans. did that and got It rebuilt

After having the trans rebuilt and getting a new tourque converter. The old converter had hot spots and was glazed also. Also change the front planet was aluminum. The valve body now has full feed to converter and lube circuit . 075 1-2 . 089 2-3 brown tv springs. The overdrive was gone through also Did install new snap rings and replace the bearings with new. The overdrive had the 9 plate od direct clutch. Wow what a difference In the transmission. Dave Goerend did the work on the trans IN St Lucas, Iowa If you ever want to call them 563 778 2719 I spent 3 grand getting It done. Now when I leave the stop light I am out front. I left these fellows IN the dust.

 

[TravisG]

Now thats funny right there. I don't care who ya are!!!



Hey Fred. Hows it goin? Seen the new ride. Sweet.



Fox, Fred, and Kenneth are all dead on. If you are gonna pull it to replace the seal might as well let a respectable guy go through it. There are several guyz on here and all build a nice transmission.