Hey guys, I'm new to the Dmax and Allison trans. and I have a very important question for you all. The truck is a 02 4x4 CC with 103,000 miles.

My dad's 02 Dmax/A started pouring trans fluid out of the bellhousing!!! I've read in the post about the torque converter flywheel mounts tearing causing a significant leak. Could this be the problem???

Could it be easily fixed without pulling out the tranny? What costs are envoled?

I'm going to call a good trans shop in town and I want to educate myself about the problem, before he says "I need a new transmission."

Thanks guys

I've also read about the bolts loosening up. Were you pulling anything at the time or anything that would put more stress on the Tranny?

The truck is used to pull trailers, but not all of the time and nothing very heavy. Although, dad has only had the truck 10,000 miles.

The truck wasn't pulling anything at the time.

I know it's not the same truck, but I was plowing with an F-450 when I had almost all the Tranny fluid pour out of the bell housing area. I had the truck towed to the dealer. They filled the tranny and ran it with no leak. They said that when the Tranny heats up it tends to purge the tranny fluid. A year has gone by and I still have the same tranny. I know someone else will have more info for you but, thought I would throw that out there. Good Luck.

Thanks, I've heard of that also with towing trucks. This truck didn't have a leak, then all of a sudden under normal driving it started pouring out.

I'd try filling it back up drive it around for an hour and check it. Could be the same problem I had and will save you a tow.

The odd thing is that it performs and drives fine. No noises, or bad performance. park the truck and you can see it drip drip drip drip very steady.

Could also be the lower converter housing bolts too, they have a tendancy to leak fluid.

Tommy93W350

If in fact the Allison is leaking out the front of the bellhousing the trans has to come out and will require torque converter replacement. The front pump seal rarely leaks. You have several options and all of them cost money. You can buy a no name converter anywhere from 500.00 on up and you don't know what you are getting.( not a good idea imho). Allison does not have a rebuild program for the converter (wonder why)only new is available for about 1200.00 or more.( does not mean this problem will be solved for any length of time). You could choose to update to a Suncoast( single clutch or triple) or TTS( single or multi disc). ATS is also available and a fine unit. While you are there doing this upgrade I suggest a Transgo shift kit to make the Ally come alive. With the milieage that you posted you will have some weak or burned clutches that should be replaced. Suncoast Level 3 comes to mind (good stuff ) which replaces C1 through C4 (C5 never goes bad). I am not trying to sell you anything, only listing your options. Good luck

mike

Thanks, for the advice. It sounds like an expense repair, crap. The leak isn't in the very front of the bell housing, but in the center through a silver button??? Looks like a pop off small cover over a hole, maybe drip hole for the bellhousing.

How hard is it to pull the bellhousing off at the bottom? Could I see the torque converter and maybe the bad flywheel mounts?

Nothing to pull off except for an inspection cover (and the starter) from what i've been into. This is a pull it back situation. Mike L. can talk you though it very well. He is one of the authorities on this subject here.

Ok, Thanks, I'm going to try it today and call around for prices on a new torque converter just in case.

JMO but if your converter lugs are cracking and its leaking there i would get a SC or a TTS or a ATS converter. no need to get a 3 disk, just get a single disk.

Like SD said you should be able to pull that little plate and peer up there and take a look at the lugs. you will have to spin the motor over by hand unless you can easily tell its coming from the front or the back of the converter. Front of the converter and its the lugs, back and its probably the bellhousing bolts. Only deal is when you got a big spinny thing it tends to whip fluid every were so you wont be able to figure out were its coming from. To fix the problem you will need to pull the trans. I tried the lazy way when replacing my converter recently and you cant pull the converter if you leave the transfer case on the back. So you need to yank the transfer case(this will require a gasket, and make your life easy and drain the transfer case and refill it later, and you may as well drain the trans too) With a deccent trany jack I was able to slide my trans back far enough to get the converter off(it will be full of fluid and heavy!!!) and make a mess. No if its the converter replace it, if its the bolts leaking Mike or otheres can fax you a pic to show what bolts you should remove and RTV and put back.

Edit: now probably wouldnt be a bad time to add a transgo kit while its appart since the R&R and then getting the trans up to work on is the biggest PITA part of the kit.

IMO a guy with regular hand tools, a trany jack, a warm garage(critical this time of year:eek: ) and a deccent mechanical ability should be able to replace the converter or RTV the bolts. A buddy will help though. Average joe on his first one should be able to get it done in a day I would think.

Furthur edit: I forgot to mention the biggest PITA part, removing the converter bolts, gota get em out through the starter opening and gota sping the converter by hand. There are 6 converter bolts BTW

It sounds like a full days work. Thanks Ratlover and Superdiesel

I called around today to get some prices. The Chevy dealership wanted $675 just to pull out the trans. a new converter is $1,200.00, a reman is $500.

A local trans shop wants $350 to pull out the trans. He said he could get a torque converter for $300????? I'm skeptical about his parts.

Dad's real aggrevated about the truck. He's leaving tonight for the coast to do some deer hunting. Now, his buddy has to drive and pull the trailer. He was wanting to show off the Dmax.

Be carefull what you buy, and be carefull who does the work. Cheap is not good.
mike