I am tired of my torque converter rattle at idle. What does the book call for in labor hours to install a new torque converter and how much should I pay for a new stock converter? I would like to use a national tranny shop or Ford dealer since I travel all over the USA and it would be nice to have a national warranty.

Thanks,
Justin

 

Sounds like that makes since but the "stealerships" are going to be expensive. Sorry I can't help with the price. Someone will be along shortly with the amswer

 

Thanks, I understand your thoughts about dealerships. I was under the same opinion until I checked the labor rates for a dealer verses an independent garage.
In this area dealer labor rates are $95.00 per hour and local shops charge $75.00 to $85.00 per hour. Dosen't make much sense to use a local shop for a 3-4 hour job and save $30.00 to $80.00 especially when you consider the national warranty and training of the techs.

 

"training of the techs"....thats funny!!! This is not always true but many dealers employ part replacers not techs. there is usually one or two good mechanics then the rest are just told what to replace. any way from growing up in a private/independant shop you will get better service everyday of the week. At my dad's shop if we don't fix car we don't eat. We can't afford to do bad work. it will put us out of business and he has been in business for nearly 20 years. Most small shops are the same way. My dads shop is also a Napa Service Center which uses a nation wide warrantee system. So give that local shop a chance. Go in and ask them about certifications, warrantees, and where they get their parts. You will be suprised.

Any way to be able to guess at a price we need to know if your truck is 2wd or 4wd.

 

Sorry the truck is a two wheel drive.

 

i replaced mine myself with a new stock converter. It had a three year warranty or 50,000 miles, and it cost me about 250 bucks, and about 4 hours to do it myself.

 

If you are just going to get a stock converter, the super duty 4R100 TC is much better than the E4OD.

 

Thanks, where would one find information on the 4R100 you recommend?

 

That was fast. 4 hours. I probably spent 10 hours just putting it back together.
Well, that was my first time. And I hope my only time

 

doing a 2wd tranny is much easier than the 4wd model. so 4-6 hours to do the TC

 

Even for a 4wd, if you have done a few, 6 hours is still a long time. I must admit though, I do have a lift, air tools, and have changed out a few tq and trannies in my time...

 

I would be inclined to rebuild the tranny while I have everything out. I can already see the scenario developing. You pull tranny to do torque converter, replace that, put tranny back into place, and 20,000 later the tranny goes out. I say save yourself some headaches and do it all at once.

 

I'm not sure if dealers still charge by the book, but I would not have it done there. I have pulled many e4od's and 4r100's, and worse case scenerio is an hour out and an hour in, less for a 2wd. Around here shop rate is usually in the $50/hr. range. I would not replace with a bone stock tc as that is one of the weak points of the e4od's. Even if you went one step up from stock, that would be better. You can spend from $150 up to $1300 for a tc. One more thing, when/if you have the tranny pulled make sure that they flush the tranny cooler.

 

Thanks for the imformation, really helpful. You are fassssssst and cheap! You need to move to Charleston, SC. We are slooooow and pricey! $75/85 hr. for a local shop who will put three of his best Men on it! Thanks again, now i know how long it should take to R&R.

 

Here in the midwest we can't afford to charge more than that or we will lose customers to other shops. If you where to go to Chicago or Madison I'm sure they would charge that much.