4R70W..Torque Converter..?

[chris kelvin]

Hey guys, i just got installed a rebuilt 4r70w in my 95 ford thunderbird 4.6l.. These tranny's like many of you know, have poorly designed torque converters, and you get tc shudder from the o/d in the 3-4 (od) shift at like 35/37mph. My question to you guys, is that why am i getting shudder ALREADY with a new, rebuilt trans..?

I asked the guys if they replaced the TC, ofcoarse they said yes...but honestly i think they bull*****ed me and just took the old TC and used it on the new tranny. For $1400 (the bill..yikes) aren't they supposed to put a new rebuilt tranny, ALONG with a rebuilt or new torque converter..? I bet they didn't even put merconV in it, and just used the regular mercon.

This get's me pissed off cause my old tranny did have the shudder from the tc, and now i get my car back with a totally differant 4r70w, rebuilt an all...and i get the same shudder..?

I do got a 1 year warranty (or 12k) so i'm covered..alittle. BUT, i'm just hoping they didn't use the old TC, would they do that KNOWING it might cause the tranny to foul up..and me bring it back..?

 

[NewEngPatsFan]

I had a 97 Cougar Sport and would get the same shudder when it was time for a fluid change. Make sure you use Mercon V, and you'll also have to change it every 30K miles. A quick-lube place put in the non synthetic Mercon, and it only lasted about 5K before the shudder came back. I replaced it with the Mercon V, and everything was OK.

 

[chris kelvin]

Thanks man, but do you think they changed the torque converter..?

Isnt it common practice for shops to replace the tc when they change a a tranny..? Hell the job was $1400...a tc, stock tc is like $130 i believe. That would suck if they lied and put a tranny with 0 miles on it, yet stuck in a TC with 134K miles.

 

[chris kelvin]

how much is a stock tc..? I'm guessing like $100-130..? Hopefully $1400 they said "hell let's put a new one in"...i hope.

 

[nyuk98gt]

chirs kelvin,

Don't assume anything. Depending on the integrity of the person doing the work, he may or may not have put a new converter in. Just depends on whether they wanted the 10% going in their pocket or your transmission.

Read "Transmissions 101" in the Tech Articles/Transmissions section of TCCoA.com. The 3-4 shudder is a fluid issue. Mercon V will take care of it, a "NewEngPatsFan" rightly said.

Good luck.

Chris

 

[GT-03]

Make sure you use Mercon V, and you'll also have to change it every 30K miles.

I had the "famous" stutter problem on my old '95 Mustang. For me, the fix was to replace the original Mercon III with Mercon V. Worked like a charm! The stutter was completely gone and never returned.

 

[TGJ]

If you are going to put a factory TC in that car, get the one from an 03 Marauder. You will need the flywheel as well. Those parts can be had for under $300.00 new if you know where to buy from.

Now I think it is very likely they re-used your old TC, however the first thing to do is reflush with Mercon V. What happened to the old transmission? What did they all do for $1400.00?

 

[chris kelvin]

Hey thanks guys. I spoke to them this morning and he assured me he installed a new converter. He said if he didn't, and left the old one with alot of mileage on it, it would almost gaurentee a come back. I told him about the shudder and he said they put in regular mercon 3 (i'm pissed) cause they didn't have mercon V on the shelf.

I gotta get mercV in there, along with a friction modifier. Other then that, the tranny shifts stronger for a stock 4r70w.

BTW, they said the clutch was completely worn (forward i believe) and many other components where just about at the end of there life. The tranny would rev need a rev to 5K before engagement...i first thought it was the mlps, but no..lol. All this comes from doing alot of burnouts, 1st to 2nd to D to OD shifts..lol. No more of that *****, that's why i'm saving up for a manual stang This baby is gonna be granny driven.

 

[TGJ]

Do not put friction modifier in that transmission.

 

[Dark Knight GT]

I agree with TGJ with saying "dont put friction modifier in the tranny". You're better off just having it flushed and putting Mercon V inside of it.

 

[chris kelvin]

Thanks for the tip on the not putting in the modifier..