Transmission Failure

mcnaughb · **Posted:** Fri Jan 15, 2010 8:31 pm

My stock tourque converter has failed on my 2006 and I have taken it into a local transmission place for diagnosis. He thinks that I should just rebuild the transmission completely and replace the tc with an aftermarket heavy duty tc. His justification for the tranny rebuild is that it has scorched clutches. I find it difficult to believe that it needs a rebuild with only 38000 miles.

His estimate is $3200 for the transmission rebuild +$800 for the heavy duty tc.

Any thoughts? Is he screwing me?

Thanks.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Fri Jan 15, 2010 8:39 pm

Torque converter fails were the reason for the F37 and even that was a temporary solution
That's why Suncoast sold a lot of torque converters
although the new 'standard' which is the European torque converter sounds very promising.

The clutch issue sounds different - I don't think anyone else has had clutch problems
I'd wonder how he diagnosed that.

mcnaughb · **Posted:** Fri Jan 15, 2010 8:42 pm

He says they looked "scorched". I've never heard of clutch problems on these either. It thought it was odd.

Is his estimate out of line for TC replacement?

MrMopar64 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 15, 2010 8:46 pm

In my honest engineering opinion, I think the "new" replacement converter (same as European application) is much better suited than other aftermarket offerings. Additionally, it's about 1/4 the price.

mcnaughb · **Posted:** Fri Jan 15, 2010 9:11 pm

Any thoughts on the transmission rebuild?

He is not 100% sure it needs it, but he says he did a gas one earlier this year and after they relaced the tc, they needed to rebuild the transmission anyway. His only indicator other than that is the look of the clutches.

geordi · **Posted:** Fri Jan 15, 2010 9:16 pm

Add to that, you can pick up a used 545RFE in good condition for about $600 or so, depending on the shop. He's trying to make his next trip to Hawaii off you.

Unless your transmission has been running without any fluid, I can't believe that you trashed the clutches in half the mileage I've put on my CRD, and I use mine for towing BUILDINGS worth of weight. 7,000 lbs of trailer behind a 4500 lb Jeep is a LOT of weight to push with that transmission. And mine is just fine, thanks.

I would RUN and get another opinion, fast.

racertracer · **Posted:** Fri Jan 15, 2010 10:16 pm

My suggestion is to take it to another transmission shop.

I had the new Euro TC and pump installed and the shop charged me $600 and told me that the old converter was scorched ..... AAmco wanted $3200 and said that they whole transmission needed to be rebuilt.

All is well here and the cost was reasonable.

805gregg · **Posted:** Fri Jan 15, 2010 10:50 pm

I have 83,000 on that same transmission in my '06. I wouldn't think you would need a rebuild at 38,000. My last Dodge (2001) has 240,000 miles on the original transmission, and it's used in construction, hauling lumber and trash in a 10,000 lb dump trailer.

TennesseeCRD · **Joined:** Mon Jan 11, 2010 11:01 am **Posts:** 181

Do the trany shops (or the diy guy) is it easier to drop the trany or pull the engine for just a tc swap?

RTStabler51 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 1:52 am

How does he know the clutches are bad? does he have the tranny out and apart?

mcnaughb · **Posted:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 2:50 am

I doubt he has the tranny apart. Can you see the clutches by taking the pan off? He says they are scorched.

Glend · **Posted:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 6:55 am

The clutch pack sits on the input shaft behind the oil pump - it cannot be seen, or disassembled unless the tranny has been removed from the vehicle.

FYI, here is a link to the 545RFE Service Manual:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/7095618/545rf ... ion-Manual

linewarbr · **Posted:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 10:06 am

Glend wrote:

The clutch pack sits on the input shaft behind the oil pump - it cannot be seen, or disassembled unless the tranny has been removed from the vehicle.

FYI, here is a link to the 545RFE Service Manual:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/7095618/545rf ... ion-Manual

I think that answers your question on whether or not to take it to another shop. That guy is trying to hose you.

chrispitude · **Posted:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 4:24 pm

MrMopar64 wrote:

In my honest engineering opinion, I think the "new" replacement converter (same as European application) is much better suited than other aftermarket offerings. Additionally, it's about 1/4 the price.

Price aside, can you elaborate on your reasoning? I liked the lower stall of the Suncoast.

- Chris

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 6:39 pm

Chris,

I think the main reason is that Suncoast units frequently have shudder problems with higher power outputs. Your profile lists IM. Do you have their SII and if so, how's your Suncoast towing a trailer on an uphill grade when the TC tries to lock at 55-56 MPH?

DOC

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Sun Jan 17, 2010 6:43 pm

Suncoast Vs Euro.

Suncoast Aluminum Stator

Euro Plastic Stator

Plastic gets too hot, it goes limp and self destructs.

If the Aluminum gets too hot the ATF4 is fried already, if not on fire.

If anyone at Chrysler would tell us what plastic the stator is made from, we could make a more intelligent decision.

Some facts: UHMW is OK up to 170 f, ABS up to 176 F, where Teflon up to 392 f.

ATF does go over 180 f and sometimes over 220 f in typical use. Use a big enough oil cooler and or extra deep aluminum alloy pan (like my Extra Deep PML), you may get by. Since the Torque Converter generates heat when it is not locked up, plastic with a go limp temp below the operational temperature of the Transmission is a CRAP SHOT to say the least.

If the Euro Stator is made from UHMW or ABS, for me, forget it.

Teflon, for me, maybe.

05infernoCRDL · **Posted:** Sun Jan 17, 2010 9:02 pm

my trans went at 56k... there were bits in the pan... should have kept the clutches but they were scorched and a few of em were cupped.. there are some bad transmissions out there...

grywlfbg · **Posted:** Mon Jan 18, 2010 10:32 pm

I recently upgraded to the Euro TC and updated pump. I also installed a PML pan at the same time. All of my tranny problems (shudder, stalling when cold at idle, not going into gear when cold, etc) have gone away. My feeling is that I've been towing for 80k miles w/ the stock components and pan and never "melted" a stator. The newer one should run even cooler.

Also, my assumption (and it may be wrong) is that the "Euro" TC has been used in 545RFE's in quite warm places like Australia.

The Euro TC is $200. Much better deal than $800. Will cover the cost of the PML pan w/ money to spare.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Tue Jan 19, 2010 12:43 am

I just went with the Euro TC and a used transmission. $860 for the used trans, $220 for the Euro TC, plus fluids etc.

IMO there are plenty of used trannies out there for sale, just pick up a used trans and a new torque converter and throw em in, took me about 1.5 days to do the job.

Transmission Failure

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