I’ll try to make this as brief as possible but I’d like some input on the following:

Last October I replaced the 4.0ltr engine and 3spd transmission in my 2000 TJ with a Jasper Engine/Tranny combo, recently it developed a scrapping or ratcheting sound that was emanating from the tranny bell housing, when I brought it to my local tranny shop we discovered that the crank shaft had about 1/16” end play for and aft which was causing the converter bolts to hit.

I contacted Jasper and was informed that they would cover the engine but will not cover the labor to replace it because they said that it was caused by “torque converter ballooning” for those of you, like me who have never heard of this, according to some (and the jury is still out on this one) they claim that the torque converter expanse under extreme pressure and places stress on the thrust bearing causing it to fail.

After doing some research on the subject and speaking to several major torque converter manufacturers and engine re-builders it appears that in some cases high RPMs and high pressure can indeed cause converter ballooning, however all that I spoke to said that given the stock 4.0 ltr engine and Chryslers 3 spd tranny it was highly unlikely to build up the kind of pressure needed to balloon the converter.

Whether or not Jasper will cover the labor costs is a secondary issue, what is more important to me is to know what really caused the bearing failure if the converter checks out to be within dimensional specs, which so far it appears to be.

Any help on this subject would be greatly appreciated, as I do not want to have to replace the engine again.

Thanks to all,
Bill

I have only heard of this happening on race trucks and cars - on a plain jane jeep ??? What the *&^%$