Can this be repaired??

Wildman1 · Dec 11, 2006

I had a leak on the rear cooler line on my 44RE tranny in my Jeep. Well I got in there with a flashlight and saw a crack. So I pulled the t-case & tranny out. Then I started checking around and found out that this is a common thing on the 44RE tranny. So I bought this kit that was suppose to fix it. Well my case is cracked WAY too much. So now the question is can I fix this with JB Weld or something like that? Or do I need to get a new case or new tranny? And if I do get a new tranny then the question comes down to do I just a rebuilt tranny or do I shoot for one that is a performance tranny?
I am thinking I will try the JB Weld first and if it doesn't work then start shopping for a new case or tranny.

The piece back in place

The piece that is broken.

CrustyJeep · Dec 11, 2006

JB-weld, no way. Those are pipe threads, right? The force of threading the fitting in tight would pop it open before you got it even a little tight.

Could possibly be welded, and beefed way up in the process...

skrause · Dec 11, 2006

:booo: Oof! You could patch it with JB but I wouldn't trust it to hold. That sucks. Ya, Crusty's got a point. Pipe threads won't hold with JB.

GRNTACO · Dec 11, 2006

Is it NPT or just coarse thread? JB weld would be fine if it was just coarse thread.

Not Jobless · Dec 11, 2006

Pull it out and clean it real good.

Then find an aluminum fitting (Russels, Aeroquip, etc...) that suits the application and have it all TIG welded back together as one part.

TreeClimber · Dec 11, 2006

Jobless said:
Pull it out and clean it real good.

Then find an aluminum fitting (Russels, Aeroquip, etc...) that suits the application and have it all TIG welded back together as one part.

That's what I'd do. Only I'd have a brass male fitting screwed into the aluminum female fitting as it was tig'd, then take it apart after it was welded (just as a precaution to prevent the tig from warpin' the threads.

Wildman1 · Dec 11, 2006

Jobless said:
Pull it out and clean it real good.

Then find an aluminum fitting (Russels, Aeroquip, etc...) that suits the application and have it all TIG welded back together as one part.

If I was to get it welded would I have to gut the tranny first? Or can it be done with all the internal parts inside.

NotMatt · Dec 11, 2006

Jobless said:
Pull it out and clean it real good.

Then find an aluminum fitting (Russels, Aeroquip, etc...) that suits the application and have it all TIG welded back together as one part.

This sounds like the best idea to me. I'm sure a competent TIG welder could fix that for you if you cleaned it up really well.

GRNTACO · Dec 11, 2006

Jobless said:
Pull it out and clean it real good.

Then find an aluminum fitting (Russels, Aeroquip, etc...) that suits the application and have it all TIG welded back together as one part.

I wish I could think outside the box like that.:clappy:

03 CON · Dec 11, 2006

Just for old times sake "I hate agreeing with Brad, but"...
Its your best chance for having it work. Be very prepared for the fact that cast aluminum is very hard to clean well enough to get a good bond, be prepared to have to replace it, but it may work.

skrause · Dec 11, 2006

GRNTACO said:
I wish I could think outside the box like that.:clappy:

I'm still working on finding my way out of the wet paper bag. :redneck:

Not Jobless · Dec 11, 2006

03 CON said:
Just for old times sake "I hate agreeing with Brad, but"...
Its your best chance for having it work. Be very prepared for the fact that cast aluminum is very hard to clean well enough to get a good bond, be prepared to have to replace it, but it may work.

You are correct, welding cast does suck especially if it's lived it's life soaked in oil, but being that it is non-structural it should only take two passes at most by a decent welder to get a good seal.

Wildman,
Pull the tranny to have the work done but you can leave the parts in it.

CrustyJeep · Dec 11, 2006

I have another idear that might let you fix it in the rig.

Get or make an adapter that matches the threads in the tranny. Like a size adapter with male and female threads, but same threads on both. Clean everything up, goop it all up with JB-weld, and glue the adapter into the threads and glue the busted piece back on. Lots of JB-weld, and get it as tight as possible.

After it sets, you should be able to reattach your line into the adapter, being careful not to let too much torque transfer to the glued joint. Should hold.

I hope that's clear... The adapter thingy would end up a permanent (hopefully) part of the tranny.

Wildman1 · Dec 11, 2006

I already pulled the tranny. I found the rear main seal is leaking & a freeze plug too. So I've got to fix that too before I put the tranny back in. Since it is out am I better off to just go get it welded?

03 CON · Dec 11, 2006

Thats really your best chance Rick....

Wildman1 · Dec 12, 2006

Well I talked with Rick from Snohomish Transmission today and he guessed at about $500 to swap all the parts over if I get a new housing. Also called the 3 welding shops around here that are listed in the phone book and two didn't tig weld.

Got this from another board.
http://www.alumiweld.com/
Check it out and let me know what you all think.

Also have a Ready Welder and you are suppose to be able to weld aluminum with it. http://www.readywelder.com/home.htm

jeepmauler · Dec 12, 2006

I'd say no and double NO on the ready welder.

Get the aluminum fitting(raw not annodized) that Brad talked about and weld it up.A little work with some Brakecleaner,a fine wire brush and some low heat(propane/heat gun) to sweat some of the goo out of the pores and it will tig up fine

CrustyJeep · Dec 12, 2006

I would treat the ilumiweld as fancy JB-weld, nothing more.

Not Jobless · Dec 12, 2006

Wildman said:
Well I talked with Rick from Snohomish Transmission today and he guessed at about $500 to swap all the parts over if I get a new housing. Also called the 3 welding shops around here that are listed in the phone book and two didn't tig weld.

Got this from another board.
http://www.alumiweld.com/
Check it out and let me know what you all think.

Also have a Ready Welder and you are suppose to be able to weld aluminum with it. http://www.readywelder.com/home.htm

If I had a TIG I would do it for ya, but if you need someone to weld it call Jamie at Speedware, they are fully setup and capable of welding that together for you. The're in Redmond.

War-Jeeper · Dec 12, 2006

Jobless said:
If I had a TIG I would do it for ya, but if you need someone to weld it call Jamie at Speedware, they are fully setup and capable of welding that together for you. The're in Redmond.

Or talk with Marcus here on the board!

MarcW is his name on here, send him a PM or somthing that guy can TIG it for ya