Transmission Questions

[jthuman]

'98 Disco 83k miles
Mechanic did a transmission flush with and put in synthetic

I installed rte 2" lift day before service with rte rear links to fix pinion angle...got it back from mechanic and it doesn't seem to be as tight, late shifting like a bad driver with a clutch...checked transmission fluid..it was low and topped I topped off. Now it seems in 1st and 2nd there is less power than normal sort of like towing. It doesn't seem to have the same torque.

Is the problem with the flush and synthetic (too late) or could it be front driveshaft problems from lift...still some vibration 1500-1900 rpm on hard acceleration.

Is there a way to test if transmission is slipping while driving and watching rpms?

Seems to be plenty of power in 3rd and 4th

Thanks for any help.

 

[RoverChic]

James:

What color was the ****** fluid before the flush -- or do you know? I might consider taking it back to the shop and asking them to possibly re-investigate the ******.

 

[Andrew Homan]

The pinion angle will give you vibes not weird shift problems. Sounds like a fliuid issue or lack of.

 

[jthuman]

I can't say about the fluid since I didn't do it. I have an appointment with the mechanic to check it out and replace the transmission temp sensor and have complained specially since the trans fluid was very low and he didn't know that you needed to check it cold?!? When I made the appointment he hinted that my transmission was going bad. But, it was perfect before the flush.

I topped it up and have checked it regularly in the morning and it is right at the top mark.

No real luck finding a good lr mechanic close to my house.

There was a post about front driveshaft possibly causing problems with transmission feeling like you are towing something.

When I downshift manually from highway speed rpm jumps about 1000 down through the gears with a good lurch foward. Had it on the beach for a week in deep sand with a trailer and no problems. I really don't feel any slipping just sort of like shifting early or shifting late. Only feel it 1200-1900 rpm on hard acceleration. There is some vibration at the same rpms?

thanks

Jim

 

[Rocky]

based on my experience, when I did pretty much the same thing as you swapping to synthetic at similar miles in my d1, what you are experiencing is merely the transmission adjusting to the new fluid. It took mine several days to settle down, yours will to. Give it that time.
As for fluid being low ensure you follow the instructions and do not overfill

 

[jthuman]

Thanks I hope so. I have driven it over 1400miles since the flush. I didn't catch the low fluid by mechanic for about 300 mile or so because I was concentrating on get rid of driveline vibration. I plan to remove the front driveshaft and drive it around to see if anything improves.

 

[billb]

Careful with synthetic in a ZF trans - sometimes they don't like it. Some have good luck and others very bad (mine included). You'll also see similar posts on BMW and Merecedes boards (ZF trans also in those).

I know of several other cases wherea ZF trans has died (mine did) a short time after switch to synthetic - while others have no problems at all.

Since first experiment -have gone back to plain old cheap Dexron and drain it every 10-15K.

My $.02 - many others will disagree

Bill

 

[jthuman]

I will have the mechanic that flushed and put in the synthetic drain in and put in the manuf. spec. normal stuff.

Is there any problem with the mixing the two. I know if I drain it there will still be 2 qts or so in the torque converter etc. Is there anyway to get it all out with out flushing it again. Or just drain it over and over again etc.

If I can't get the mechanic to do it quickly I will do it.