broken ears on Tremec tko

[roadracerwhite]

Anyone else had problems breaking the ears off of their tremec tko transmission?

 

I took the motor out of the race car this weekend and found that 2 of the ears had broken off and the other 2 are also crakced.

 

Anyone ever seen this before?

 

I have polyurethane motor and trans mounts and all of the bolts were tight.

 

 

[ST#97]

Can't see the pictures here at work but I have been told that if you are running solid engine mounts, that you have to run a soft trans mount or you will start breaking stuff... don't know if that fits your situation but food for thought....

[roadracerwhite]

I am using urethane mounts for the engine and trans. I have been told to check for broken engine mounts. Haven't checked the engine mounts yet, but will look at them tonight.

[onralz]

Broken engine mounts will definitely do it. Even week ones that are weaker than the tranny mount will twist the ears off. Also if the angle of the tranny mount is too high compared to the angle of the engine that will cause stress on the upper ears.

 

Got your PM. I'll be in Peoria this weekend. I'll try to hook up with you to get that video figured out if you are free. I'll call you this week.

[roadracerwhite]

Sweet sounds good Mark,

 

We will be around this weekend.

 

Bryan

[swhiteh3]

I'm curious what you find on the engine mounts..

 

I've used solid engine / solid trans mounts for some time, and never had a problem. I have, however, made a clear decision NOT to tie the trans mounts into the cage structure too rigidly because I didn't want to start having issues.

 

Frankly, by the time you're breaking trans ears off, you're probably binding the crap out of the trans as well...

[roadracerwhite]

The engine mounts look fine from what I can tell without taking them out. They don't seem to be broken or move an excessive amount.

 

Not sure where to go from here. Except ordering a new case.

[Elvenhome21]

being that both broken ears are on the same side, suggests your motor mounts and trans mounts are square with each other. I have had good luck running front motor mounts and a mid plate, and letting the tranny hang freely (T-10 w/ explosion proof bell housing). Granted if your using a aluminum bell housing then you should use a cross member with a mount on so the trans just rests on it, no bolts tieing them together.

[swhiteh3]

roadracerwhite, please contact me offline to discuss.

 

<>@gmail.com

 

Thanks.

[roadracerwhite]

Two years later and it happened again. This time not as bad. Now I have hairline cracks and leaks. Going to get the case welded up and figure out what to do.

 

I bought this thing to be the end all be all of transmission issues and it just isn't the case. I could have had 4 wc t-5's ready to go for what I paid for this thing and weighed half as much.

 

Scouring the internet for others with issues, it seems I am not the only one with problems.

 

 

Bryan

[Grizlbits]

Bryan,

 

Does you're car hop the rear end under braking? That never helps. It usually pops a gear, but maybe the case gets hurt with your setup.

[roadracerwhite]

It does every once in a while(maybe once a year), but I try to avoid that and adjust the brake bias.

 

Bryan

[Patrick W.]

I have the same problem on my 3550. I made the stupid mistake of going to a solid trans mount with rubber engine mounts (whoops) I went to solid engine mounts and had the case professionally welded 3 times. The top 2 tabs keep breaking off. $200 plus my time in taking it to the welder. A new case is like $175. Do yourself a favor and buy a new case Welding doesnt work.

 

Good Luck

 

Pat

[roadracerwhite]

Pat there are 2 different case designs, the newer design has more ribbing than the older. Do you have the old case?

 

Sidney F. has had a similar issue, his may be more do to a bad yoke on the driveshaft though. He had his welded and had the welder build up a couple areas and fill in the cavity on the front of the transmission case too. I think I am going to go the same route and see if that fixes my issue.

 

 

Bryan

[92MNstanger]

Just an idea...The torque arm mounts to this thing, right? Are you getting any wheel hop? I would imagine wheel hop could snap the ears off the case and the tranny mount (even if in perfect shape) is your fulcrum. I was getting a ton of wheel hop at Autobahn in the rain. I dialed out all rear brake just to minimize it. I need to space up my gas pedal so I can get back to the heel-toe thing.

 

 

I never hear of ears breaking on mustangs, just 3rd gear.

 

 

Edit: Darn Chris beat me to it. I was still on page 1, HA!