Some simple and basic torque converter questions- - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

haasman · #1 09-01-2002, 07:02 PM

Some basic torque converter questions-

I understand basically what a torque converter does …. But what I do not understand is:

-Why do they wear out? Why?

-When they are repaired, what is replaced or rebuilt?

-How long does one last?

-How do you know you have a bad torque converter?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

I have been explaining basic principles of cars to the kids and I realized I didn't have adequate answers to the above.

Haasman

#2 09-01-2002, 10:39 PM

I guess it depends on the car you are referring to. Every trans made byt a different manufacturer has a different torque converter set-up. TCC - Torque Converter Clutch

If your car has "lock-up" the friction plate inside wears out usually due to low trans fluid, burnt trans fluid from poor maintence, or a sticking torque converter clutch apply solenoid in the transmission valve body which causes the plate inside the torque converter to slip burning it up.

Now if you don't have tcc lock-up, then there basically is nothing to wear out inside the torque converter, except maybe a roller clutch.

When they are rebuilt they are cut in half at the seam, cleaned, friction disc and the pressure plate are replaced, along with the roller clutch if it has one. Then welded back together and balanced.

Does that help at all?
The torque converter should last the life on the trans, and should not be reused, unless rebuilt, in the event of a catastrophic trans failure. IE: metal hard parts fried inside trans.

Torque converters mostly only cause problems with the TCC apply, which cause a small vibration. If the friction disc is shot, you will get a shudder on TCC apply, and on slight acceleration at highway speeds.

haasman · #3 09-01-2002, 10:43 PM

brandoncrone

Thanks! A good overview of them. I pressume my 124's and 201 doesn't have the lock-up feature?

#4 09-02-2002, 02:56 PM

The 90's cars you have may have lock-up, your 190 may not. The best way to tell is to get up to highway speed, on a level road holding the accelerator steady and slightly increasing the throttle. If your RPM guage moves up without the vehicle speeding up, you don't have lockup. If you lightly press the accelerator and the RPMs slowly climb with vehicle speed, then you do have lock-up.