Torque converter - replace or let it be?

[Geotrash]

As some of you may be aware, I’m on a mission to make our 2012 Yukon xl Denali a reliable towing rig for the long haul. Next on my list of obsessions is the transmission - specifically the torque converter since they have a tendency to let loose and take the transmission with them (6L80). We have about 8k towing miles planned with a 6500 lb camper behind it this year - much of it in the mountains. With 118k on the clock is this something worth being proactive about and upgrading, or let it ride for another year or more? Any betting people out there?


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[ls1frc]

Had no idea they had that tendency to let loose, glad I did mine then. I put the ZL1 in because I was there not because I was worried.

With that being said, it looks pretty easy to yank the trans out of these things. Certainly a lot easier looking than any LS car I've owned. Probably easier than your heads/cam job.

 

[Doubeleive]

If you have the means I would, just did mine at 130k and it was on it's way out

 

[Foggy]

Do the converter before the clutch in it takes a shit and takes out the rest
of the trans with it.. You can get a better TC - not necessary for a higher stall..
But a better lock up clutch and better built... Your towing will finish off
an already well worn in TC in the 6l80e

 

[swathdiver]

As some of you may be aware, I’m on a mission to make our 2012 Yukon xl Denali a reliable towing rig for the long haul. Next on my list of obsessions is the transmission - specifically the torque converter since they have a tendency to let loose and take the transmission with them (6L80). We have about 8k towing miles planned with a 6500 lb camper behind it this year - much of it in the mountains. With 118k on the clock is this something worth being proactive about and upgrading, or let it ride for another year or more? Any betting people out there?


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After four years of ownership, I only just recently learned of this well known problem! Change the fluid every 45K miles and or after a long haul such as you described. I looked up the problem and Sonnax mentions that the case half that bolts to the flex plate is too thin which causes the problems. My own plan is to purchase a new JBMX converter and the Sonnax parts (for towing, no racing) and have it built probably when the transmission is overhauled. I'm leisurely chasing an issue where the converter doesn't always lock up below 45 mph and if it turns out the converter is doing that and not the computer, may replace it sooner.

Where are you heading?

 

[ls1frc]

I paid about $400 for my zl1 verter. Feels stock and just stalls a few hundred RPM higher. They're beefy as hell.

 

[mikeyss]

I have a 2600 circle d and I love it!! It keeps my 6.3 always in the power band. I've only had it for a few days and so far it's been awesome. It's streetable, but when you nail the pedal the power is instant. I'm gonna take it for a drive in the mountains today

 

[wsteele]

For $300 for a reman, seems like cheap insurance for what you are planning. When you are out on the road, far from home, towing a heavy load, peace of mind is a valuable commodity.

 

[Geotrash]

Do the converter before the clutch in it takes a shit and takes out the rest
of the trans with it.. You can get a better TC - not necessary for a higher stall..
But a better lock up clutch and better built... Your towing will finish off
an already well worn in TC in the 6l80e

For sure, I’d go with the same stall. Just looking for beefy.


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[Geotrash]

After four years of ownership, I only just recently learned of this well known problem! Change the fluid every 45K miles and or after a long haul such as you described. I looked up the problem and Sonnax mentions that the case half that bolts to the flex plate is too thin which causes the problems. My own plan is to purchase a new JBMX converter and the Sonnax parts (for towing, no racing) and have it built probably when the transmission is overhauled. I'm leisurely chasing an issue where the converter doesn't always lock up below 45 mph and if it turns out the converter is doing that and not the computer, may replace it sooner.

Where are you heading?

I’m a max 25k on transmission fluid kind of guy, so that’s helpful validation.

Yellowstone, Jackson, and all points between here and there. Plus several other trips to the outer banks, new river, upstate New York, etc. can’t wait!


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[Geotrash]

I have a 2600 circle d and I love it!! It keeps my 6.3 always in the power band. I've only had it for a few days and so far it's been awesome. It's streetable, but when you nail the pedal the power is instant. I'm gonna take it for a drive in the mountains today

Nice. Did you do the install yourself?


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[Geotrash]

I paid about $400 for my zl1 verter. Feels stock and just stalls a few hundred RPM higher. They're beefy as hell.

Did you buy direct?


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[ls1frc]

Did you buy direct?


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No, but I can't even remember where I got it from. SDParts maybe. I believe it's discontinued now so maybe hard to find.

 

[swathdiver]

I’m a max 25k on transmission fluid kind of guy, so that’s helpful validation.

I sent an oil sample of transmission fluid to Blackstone Labs and they said it had about 10K of life left in it when it was at around 36K. So there's some more reasons to change it much sooner than OE recommendation.

 

[thompsoj22]

Id say absolutely change it before the trip! We pull a aljo lite at 5k lbs, Currently at 150k miles and i have encouraged the wife to accept that if we want to continue towing the trans is a must. I will do it myself and replace the transfer case chain while im there. I would like to reman the whole trans but it functions perfectly right now and maybe the converter by itself which is "non invasive" and should be a plug and play PM component is the ticket. The chain in the TC seems to have alot of play/slop in it so ill split the case and replace what is required as it is a simple design and not to costly to replace the parts.

 

[donjetman]

I installed a new beefier rebuilt TC when I did my rear main seal 2+ yrs ago. No regrets. Here's a link, see post #24:

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/rear-main-seal-job-pan-etc-07-yukon-denali-6-2.108334/page-3

 

[Jeffnumber6]

I just had my trans rebuilt on my 2012 because the TC failed and took out the pump with it. 195000 mi. I have recently done some towing at or near the max towing capacity. I was not surprised as others have mentioned the TC can / will fail on the 6L80e. I had my transmission rebuilt and have not towed much with it since.

 

[Geotrash]

I installed a new beefier rebuilt TC when I did my rear main seal 2+ yrs ago. No regrets. Here's a link, see post #24:

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/rear-main-seal-job-pan-etc-07-yukon-denali-6-2.108334/page-3

Thank you, Don. I read your whole thread and while I'm capable of doing the work, I'm considering having a pro do it. I'll report back here with an update.

 

[Geotrash]

I just had my trans rebuilt on my 2012 because the TC failed and took out the pump with it. 195000 mi. I have recently done some towing at or near the max towing capacity. I was not surprised as others have mentioned the TC can / will fail on the 6L80e. I had my transmission rebuilt and have not towed much with it since.

Very helpful, Jeff - thank you. Based on everyone's wise counsel here, I'm going to have the torque converter replaced, and will also do the rear main seal, transmission fluid filter, etc as part of the process. I'm thinking of having a shop do the work. Any other upgrades I should consider while they have the transmission out of the truck?

 

[Geotrash]

Very helpful, Jeff - thank you. Based on everyone's wise counsel here, I'm going to have the torque converter replaced, and will also do the rear main seal, transmission fluid filter, etc as part of the process. I'm thinking of having a shop do the work. Any other upgrades I should consider while they have the transmission out of the truck?

Small update. Called a local transmission shop here that gets great reviews and spoke to the owner. He said that the only other problem we might want to consider fixing proactively is one of the clutch drums (I believe it's the 4-5 drum) has a high failure rate in these. But he also said that that part is almost impossible to get right now. What say all of you?

At the very least, I'm going to have them do the TC. He said about $700 for the labor which sounds very fair to me.