Is my torque converter okay?

[Dave]

I blew out my differential yesterday. While attempting to figure out what happened I think some schrapnel very well could have gotten into the TC. Is there any way other than eyeballing it to make sure it's okay?

[turbovanman²]

No shrapnel will have made it in due to the filter and all the small orifices the fluid has to travel too before it goes to the converter. You might have fine metal particles but thats it. Are you running an external magnetic filter like I've told you guys before? saved my asss numerous times.

I am soooooooooo restraining myself here but TOLD YOU SO,

[Dave]

I actually was just doing a donut in the snow. As soon as I got into the gas it let loose.

I have the stock magnet that sits on the pan. Tell me more about this, Simon.

BTW I just about have the tranny out. I'll get some carnage pics of the diff here in a bit.

[turbovanman²]

You put a fuel filter looking device in the trans cooler lines, some come with a magnet and they catch all the other LITTLE bits that the filter miss's. They have saved my asss numerous times.

[Dave]

Oh okay, my dad's Acclaim has one.

[Dave]

Now this is where I get confused.

Here's the diff:
http://www.turbo-mopar.com/forums/ph...um/spyders.jpg

http://www.turbo-mopar.com/forums/ph...edium/diff.jpg

The input shaft and transfers look fine, btw. I did end up wiping out the driver's side axle, the boot was torn and I took it apart and saw this:

http://www.turbo-mopar.com/forums/ph...boken_axle.jpg

[Speedeuphoria]

looks great, whats that a 16yr old factory axle

[Dave]

Yah stock axle. I'm thinking if I may have just broke the axle I may have removed the trans for no reason. When I put it into gear I could hear it grind and chunk stuff around. Out of gear I think I remember not hearing anything. BUT, it would still roll in Park but it would grab occasionally. When in Neutral being towed I could hear it ground around once in motion.

Get it in the air, spin one tire, the other stood still, turn the wheel both tires turn like normal.

[turbovanman²]

Nothing wrong with your diff, you just pulled the trans for no reason,

Thats why you pull pans and inspect BEFORE you pull out the trans,

[WVRampage]

Wouldnt you have noticed the axle was broken when you took them out to pull the trans.....Just remember to always look at the easiest things first.

[BIG PSI]

My POOR GARAGE is mess once more----darn kid !!!!!

I swear he likes to polish my concrete floors.

After Bryan read Simon's post about pulling the tranny for NO reason, he wanted to put it back in. I said NO let's just build one NOW and be ready for Spring.

Chuck
aka
"The DAD"

[Dave]

Okay so can somebody explain why the van acted the way it did with JUST a broken passenger axle??? Why in Park would it still move? I understand why it would grab occassionally, but why could I roll it in Park??

I always thought the diff acts in this manner: If there's an unequal resistance on one side of it, it will send the power to the side seing the most resistance (traction).

Also, if I was turning left and the right side axle broke why the van continue to go in a left motion instead of jerking to the right? Would that be because I was in the snow and I had no traction.... I do think I may have hit a dry patch or possible ran into the grass, that could snap an axle real fast.

Oh well, lesson learned. I wouldn't say the trans needs redone. I just want to put in a RMVB that we have laying around, just needs a new upper cover, until I am ready to swap in a 5spd. We have a few 555's here and some P-body peddles.

[turbovanman²]

The reason it moves in park is it needs both front wheels to have resistance. Thats why if you have it in park, jackup the front wheel, the van will move UNLESS you chock one of the back wheels. If you had a locking diff, then you wouldn't be able to move it. Open diffs like ours put power to the wheel with the least resistance hence why you get stuck on slippery hills.

You might as well replace the clutches and add another one while its apart.

[Dave]

Meh, I don't like the idea of spending money in one spot once I'm going to spend money again in the same. I'd rather spend $50 for fluid and and a filter kit to swap out valve bodies than $300 to rebuild it. I'm very serious about puting a stick in it. Al (5sp. mini) will be helping me with it as he's done it to his already.

[Dave]

K, I'm just gonna buy a new axle, fluid, filter kit, and stick it all back together. Hope to have it running tomorrow night. Thanks for the help guys.

I feel like a dee-dee-dee now.