Torque Converter Housing: Disassembly

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Mariner and 2006 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Remove and discard the cooler tube fitting.

Fig 1: Identifying Cooler Tube Fitting
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the final drive ring gear retaining ring.

Fig 2: Locating Final Drive Ring Gear Retaining Ring
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the final drive ring gear.

Fig 3: Locating Final Drive Ring Gear
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Inspect the final drive ring gear, housing lug teeth and final drive ring gear teeth for damage or wear.

Fig 4: Locating Final Drive Ring Gear Teeth
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the differential lube tube bolt.

Fig 5: Locating Differential Lube Tube Bolt
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Pull the differential lube tube from the housing.

Fig 6: Locating Differential Lube Tube In Torque Converter Housing
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

WARNING: When using compressed air, never let air pressure exceed 172 kPa (25 psi) and always wear safety glasses. Compressed air may cause foreign material or parts to become airborne. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

NOTE: Clean all components with a suitable solvent and use moisture-free compressed air to dry all parts and clean fluid passages.

Inspect the converter housing for:
- stator support area wear.
- case mating surfaces for nicks or deformation.
- differential bushing wear.
Check the converter housing hydraulic passages for blockage.
1. Differential lubrication passage
2. Front lubrication passage
3. Converter turbine passage
4. Converter impeller passage
5. Cooler passage
  
  Fig 7: Identifying Converter Housing Hydraulic Passages
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Check for blockage at the converter seal return hole.

Fig 8: Locating Converter Seal Return Hole
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.