Tranny Gurus - Explain This Statement

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Jan 4, 2012 | 05:51 PM

aerocolorado

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Tranny Gurus - Explain This Statement

quotation taken from transmission repair/parts site: "Warning: Never pull the transmission up to the engine with the bolts!!!
The transmission will be flush to the engine and the converter will NOT be tight to the flywheel if you installed it properly. There is NO warranty on converter hub damage or pump damage. "

I understand the not pulling with the bolts but how can the torque converter NOT be tight against the flexplate if the nuts are torqued to specs? Mine sure seems tight to the flexplate. Am I missing something here?

Jan 4, 2012 | 08:16 PM

Mark Kovalsky

Frmr Ford Trans Engr

Joined: Aug 1999

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From: SE Florida

What they mean is that the torque converter should not be tight to the flex plate before the nuts pull it to the flex plate. If you install the trans and the torque converter is pushing up to the flex plate it isn't fully seated. If you find it in this condition you usually have already damaged the torque converter hub, and sometimes the pump, too.

Jan 5, 2012 | 01:21 AM

xlt4wd90

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From: SoCal

My experience is with an A4LD. The torque converter has 4 discrete steps of fitting onto the input shafts. When it is seated properly, its back just rubs on the bell housing. When installing it onto the engine, it's not always easy to line up the transmission exactly; you have to have the correct height, roll, pitch and yaw angles relative to the engine. Once I get the transmission lined up right, I can usually use my fingers to squeeze it flush against the engine. This is my preference, as then I can be sure that I did not have to exert heavy forces on the bolts to draw the transmission against the engine.