I hear an ugly grinding noise coming from my torque converter. I don't think its coming from inside the tranny but I guess it's possible. It sounds like bearings have broken and they are grinding around inside. I know it's not the engine because I unbolted it from the torque converter, started it and the noise went away. Have any of you encountered a problem like this before and what could it be? I am planning on just buying a torque converter and swapping it out. The tranny still shifts fine. Do you recommend rebuilding the tranny too.

I've got an 89 IROC 5.7L 700R-4. How many splines do I need the torque converter to mate with?

Thanks

 

More likely to be the front pump. But it could be the converter. Or both.

 

Torque converter rattle.

 

There is one problem that is always over looked and its a common problem The tranny mount seperate (due too hard launches) and causes a rubbing grinding sound. But this only occurs when vehicle is in gear and/or in motion.

 

it most possibly can be the tc. probably some to due with the stator (tc). it could also be the pump as 5-7 metioned. regardless take the tranny down and inspect the tc, input shaft, pump, and pump bushing. 89' 700r4' has a 30 spline count. there a few places in town that have stock tc's for about $60. best of luck.

 

Took my tranny to get rebuilt. It was planetary gears. They looked all chewed up. Turns out that is the reason I had a very slight vibration in 3rd gear under very hard acceleration for many years. Thanks for the help guys.