A Theory on TC Bearing failure in relation to Flexplate Clamp
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
A Theory on TC Bearing failure in relation to Flexplate Clamp
Dear All, (1985, 5.0L, 32v, USA, Auto)
Just recently I had to replace my torque converter bearings because the outer bearing (the one closet to the motor) in the TC cover had failed. When I released the clamp bolt for the TT flange at the motor side I got about about 3 or so mm of movement. Hmm a tad more than I would have hoped, but no biggie.
So as I was trying to get the large circlip off of the shaft of the TC carrier bellhouseing I had a possible epiphany. My conjecture is this: could the problem of TBF and TT bearing failure and TC bearing failure be related because they all have one thing in common; lateral driveshaft movement.
I am not so much inclined to apply this thought to the TT bearings because I think that those are not absolutely secured in the TT. I am thinking of the application of the idea to the TC carrier bearings, and in paticular the frontmost bearing (i.e closet to the motor)mainly because it is contained by circlips (see PET scan of TC cover).
I was just thinking it we checked for flexplate movement more often say every oil change, could we extend the life of all associated bearings between the motor flexplate and the TC flexplate?
Opinions sought please. Take care and thanks.
~J
P.S. I just got this car in Dec. and have a grand total of 49 miles on (all within the past week)
Just recently I had to replace my torque converter bearings because the outer bearing (the one closet to the motor) in the TC cover had failed. When I released the clamp bolt for the TT flange at the motor side I got about about 3 or so mm of movement. Hmm a tad more than I would have hoped, but no biggie.
So as I was trying to get the large circlip off of the shaft of the TC carrier bellhouseing I had a possible epiphany. My conjecture is this: could the problem of TBF and TT bearing failure and TC bearing failure be related because they all have one thing in common; lateral driveshaft movement.
I am not so much inclined to apply this thought to the TT bearings because I think that those are not absolutely secured in the TT. I am thinking of the application of the idea to the TC carrier bearings, and in paticular the frontmost bearing (i.e closet to the motor)mainly because it is contained by circlips (see PET scan of TC cover).
I was just thinking it we checked for flexplate movement more often say every oil change, could we extend the life of all associated bearings between the motor flexplate and the TC flexplate?
Opinions sought please. Take care and thanks.
~J
P.S. I just got this car in Dec. and have a grand total of 49 miles on (all within the past week)
#2
This has been discussed before.
Our research found front flexplate movement, actually tension, within a few hundred miles of releasing it. So this would mean if you release the pressure at an oil change and then release it again at the next oil change (and everyone religously changes their oil every 3000 miles, right?) then one would potentially have driven 2800 miles with tension in their driveline. Of course this depends on driving styles and other factors. By the way, using a new pinch bolt with a higher torque rating was also found to not work in stopping this tension from occuring in our tests.
Welcome to the club and have fun with your new ride!
Constantine
Our research found front flexplate movement, actually tension, within a few hundred miles of releasing it. So this would mean if you release the pressure at an oil change and then release it again at the next oil change (and everyone religously changes their oil every 3000 miles, right?) then one would potentially have driven 2800 miles with tension in their driveline. Of course this depends on driving styles and other factors. By the way, using a new pinch bolt with a higher torque rating was also found to not work in stopping this tension from occuring in our tests.
Welcome to the club and have fun with your new ride!
Constantine