2002 Ford Explorer possible torque converter issue?

We have a Ford Explorer with a 5 speed auto and a 4.6 V-8 which has a rattle noise underneath Ford claims it may be the torque converter how serious an issue is this as a friend of mine has a Crown Vic with the same issue and has been driving it that way for over a year. We were planning on selling this vehicle but the repair I assume is costly as Ford quoted me over a $1,000. If it can still be driven for a period without a serious issue we may just run it till spring. Any help in this area would be greatly appreciated.Many Thanks

ask here:

http://www.justanswer.com/car/ford?r=ppc|ov|1|Cars|Ford&JCRN=Ford+Mechanics&JPRC=1&JPKW=torque%20converter%20ford&JPKD=281608497011&JPDC=S.adv&JPAD=55653923511&JPRQ=torque%20converter%20ford%20explorer&JPAF=txt&JPCD=20090223-2&jclt=Ford

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