DII Vibration during shifts.

[Geflackt]

Trying to diagnose a vibration during shifting.
- 2000 DII, auto, 140k miles
- Vibration started a week or so ago(according to wife - I don't drive if often). Took to dealer for trans service - I didn't know there may be issues, so I didn't ask.
- Vibration seems to last about one second between the 2-3 shift, and only did it after a half-hour of mixed driving. Felt a vibration on the 1-2 shift once, then yesterday that started getting worse.
- There are no vibrations during regular driving. DII feels more solid at 140k miles than my '06 RRS!

Recently replaced plugs, wires, cleaned idle air valve(normal every 6 months), run Seafoam every few months, lubed front driveshaft(front u-joint and sliding portion). All the plugs were very consistent and the engine still runs very strong. There are no OBD or trans codes stored and the lights have not come on. Cats are original, O2 sensors may have been replaced back under warranty(thought maybe the cats were coming apart causing fluttering).

When in for the trans service, the dealer did a full vehicle inspection(free) and didn't find any issues. There is a clank-clank-clank noise at idle that I thought might be a heat shield, but I'm now thinking might be around the flex plate - that's been going on for well over a year since I always thought it was a heat shield. Has not gotten worse and I didn't see anything obvious looking through the inspection hole.

The rear rotoflex has minor cracks - might have been replaced way back around 50-60k. As far as I remember nothing has been replaced on front driveshaft.

Very little offroading done, but I have used it for trailering vintage cars on an open aluminum trailer occasionally until I got the RRS last year.

Still have to:
- Try cleaning MAF(replaced around 100k)
- Pull front driveshaft and check(our DII doesn't have CDL lever to drive without front shaft)
- Check axle fluid levels. No signs of leak, but might be time to replace.

Any other thoughts or suggestions?? Leaning towards something in the tranny, especially after the vibrations seemed to get worse after the service.

Thanks!
Jason.

 

[I HATE PONIES]

Pull front driveshaft and check

Check this ASAP! Take it off to check it. You may not be able to feel the play while it is installed.

 

[mbrummal]

It has a cdl, just use a 10 mm open end wrench to actuate it after you take the shaft out.

 

[91 PBP 5079]

Search DII vibration or frt drive shaft. And it is going to scare the hell out of you!

 

[Geflackt]

So, the front driveshaft on its way out would cause an issue between/during shifts?? I've seen the messages about it on the board.

Will look up the 10mm CDL-wrench and remove the shaft. I have it on my lift now...

Searching around the tranny, I found an unconnected breather line. On an '00 model, could there be an unused breather line?? It looks like it used to be in a bundle with 2 others that are connected to the t-case.

Jason.

 

[Geflackt]

Never mind about the breather - just found a pic in the CDL tech area.

 

[Geflackt]

OK - locked CDL and removed front driveshaft. Quite easy actually!

Drove for about 45 minutes with normal speeds and some stopping and starting. Didn't feel the vibration at all during shifts or normal driving!

The driveshaft still didn't have noticeable play in it when I removed it. What section breaks!?

We'll drive it tomorrow yet and see what happens. In the meantime I'll look up my front driveshaft replacement options. I hate messing with u-joint replacements.

If the vibrations still don't appear after a few hours of driving, are there any other issues such as transfer case play or anything??

Jason.

 

[Geflackt]

Have driven for a day now without front DS. The vibration is still there only not as noticeable or frequent. I may try removing the rear DS(and replacing front!) - wondering now about Rotoflex. Or just replace the Roto since it's not a big deal.

The driveline does feel a bit "loose" and clacky. There is a pretty loud clack noise when selecting reverse from P or D. I think our our old '96 Disco that a new Rotoflex cured this.

Still nervous about the front shaft going bad, but it's not the cause of these vibrations.

Other suggestions?

 

[JustAddMtns]

I had my driveshaft replaced and got a little vibration after a trans service. It actually feels just like you describe your vibration. A friend and Rover tech said it could be something like debris, sediment, etc. that let loose during the service flush causing a little vibration.

We were going to try another "flush," but I'm going to wait a bit to narrow down exactly, when it vibrates, temp, etc.

 

[Geflackt]

I'm trying to figure out now if I can do a flush myself and see if that changes anything. If I'm under the trans and the engine is shut-off, I can hear fluid flowing back into the trans sump. Don't know if that means anything or not - I'm not that familiar with an auto box(manual and pre-selector I can do OK!).

"JustAddMtns" - keep us posted on what you find!

 

[Geflackt]

Have been driving for a few weeks now without the front driveshaft. Replaced rotoflex and things feel tighter, but the shudder around some shifts is there occasionally. It has gotten better, but it's still there. If I do a manual change from 1-2-3 the shudder never seems to happen.

The transfer case seems a bit "loose", but it has for quite some time. Downshifts sometimes give a loud "clack". I also get the clack when going to P to R, but it's better after replacing the rotoflex. All levels seem OK. I still can't tell if this is related to the tranny or not. I'm going to put the front driveshaft back on in the next few days and see if that tightens things up.

Now the shudder may occur after only about 10 minutes of driving, but it's also not as common as it was.

Anything else to check??

 

[nolift911]

I am at 165k and just replaced the front DS - it was the orginal believe it or not.

No shudder but no trans service either - and I have been guessing if a trans service/flush etc is more trouble than it is worth - kinda like if it aint broke don't fix it...

I need to take a look at my roto-flex - original as well....

I must say as well that my 165k rover is much more solid than many other new cars that I drive...