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.

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.