Tranny Problems 'Fixed'!

[Isambard]

Hi All,

I've had tranny issues with my 01 4.4 for about 2 years or so. And as such have scoured this forum and read numerous posts, questions and answers, and theories etc in that time.

And so, with time as well as the inclination, not to mention having had enough now with the tranny not performing as I believe it should I have just this minute finished test driving the X after the fluid change to the Redline gear. I have to say I have the biggest grin on my face-much like when I changed my front tension strut bushes to poly just recently!! (by the way they are still doing the business)


My issues prior to the change:

• Jerky upshifts, particularly 1-2-3, no lead-foot, just normal driving
• STUPID downshifts at slow speeds (around 20-30mph), 3-2, 2-1, putting you through the screen as you turn a corner-into a street for example
• When I attempted to pull away gently from standstill it would give me unnecessary whiplash

I've just driven out of my garage and straight away I could tell it was different. No whiplash, 1-2 was... BEAUTIFUL. Like my Merc CLK a few years back (now thats an auto box!) 2-3... Same as 1-2. 3-4-5 was exactly the same, smoooooooooth!

Just got back after 20-ish miles and turning into my street and corners I KNOW would throw me into the screen from the stupid stupid stupid downshifts, it stayed in the same gear I entered the turn in. Unreal.

A real driving pleasure once again.

[DallasGV]

Nice...Congrats!

[civdiv99]

Yer killing me. I have a case of Redline sitting in the garage (bought just for the hell of it) waiting whilst I tell myself it'll be a more pleasant oil change job when it's not well below freezing and snowing out.

And then I read this........arguably I'm not displeased with my generic Mobil oil in there, but it's been a coupla years now since I did the rebuild/repair so I figured I'd go ahead and get set up for a change in a few months.

Sigh.

So happy to read about your experience, though, nevertheless.

[upallnight]

So do you guys with the V8 have the Zf trans or the GM trans? I have a 3.0i and the trans is in fine shape, but I would like to change the fluid as a preventative measure.

[dkl]

Just beware that shifting too "smooth" may not be a good thing on an automatic as the clutch pack will slip more to do that, which leads to more wear and heat generation. While I agreed in changing fluid, I just don't like using "generic" replacement fluid. This is one area I don't mind paying a little bit extra for the OE fluid.

Originally Posted by upallnight

So do you guys with the V8 have the Zf trans or the GM trans? I have a 3.0i and the trans is in fine shape, but I would like to change the fluid as a preventative measure.

If you decides to do this, make sure you use the OE filter and fluid. Don't let anyone tell you that a generic filter is just as good...it's NOT. I got all sorts of shifting issue using a generic filter, which was ultimately been corrected with just replacing it with the OE filter. BTW...mine is also a 3.0i.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by dkl

Just beware that shifting too "smooth" may not be a good thing on an automatic as the clutch pack will slip more to do that, which leads to more wear and heat generation. While I agreed in changing fluid, I just don't like using "generic" replacement fluid. This is one area I don't mind paying a little bit extra for the OE fluid.


If you decides to do this, make sure you use the OE filter and fluid. Don't let anyone tell you that a generic filter is just as good...it's NOT. I got all sorts of shifting issue using a generic filter, which was ultimately been corrected with just replacing it with the OE filter. BTW...mine is also a 3.0i.

Thanks for the info on the filter.

[Isambard]

Thanks dallas

civdiv, I've used the Redline stuff before-it was for my skyline, the synchro had gone on 3rd, which is common and so the guys on the GTR forum swore by Redline's 'shockproof' gear. I chucked that in the box, no more issues, ever. I'm not saying its the magic bullet, but for me so far its been 2 out of 2, a 100% success rate If you decide to use it, I hope it works out well for you too.

upallnight, its a ZF trans.

dkl, I used the Redline gear, because a. my previous experience, and b. because I found a thread long ago from a guy saying he'd either had his valve body re-con'd, or a new one fitted (can't remember exactly), plus the usual trans software update, but still the sypmtoms persisted. Until he changed the fluid to Redline. Problem solved. I thought I'd cut out the unnecessary heart-ache he'd unfortunately encounterd and try the Redline first.

As for the 'too smooth' shifting, I reckon its how it should be now. Before it was crap, now its 'like' my old merc-smooth.

[pink_roundel]

Originally Posted by Isambard

Until he changed the fluid to Redline. Problem solved. I thought I'd cut out the unnecessary heart-ache he'd unfortunately encounterd and try the Redline first.

Was this a complete drain of all the fluid even in the TC, or you changed it on the ground? Anything, ANYTHING to make this X shift like new again.
Thanks.

[Isambard]

No, not the TC, just the tranny. Mine needed 5 qts.

[xsx450]

so what is the consensus on fluid? oem or redline?