Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Got 89 SWB auto...240K on the clock....

Driving along at about 110kph torque converter properly locked up ok...doing right on 2000rpm...and come to hill as the speed drops to 95 the auto box seems to shudder (like going over a cattle grid) for about half a second...torque converter still locked and does not change back till the speed drops to 80kph....this been happening on and off since i got the car last July but it was happening regularly coming back to Canberra from Woy Woy this morning.......

Hmmmm...me thinks it will be expensive....any ideas????

Sounds like torque convertor linings. Probably a good idea to get it checked out as if it fails you have a really large bill. If it doesn't fail it will be only half that!
If you are still using the factory cooler (inside the radiator) then it is likely that it is getting very blocked. The oil feed to the gearset comes directly from the cooler so if it gets blocked the gearset will melt!

Thanx...other than this the box is really good with no probs at all....and I do a fair bit of moderately difficult off-road stuff.....

nzdarin wrote:Sounds like torque convertor linings. Probably a good idea to get it checked out as if it fails you have a really large bill. If it doesn't fail it will be only half that!
If you are still using the factory cooler (inside the radiator) then it is likely that it is getting very blocked. The oil feed to the gearset comes directly from the cooler so if it gets blocked the gearset will melt!

Yup, happened to a bloke in our club, $4000 bill to rebuild... and lucky he had the RACV tow you from anywhere gig, we were at the club property in the bush, they towed it 3+ hrs home.

I spoke to three places....funnily none of which recommended replacing the torque converter as the first option. Cause once the box is out there are a lot of other things to consider.

Two places took it for a run and weren't too perturbed and the third said it was indicative of a box on its way out at 240K....understandable.

They all recognised the converter as a likely cause ... but also could be pressure seal leakage not clamping the clutches or glazing on the clutches too.....also one highlighted a slight variation in the shift pattern indicating wear..to be expected at 240k which they all say is a bloody good run from this type of box.

Anyway am trying an additive called Shudder Fix which aids in the glazing issue to see...only $28. It is noticeably better but a temporary fix only...the inevitable is still staring at me.

Prices varied from around $3500 to $6000 (this is if the plenary gears need replacing too). There is also the issue of the radiator transmission cooler which will probably mean a new radiator (mine is crumbling a bit and probably a bit blocked too) at another $800-1000.

I have to make up the mind whether to invest say a minimum of $4000-$5000in the box/radiator knowing that the engine will also need doing at another $5000 minimum in a 60k or less. Thats a lot of bickies.

UPDATE: Well Dr Tranny (I assume it means transmission not transvestite????) Shudder Fix got big raps from a couple of Transmission places and it worked in mine...no shudder....also two latest testers this arvo said the box is fine and definitely does not need overhaul at this stage....pheeww!!!