I am getting tired of the rattling from my 1999 F250 2WD Auto Trans torque converter... I have 63,000 miles on the truck. I live on the Oregon coast and know there are no repair shops where I live. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has had this done and what the cost may be.

I would like a recommendation for a good Trans or repair shop in the Portland Or, Vancouver Wa, or Longview Wa area.

Doug

 

When my transmission went at 202,00 I asked a Snap On Dealer who would he take his mothers car to. He recomeneded a shop that rebuilt mine , they used a forged converter and a shift kit. Also a Mag tec pan. I just had the same shop service the trans at 303,000. They said see you at 400,000.

 

Are you just wanting to replace the torque converter, or go for a full rebuild on the trans? John Wood is on the west coast, maybe not right near you but he might be able to ship you something that you could have installed locally.

 

I dont think a complete rebuild at 63,000 miles is needed but I would like to get rid of the rattle by replacing the torque conveter.

Doug

 

Give John Wood a call and see what he's got to say. He's definately closer to you than some of the other builders. http://jwtt.com/

 

The rattling is annoying, but it doesn't impact performance or reliability. There's been several threads on the early 99 "rattling TC", and the noise is due to the shock absorbing springs in the TC clutch rattling when the TC clutch is disengaged so that the springs are not under a load.

I had my TC replaced for free under the TSB while mine was still under the 3 year/36 K mile warranty. The dealer also replaced the radiator with the newer 2001+ version that has the oil to water cooler, which really helps keep the tranny cool in stop a go traffic.

My advice is to get a manual TC lock up switch, and keep the TC locked manually, and you won't hear the rattle. If you do hear a rattle with the TC locked, then you've got a serious problem, and should get a complete rebuild.

 

Either get a BTS trans to fix it or get another TC. No sense in installing a good expensive unit into a trans after 65K

 

I have not heard of a TC lock up switch before... You just keep the TC locked all the time? Are there any problems with keeping it locked?

Thanks
Doug

 

You have to manually lock then unlock it when you are coming close to stopping or the Tc being locked will most likely stall the engine(I believe).

 

Jason, you are correct. If you leave the TC locked when coming to a stop, it will kill the truck. I've found this out first hand.

 

The TC is your "clutch". Keeping it locked would be like coming to a stop sign with a manual tranny and pressing the brake without the clutch. OOPS!!

 

I was wondering when I read that there is a way to test the TC by connecting to some plug and grounding a wire to lock the TC. Will the engine stall? I assume that you test this in park?

Doug

 

what it boils down to is you tap the wire for the tc loc sensor and ground it out to lock the tc when you want it to. to test this find the wire tap it and put a switch on it. when you think you have it start the truck and put it in drive then flip the switch to ON the truck will stall if you have the correct wire. if you do ths don't let the tc loc below 1200 rpm's bad for the tranny

 

Doug-
I got a new tow matrix (heavy duty)transmission and torque converter last christmas at the transmission exchange in portland oregon and had the transmission annex install it in one day for under $3300. They sell the parts separately and you might want to get your transmission now because it's good insurance and they will be working in that area and I'mnot sure of the difference in labor. I think labor was less then $600 for r andr transmission, torque converter, and trans cooler. When They go it goes fast. I lost mine at 150k and barely limped to Oregon from Washington as it got progressively worse. I'm very happy with the service of the two companies and havn't had a problem with the parts or labor Good Luck! http://www.txchange.com/towmtrix.htm