Destroyed Flex Plate /Ring Gear on GU auto

[Nixon]

Hi - travelling on highway felt bang, shudder. Pulled up thinking blow out. Tyres good, engine restarted but not engaging. Short story - trucked back to mechanic , auto trans pulled out and wow looks like someone has thrown in a grenade. Will try to attach photo of ring gear/flex plate. The convertors nozzle that fits into the centre hole is also mangled. Am told that a new torque convertor could cost up to $3k. Mine has been sent to a company that reconditions them. They claim that this is not a rare occurence. Not an expense that I am looking forward to. Does anyone have any idea what would cause this or how it could be avoided? Only done 167,000 km.

[NissanGQ4.2]

Ouch :(

Sorry can't help you on why or how it can be avoided. I'm sure a good auto transmission specialist, would be able 2 answer you question if know body on here can.
Out of curiosity what company did you sent the gearbox 2?

Cheers

Todd

[97_gq_lwb]

I have seen similar things caused by dodgy engine conversion adaptor plates .
be worth checking everything lines up perfectly surely they will balance and true the torque converter when they repair it.

[Nixon]

Sure Todd, I will post when I catch up with the local mechanic over the next couple of days. The Company is in Adelaide. My mechanical knowledge is terrible - is the torqe covertor the gearbox or is it only one component of it ? The componet they showed me looked like 1/2 of a very big football with a very damaged knob on the end of it. Cheers

[Nixon]

Hope so. I have no idea when it comes to things under the bonnet. Great question to ask them when I next call around and see how they are going. I have had this vehicle since new so no one should have played with it.

[nissannewby]

it goes between engine and g/box it allows to to stop the car etc without having to take it out gear trying to explain it as simple as i can

[BearGUST]

The torque convertor is only a component of the transmission, equivalent to a clutch on a vehicle with a manual tranmission.
As stated before, the failure could have been caused by imbalance, something out of alignment, incorrect torque (too loose or too tight) or even just a weak flex plate. They do put up with a lot of stress and vibrations, especially diesels!
Reconditioned torque convertor is the way to go, new is definitely not worth the extra expense.

[Nixon]

Thanks Buddy - thats why I joined this site- I am learning and you put it beautifully - simple is me with this stuff.

[Nixon]

Thanks for the info - when I go to see how the car is going they are going to be wondering where I got all this knowlege from .

[twisty]

Am told that a new torque convertor could cost up to $3k.

:jawdrop:YOU ARE KIDDIN' no, no, no. That money should just about get you an exchange recon box and TC. I'm doing it right now after my auto died recently.

[NissanGQ4.2]

I agree with Twisty re price, and I would only go a reconditioned one.... not sure what the difference between the GU and GQ torque convertor is but the cost for my GQ reco TC was just under $400 exchange.

If your gearbox hasn't been sent anywhere yet I would be taking it to Wholesale Automatic Transmissions (http://www.automatictransmission.com.au/contact.asp) in VIC, they were a big help when I had to rebuild my GQ Auto box and they seem to know there stuff

Cheers

Todd

[twisty]

I would be taking it to Wholesale Automatic Transmissions (http://www.automatictransmission.com.au/contact.asp) in VIC,

x2 ... give 'em a call and ask some questions.

[04OFF]

That damage could have been caused by Converter "ballooning", basicly, this is when the Torque Converter can expand too much under load, the constant expansion and contracting over time, can lead to fractures on the flex plate, the end result (and the first you know about it) is this sort of catastrophic faliure, Crankshaft Thrust Bearings can also be damaged by the same problem.

And as the others suggest, best advice will be from "Auto" experts, not just mechanics :smiley_thumbs_up:

[Nixon]

You are all on the money. The TC has been sent to auto trans specialist in Adelaide to machine damaged knob on the end that fits into flex plate. Currently awaiting new flex plate to be sent to him in order to size correctly. Trans has stayed in workshop assuming that is ok. Hopefully costs will be limited to the new flex plate and remachining end of TC.

[Nixon]

Hi Todd, The company that is looking at my Torque Convertor is All State Auto Transmissions in Adelaide. Looks as if they will only be remachining the knob that fits into the new flex plate ; so hopefully the $$ damage wont be as first thought. (fingers crossed)

[NissanGQ4.2]

Keep as posted on the outcome

Cheers

Todd