Replacement cost for a '95 E420 torque converter

The shop listed the torque converter as a possible suspect for a vibration - they will do the actual diagnosis this Wednesday.

In the meantime, I'm just curious what how much rebuilt torque converter usually goes for? Can they be fixed - if so, are they expensive to repair?

The transmission was replaced about a year ago along with flex disc, motor mounts & tranmission mount. That was expensive - $4500 at the dealer.

This is in relation to my original post: '95 E420 - Vibrations in Steering Wheel at Idle

[md21722]

Rebuilts are available for $900-1100 for 722.3 trannys from dealer if I remember right.

[md21722]

When did you notice this vibration in relation to your tranny work? Bolts connect the torque converter to the damping plate of the flywheel , maybe its related.

The vibration started about 2 or 3 months before the transmission was replaced and has remained ever since. The tranmission was replaced last November. Thus far the tech speculated:

Torque Converter
Harmonic Balancer
Hydrallic Adjusters (???)
Fuel pump (tech admitted he was really reaching on this one)

The car is going back Wednesday for the actual diagnosis; the above suggestions was just the tech thinking out loud after I asked him for his first impressions.

The tech thinks it a rotating item causing the vibration (ie not an ignition or fuel delivery problem). To make a long story short; we've gone through the fuel system and electric system. This post covers the vibration history:
'95 E420 - Vibrations in Steering Wheel at Idle

Coming back to the vibration; it is felt whether car is in drive or nuetral (at idle) or in park/reverse. While driving the car - acceleration and cruising is very smooth. No misfires, hesitation, etc.

The vibration occurs after the car has been stopped for a couple seconds - for example - coming to a red light, car stops, tach decreases to +/- 550 RPMs, in about 2 to 4 seconds it settles to 500 RPMs (its usual home) and the vibration begins. It easily felt in the steering wheel, seats and can be heard if stereo and vents are off. The engine mounts and transmission mount have already been replaced along with the flex-disc.

The vibration can also be felt in nuetral and park, but you have really be tuned in to hear it - it's about 50 to 75% less noticeable compared to when the car is in gear (the tech picked up on after a couple of minutes). Also, at around 1200 RPMs (when in nuetral or park), the car gets a slight shake.

In the last 3 months: 90k service done, caps, rotors, wiring harness, fuel filter, pressure test, ignition test (scoped the ignition), fuel injectors rebuilt (serviced, cleaned, new o-rings, cups, seals, spray test & PSI test), crank sensor replaced, air temp sensor replaced, viscous fan replaced, aux fan relay and some other filters. Not all of these items were replaced in relation to the vibration - had a cooling issue & cold start problem.

Sorry to run on for so long, but it is almost inevitable that somebody will ask why the torque converter needs replacing

[savagetom]

Have the engine mounts been checked?

Yes, as noted above, the engine mounts and transmission mount were replaced at the same time as the transmission.

[md21722]

Have you ever heard the story of the new car bought from dealer with the vibration? Dealer replaced axles, then driveshaft, then tranny,then engine - over the course of 6 months. Then the car had no vibrations. Then the owner sold it because he was worn out over the car. Just something to keep in mind! (and keep in mind - his car was under warranty, yours is not!)

The vibration is easily noticed and wasn't present 15k miles earlier. Something is clearly amiss and well above the "that's weird, oh well threshold". Additionally, it has progressed from intermittant to continuous. Once I know what is failing and the associated risks - then I can make an informed decision whether to proceed or cut my losses.

One small victory! Turns out this was part of the transmission replacement, so it's still under MBZ warranty. The indy shop did their diagnosis and feel confident the torque converter is the cause. Looking through the grates of the bell-housing, they could see the torque converter wobbling.

Next, stopped by the dealer this evening and presented my case and all their paperwork. At first they claimed they didn't replace the torque converter. I said it had been replaced and was told at the time that the entire transmission needed be replaced. After looking at the paperwork they set-up an appointment and scheduled a loaner car for tomorrow morning. What ticks me off about the dealer is that they couldn't say, "oh, you're right - my mistake, I'm sorry." Instead the advisor set an appointment and arranged a loaner. In addition to the original paperwork I had the follow up invoices showing I came back twice (originally picked up the car on Friday and then came back the following Monday morning) complaining about the vibration. They charged me both times - errrggghhhh...

After setting the appointment they showed me a torque converter from the same model (had another E getting its tranmission replaced in the shop). They are guessing either the balancing weight came off the housing (a little lead weight soldered to the outside) or its shaft is bent. I tend to think it's the shaft since since the vibration was immediate from the first day I picked up the car (or maybe it's missing its weight from the time it was installed).

It goes in tomorrow morning and god-willing, this will be resolved by the end of the week. Keep you fingers crossed.