How the heck do you get the TC to seat? HELP!

[JavaG66]

I can't get my torque converter to fully seat. I have giggled, wiggled, turned, and several combinations of those to include holding my tongue on the left & right, but no joy. I have done a search of the forum and read many posts; it all sounds so easy: turn, clunk, turn, clunk, turn, clunk. I can only get it in about an inch, and it still wiggles. The shaft of the TC has two opposing flat spots on the end, could they the hold up? This is the same TC that came out, so it ought to go back in. It's a '88 A4LD going behind a '86 2.9L. Any tips or advice is GREATLY appreciated!!

-Hal

 

[4x4RangerGuy]

Are the splines all clear of any debris? It should just pop right in.

 

[Taragon]

Try propping it up at a 45 degree angel, and supporting the nose with your finger (I recommend a rubber glove and some grease) for it to spin on, and spin it semi fast, stop, shake back and forth, and repeat...EVENTUALLY, you'll hear 3 clicks. Its in then...even if it still wiggles a little.

3 clicks.

 

[JavaG66]

Try propping it up at a 45 degree angel, and supporting the nose with your finger (I recommend a rubber glove and some grease) for it to spin on, and spin it semi fast, stop, shake back and forth, and repeat...EVENTUALLY, you'll hear 3 clicks. Its in then...even if it still wiggles a little.

3 clicks.

THANKS! That worked! Between the angle & the grease, it finally popped in. I didn't hear the third click, but I can hear the TC rubbing up against the back of the bell housing. Since the TC has been hanging half out for a few days, should I consider the front seal shot?
Thanks again!

 

[Tedybear]

Rubbing into the bell housing is the clear sign it's all the way in. Once installed, with the spacer plate between the bell housing and engine block? The Torque converter will be 'pulled' forward just a whisker amount...and it'll clear.

Have a care with the front seal...Yeah it comes out super easy with a seal puller...

Installing one dead straight on for a correct install can be a pain....as in..tap one side in slightly...try the other side and it'll pop out. They do make an actual seal installer tool that makes it a very simple job. Oh yeah..The new seal gets "Staked" into place in a couple of spots. You'll know what I mean if you look at the area surrounding the current seal. Should be 2 or 4 'cut' marks into the bell housing. I expect this was fords way of ensuring the seal didn't blow out under pressure.. (again..Ford has a special tool for that job as well...)

S-

 

[lucky14]

Slide the converter on the iniput shaft.. turn clockwise until the converter slips down slightly

Then turn the converter counterclockwise unitl is slips down again. Note you may have to turn more then 3 or 4 full rotations until the stator picks up the splines.

Then spin clockwise again and then it should be fully seated against the pump housing.


if you are still having trouble.... drain the trans. if its not dry already.. place some cardboard on the ground with some absorbant... have an assistant aide you in standing the trans. on its tailshaft and balence it there, then procede with the above steps.