TC replacement advice needed

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Fri Mar 19, 2010 1:56 pm

I called the biggest, most reputable transmission shop in the area today. He was very familiar with the 545RFE tranny. I told him about the issues with the KJ CRD torque converters, and how Jeep has an updated part number now, etc. etc.

He said that he gets "aftermarket" TCs to use and not factory replacements. He will fix my tranny pump, install a new TC, and give me a 6-month warranty for around $700 (labor + parts). This seems like a great deal.

Question is...if it's an aftermarket TC could I end up with shudder again? I assume that if he is replacing a TC because of shudder, then he understands that a crappy replacement is going to cost him money....but what would YOU do?? This is a cheaper fix than if I bought Mopar parts and tried to do it myself.

BVCRD · **Posted:** Fri Mar 19, 2010 1:59 pm

get any warranty from him n writing.

dthdcrd · **Posted:** Sat Mar 20, 2010 9:40 am

How is that cheaper than doing it yourself? $700.00 labor plus parts. I thought the new Euro converter was in the low $200.00 range.. I am not sure about the cost of a new pump, but it still looks like you would be way ahead doing it on your own.

If anyone knows from experience, what are the part numbers for the new pump and converter? This way you can look them up and compare.

racertracer · **Posted:** Sat Mar 20, 2010 10:20 am

Many have tried aftermarket TC prior to the Euro TC coming on the market ending with bad results. From what I read the Torq on the CRD is too powerful for some of the standard TC. Suncoast converters in Florida worked all the bugs out of them and developed a good TC for 700 dollars. Go with the Euro ... why risk redoing the work.

Your choice.

mikey1273 · **Posted:** Sat Mar 20, 2010 10:41 am

would the guy install the new euro converter for you and garantee his work? doesn't the euro TC come with some warrantee as well that would have you covered?

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Sat Mar 20, 2010 1:24 pm

LibertyCRD,

What makes you think you have a pump problem? Many people have thought they had a pump problem because of shudder, but really it was just the TC.

I would strongly suggest ONLY the "euro" TC (now the OEM replacement for the CRD) and ONLY do pump work if, on removal of the trans, you find clear signs of leakage. If it is leaking, then you may need to replace the pump because the seal for the early style pump is no longer available. (No leak, just replace the TC.)

DOC

BVCRD · **Posted:** Sat Mar 20, 2010 1:34 pm

^Exactly. You probably only need the pump IF and only IF the TC is trashed and ejected filings into the pump. Listen for the rattle while in Park for fins loose.

fastRob · **Posted:** Sun Mar 21, 2010 7:56 am

I did the suncoast, pump, shift kit and transmission cooler with thermal bypass.
My logic was to do it once, do it right and then get the GDE tune.
My son and I pulled the tranny and brought it to the shop.
The tranny guy asked me to call the shift kit people about the springs in the pump. We changed the new pump springs out as well.
50K miles without transmission problems.
I would get the updated tc from Chrysler and save $500. Get the shift kit, pump and if questions about pieces replace the radiator. You can never completely flush out a radiator. Remember my advise is worth what you paid for it.
It is your dime and time.

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Sun Mar 21, 2010 4:02 pm

Well a Euro TC and pump is going for somewhere in the neighborhood of $575. Then I have to spend an entire weekend trying to do the work.

This guy says that he'll do the TC and fix the pump and cover the labor for around $725. Seems like a darn good deal to me and is VERY worth it.

Question originally was....should I trust his aftermarket TC? Or should I definitely get the Mopar TC? I think I am now leaning toward the Mopar TC because I know it's trusted. My Jeep is going downhill pretty quick now with the GDE tune and I'm probably going to be ordering the TC this week. I hoped to wait a year or so...but looks like it's not going to happen.

Drewd · **Joined:** Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:24 pm **Posts:** 902

The answer is:

Do not trust his torque convertor unless it is the Euro torque convertor (OEM replacement) or a Suncoast. Anything else won't be able to handle the low end torque of our libbies. Don't let him convince you that an upgraded gasser torque convertor can do the job, it can't.

litton · **Posted:** Sun Mar 21, 2010 7:15 pm

besides, he is only giving a 6 month warrenty is not enough to take a chance on a rebuilt TC. Just have him price it out with the OEM TC and you know how much it the TC should be so he would have a problem marking it up over retail.

cerich · **Posted:** Sun Mar 21, 2010 7:23 pm

Drewd wrote:

The answer is:

Do not trust his torque convertor unless it is the Euro torque convertor (OEM replacement) or a Suncoast. Anything else won't be able to handle the low end torque of our libbies. Don't let him convince you that an upgraded gasser torque convertor can do the job, it can't.

ask him what he is charging you for his TC, then subtract that amount, supply him the euro TC and another $50 and issue over.

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Sun Mar 21, 2010 7:54 pm

Yeah I think that's what I'm going to do. I'll buy my own TC, then take it out to the shop and let them do it for me. I just don't feel like spending a weekend under this Jeep. That's not nearly as fun as swapping in new gears and lockers.

Now I'm wondering...if I order the TC from moparpartsamerica.com....how many days (or weeks) are we looking at before I get it?

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Sat Jun 26, 2010 1:18 pm

Well I ordered a "Euro" TC from moparpartsamerica.com...and it showed up about a week or two later. I had a local AAMCO install the TC for me, along with two new filters.

I'm running the HOT tune and non-F37 TCM. I've got a few thousand miles on the Euro TC now, and I'm happy to report NO shudder whatsoever. I've towed a trailer weighing over 6,000 lbs. twice, I've driven in hot weather, mountains and flatland, offroad, etc. Whatever I throw at it...the Euro TC gobbles it up with no hint of shudder whatsoever. So far so good! This thing made a TON of difference in my Jeep!

:BANANA:

flman · **Posted:** Sat Jun 26, 2010 2:05 pm

LibertyCRD wrote:

Well I ordered a "Euro" TC from moparpartsamerica.com...and it showed up about a week or two later. I had a local AAMCO install the TC for me, along with two new filters.

I'm running the HOT tune and non-F37 TCM. I've got a few thousand miles on the Euro TC now, and I'm happy to report NO shudder whatsoever. I've towed a trailer weighing over 6,000 lbs. twice, I've driven in hot weather, mountains and flatland, offroad, etc. Whatever I throw at it...the Euro TC gobbles it up with no hint of shudder whatsoever. So far so good! This thing made a TON of difference in my Jeep!

:BANANA:

What did AAMCO charge for the job?

TC replacement advice needed

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