When you’re working with your vehicle’s transmission, you have to take off or install various fasteners, including the torque converter bolts. To remove or tighten these bolts, you must know whether the bolts feature standard or reverse thread.
So, are torque converter bolts reverse thread or standard thread? Generally, torque converter bolts are not reverse threaded. They typically have standard, right-hand threads. However, always refer to your owner’s manual to check whether there are any customized reverse-threaded torque bolts for your specific vehicle.
For standard bolts, you have to turn them counterclockwise to unfasten them or clockwise to fasten them. Let’s get into the details and find out which direction the torque converter bolts are threaded.
Torque Converter Bolts Direction Identification: Reverse or Standard Thread?
Generally speaking, torque converter bolts are standard right-handed (RH) threads that spin in a clockwise direction to tighten and counterclockwise to loosen. Yet, some vehicles might be customized with torque converter bolts featuring reverse threads.
Reverse thread bolts are used to prevent them from loosening due to the rotational forces of the torque converter. Thankfully, there are multiple ways to tell what’s the direction of the threads of your vehicle’s torque converter bolts. Here are the details:
Check Your Vehicle Manuals
Consult your vehicle’s service or owner’s manual to determine the thread direction of the torque converter bolts for your specific vehicle. Although standard threads are most commonly used in torque converter bolts, some customized or special models might have bolts with reverse threads.
So, the easiest way to tell the direction of these bolts is to refer to the manufacturer’s instructions. You can also contact the manufacturer online or visit your local dealership in case you don’t have the manuals.
Look for Thread Direction Markings
If the torque converter bolts are reverse threaded, they might come with thread direction markings. Bolts marked with an ‘R’ or ‘RH’ refer to right-hand threads, and ‘L’ or ‘LH’ is for left-hand threads.
In some cases, the bolt might have other numbers and letters, too, such as TR20x4-LH or TR20x4-RH.
Observe the Thread Direction
When you have the torque converter bolts in hand, you can easily tell the bolt type from the direction of the threads. In a standard right-handed bolt with its bolt head at the bottom, the thread helix rises from the bottom left corner of the bolt to the upper right corner.
Meaning the threads are going upwards in a clockwise direction. To identify a reverse threaded bolt, place the head of a torque converter bolt at the bottom and observe the thread direction.
In this case, the thread helix rises from the bottom right corner of the bolt to the top left corner. Simply put, the threads are going upwards in an anticlockwise direction.
Measure with a Thread Pitch Gauge
Another way to determine the thread direction is to measure the thread pitch using a thread pitch gauge or a ruler. Right-hand threads typically have a uniform pitch, whereas left-hand threads have the pitch going in the opposite direction.
Thread pitch gauges typically have a series of labeled teeth or blades with different pitch values. First, you need to identify the size of the torque converter bolt’s threads by comparing them to the teeth or blades on the gauge.
Now, find the tooth or blade that matches the threads most closely. Check if the threads align with the gauge teeth and appear to slope upward from left to right. If yes, the bolt has standard or right-handed threads.
Otherwise, the threads will align with the gauge teeth but appear to slope upward from right to left. In this case, the bolt has reverse or left-handed threads.
Turn the Bolt
Use a wrench or ratchet to turn the torque converter bolt in a clockwise direction. If the bolt tightens and moves away, it’s a standard or right-handed thread. Otherwise, left-handed or reverse bolts will move toward you and become loose as you turn them clockwise.
How Do You Remove Torque Converter Bolts?
You need to remove the torque converter bolts when you’re fixing a transmission or engine issue such as ‘engine misfire at low rpm,’ ‘transmission slipping,’ or ‘transmission and engine grinding noise at idle.’
Removing the bolts will give you enough clearance to easily access the inner components. Follow these steps to remove torque converter bolts with ease:
Step 1: Take Necessary Safety Measures
Before you start, wear rubber gloves and safety goggles. Disconnect your vehicle’s battery and use a bottle jack and suitable jack stands to lift your vehicle into a comfortable position. There must be enough space beneath so that you can easily move and access the transmission.
Step 2: Locate the Torque Converter
As you might know, torque converter bolts are mounted on the torque converter. So, refer to your owner’s manual to locate the torque converter first. The torque converter is typically located between the engine and the transmission.
Depending on your vehicle’s design, you’ll have to remove the starter motor, inspection cover, and other small components to access the torque converter.
Step 3: Rotate the Crankshaft
To freely access each torque converter bolt, you need to rotate the engine’s crankshaft manually. You can use a large socket and a breaker bar for this task.
Rotate the engine until you can access one of the bolts through the opening. You might have to repeat the process multiple times to access each torque converter bolt.
Step 4: Loosen the Torque Converter Bolts
Based on your vehicle’s model and make, it can have two, three, or six torque converter bolts. To remove them, use the appropriate socket or wrench that fits the thread dimension of the bolts.
Now, the important part here is to move the wrench in the right direction. For standard threads, turn them anti-clockwise to loosen. If the vehicle has reverse bolts, turn them in a clockwise direction instead.
Step 5: Apply Lubricant or Freeze-Off
Sometimes, the bolts get stuck due to lack of lubrication or rust build-up. In this case, you’ll have to apply a lubricant or freeze-off to loosen the stuck torque converter bolt.
For lubrication, use an effective auto part lubricant like the WD-40. You can apply the CRC freeze-off penetrant if there’s any rust on the metal bolts. Finally, heat the bolt using a torch for 15 to 30 seconds to remove the stubborn bolt easily.
Step 6: Reassemble If Needed
Once all bolts are removed, you can carefully slide the torque converter back and away from the flex plate or flywheel. Keep the torque converter and bolts in a safe place for reinstalling them later.
To reinstall the torque converter, reverse the above-mentioned steps. Always use a torque wrench for this to avoid over-tightening or under-tightening the mounting bolts. While tightening the torque converter bolts, twist them clockwise for standard threads and anti-clockwise for reverse threads.
Parting Words
While dealing with a stuck torque converter bolt, you might ask: Are torque converter bolts reverse thread? As explored in this guide, these bolts aren’t reverse but standard right-handed bolts. It’s essential to check the vehicle manual to know the exact direction of the bolt threads.
Otherwise, you might end up twisting them in the wrong direction and strip the bolt head. If you’re removing or installing torque converter bolts, be sure to follow the given instructions. This way, you can easily decide which direction you should turn the bolts to loosen or tighten them with minimum effort.
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