I am in the process of rebuilding mttransmission on a1997 xk8 with 122k miles on it. Should I replace the torque converter at the same time? I did not have any problems with it before but since I have the transmission out should I go ahead and replace it. Any recommendations?

 

Personally, I would change it out. The labor involved alone at 124k miles says that it should be done and any shop doing this work would strongly suggest replacement.

Are you replacing the valve body? That seems to be the source of a significant problem with this transmission, especially the early ones. A worn valve body is what applies very high pressure to the 'A' drum breaking it.

 

I am updating the valve body with a new updated pressure valve. Replacing the A drum and new steels/ friction plates.

 

It's a 'Dirty Harry' decision - do you feel lucky?

Many years ago I had a front seal fail on an XJ40 transmission. Had the transmission out, rebuilt and refitted it.

THREE WEEKS later the torque converter failed! If you've never had this happen, it sounds like shaking broken glass around in an old paint tin.

Valuable lesson learned. Whenever I've worked on transmissions since then, I've also replaced the torque converter.

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Graham