Need help; torque converter removal

[SRehberg]

I am in the immediate need of some expertise, as my truck is in deep doo-doo. I wanted to upgrade the torque converter, so figured it was a no big deal, as I have done gas ones before in my earlier days. Needless to say, I have the truck in pieces and for the life of me, cannot figure out how to get the torque converter bolts out of the flex plate, let alone to put them back in and torque them. I have the factory manual, which is good for getting you well involved, but leaving out some pertinent details. All of the torque converters I have ever removed before, the bolts were accessed from the inspection cover. Not so on the CTD. The only thing I see is a hole hiding behind the oil pan of the engine that is basically inaccessible by wrench; what am I missing? I've tried all the languages I know, and have invented a few new ones today as well! The cross member is a son-of-gun to get out as well, I think it fits tighter than the KDP!



Any help you could forward to me will be most appreciated.



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'96 no wheel drive; truck is in pain

 

[BigYellowIron]

There is a cover on the passenger side of the engine about half way up on the fron side of the bell housing. Right above the round plastic plug that you remove to bar the engine over. The cover is held on by two bolts that take a 10mm socket.



You must roll the engine around to get each bolt



I used a large screwdriver to move the engine, by pring on the flywheel teeth and the bell housing through the inspection cover on the bottom.



hope that helps!

Adam

 

[BigYellowIron]

When you go to put the cross member back in, jack the transmission up a ways (bolt it up to the engine first), then start the cross member high and put it in in a downward motion using a large hammer.



If you look at the frame and the crossmember you can see that it mounts on an angle on both sides. Almost impossible to get in by going straight up, without spreading the frame.



Just start raise the transmission and put the member in higher than it is susposed to be the beat the F out of it.



Adam

 

[SRehberg]

I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate the info you just gave me! I am a newby at working on this thing, and have a lot to learn. A little while ago I was thinking of checking out what my comp insurance covered, there could have been an accidental fire! Thanks to for the tip on the cross member, as I am still fighting that F-- thing trying to get it all the way out. Dodge should have the design engineers work on one of their trucks, then things would probably be a lot more customer friendly! If I understand the cross member reinstall correctly, I put it in sideways up higher then pivot it into position, then beat the living bajeezuz out of it?!

I've been doing the banging thing already coming out, so I should be in good practice by then. The trans seems to support itself though, without anything under it, as it seems to balance on the engine mounts; I have a stand under the engine pan as insurance, but it doesn't seem to be needed.



P. s. Does the starter have to come out?



Thanks again,



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'96 auto with a cure in site

 

[BigYellowIron]

I cannot remember why but I remember the starter laying on the ground, maybe the cooler lines?



Just start the cross member tward the rear and high and slide it forward then beat it down, you may have to line one side up and put a bolt in it then do the other.



make sure the transmission is up as far as it will go, watch the engine fan and make sure it won't get into the radiator, I dunno if it will but it may.



To remove the cross, raise the transmission up and beat up and back it should come.



Can you see what I am talking about the angles that the cross is mounted on?



What TC are you installing you can e-mail that to me if you don't want to post,

I know how transmission threads go on here. :-{}



Check your e-mail



Good luck



Adam

 

[SRehberg]

Adam, thanks for the info, as tomorrow I'm going after it again. Everything hurts tonight! Yes, I see the angles, so I imagine the farther down you go, the tighter they get. I will follow your suggestions for the reinstallation, as the member is almost out (after much persuasion with a single jack and blocks of splintered wood).



I will probably get verbally stoned for the torque converter I chose, especially after the fire-fight that started over the triple lock by ATS. It was just to much money for me, so I drew the line where I felt I could afford one. I bought the BD 'X' converter with the double clutch setup, as it seemed to be able to handle lots of torque as well. My setup is stock, so I felt I will be well within its capability if I even kick the HP up a little down the road. The TDR article on the TC causing trans failures got me going on the change out. I just want this truck to live a long healthy life, so this was my stab towards that. I have a TransGo shift kit as well, so another no-no.



With all the faults this forum may have, it is still the number one spot for help and information in my book.



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'96 2wd auto, soon to be BD X converter

 

[BigYellowIron]

Nothing wrong with your choice at all!

BD is a good company as far as I can tell although I have never had direct dealings with them.



The main thing here is you, and that you are happy with what you spent your hard earned cash on.



Make sure you lube that converter snout with some grease, to make it easer on your seal.



Also make a note of how far the old converter is in the transmission, and be sure you get the new one in all the way before you try to bolt it up or you could damage your pump.



Just use your fingers and feel around it and make sure the new one feels the same, just something else to look at.



Adam

 

[rrausch]

By BigYellowIron: The main thing here is you, and that you are happy with what you spent your hard earned cash on.



Amen to that BYI!



SRehberg, another important thing is YOU ARE NOW HAVING FUN! Try to remember this as you re-install the cross-member! (LOL)



Which TC you install is much less important than how you feel about your choice. They are ALL GOOD, If you stick to the main 4. (BD, ATS, DTT or Goerend) And this is from an ATS guy!



By the way, I am 55, and I find if I do much banging around under my trucks or my tractor, if I take a couple of aspirin before I go to bed, I sleep and feel so much better. Thank God for modern Medicine!

 

[BigYellowIron]

Adam

 

[SRehberg]

Thanks for the encouraging words, as it seems like the opinions on trans parts are pretty strong in some circles. I hope this one (BD) will work out o. k. , but I must have the truck from hell.



I crawled back under it (albiet the body complaining-I'm 53) and removed the exhaust hangers, then went after the plate on the passenger side of the engine. The top bolt was tight, but it came out. The bottom one I broke my socket in half (Craftsman) and so I tried a 12pt wrench with a cheater. It started to round the bolt edges. I'm now going to Sears to get a 6pt socket to see if I can get a bite on the bolt enough to get it out. It it rounds out, man I'm in trouble. Someone must have put it down to a kajillion foot pounds. Is there any other way to loosen the torque converter bolts than this port? The only reason I ask, is when my transmission was rebuilt (10,000 mi ago), I paid for a new torque converter (stock) and the Dodge people did the work. What makes me suspect, is the factory paint was still undisturbed on these bolts that hold the plate to access the TC bolts. I can't imagine someone leaving the TC on the flex plate and trying to take the trans off and on.



I think I'm going to need a bottle of asprin along with some Valium when this is over!



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'96 2wd auto