What Are Torque Converter Bolts Used For?

A torque converter is a must-have for an automatic transmission vehicle. And installation is not complete without the proper use of torque converter bolts. 

These bolts are designed to hold your torque converter and the flexplate in place. A poor installation results in strange knocking noises coming from the bolts and revolving around the load. 

Why are these bolts important? And how do you know if your bolts are loose? Let’s take a closer look to find the answer to each of these questions.

How Do You Install Torque Converter Bolts?

The torque converter acts as a link between the power source and the load. The flexplate connects its input to the engine crankshaft. The flexplate turns when the engine runs. As a result, the torque converter also turns, making the hydraulic pump power up. 

Here is a quick guide on installing torque converter bolts.

1. Clasp the bolt horizontally with the bolt holes facing downwards against the ground.
2. The torque converter pads should be flat for proper fitting and contact with the flex plate. Dress the pads with a file in case they are not flat. 
3. Place the flexplate on the crankshaft with the help of the crank bolts thread locker. 
4. Turn the torque converter vertically when you are ready to fit the input shaft. The bolt holes should be facing your direction. 
5. Slowly push and rotate the bolt from side to side. 
6. Continue pushing until you reach the third click sound. This will be the final sound, and at this point, the torque converter will be properly seated. 

The recommended torque for this type of bolt is 45 ft/ lb. Incorrect installation of the bolts would lead to improper seating of the torque converter, resulting in fluid pump failure.

What Are the Symptoms of a Loose Bolt?

Most of the time, people confuse a faulty torque converter with problems resulting from the transmission. Due to this, you might spend your resources working on the transmission, while the problem might be the torque converter. Signs to look out for a loose bolt include:

High Levels Of Slippage
When the bolts are loose, the torque converter fails to function properly. It will fail to properly regulate fluid, making it take more or less than is required. This leads to low acceleration due to slipping gears.

Rattling Sound

Depending on the manufacturer's guidelines, the bolts are supposed to be torqued in a crisscross pattern. A knocking sound in a moving vehicle may be a problem.  Loose torque converter bolts will accelerate the sound when the transmission gears are interconnected. The rattling sound can also result from a crack between the bolt holes.

Gear Shift
A loose bolt lowers the vehicle's pressure output. For this reason, the gear shift tends to feel soft or delayed. This can be solved by raising the engine RPM to increase the output pressure of the torque converter.

Inconsistent Vehicle Speed
If your bolts are loose, you may experience sudden and inconsistent vehicle speed changes. When this happens, the fluid pressure becomes unsteady, making the throttle break down. Inconsistent speeds may also affect the fuel efficiency of your vehicle, so it’s important to get it checked out.

Shuddering
A shuddering vehicle might be due to problems with the torque converter. The vehicle appears to be vibrating even when not being driven at a higher speed. The feeling is very noticeable, sudden, and usually not consistent.

Let Big Bolt Be Your Solution

Getting the right fastener is the first step to guaranteeing success in your next project. Quality bolts are not hard to find when you're working with a company like Big Bolt.  We take pride in supplying a wide variety of fasteners for your needs. Additionally, if we don't have one, we'll manufacture it immediately for you with a quick turnaround time of up to 24 hours.   

Contact us today to get a quote for your next project.