Thread: Disco 3/4 Automatic Transmission FAQ - 6 Speed

Hi, ive just had my trannie oil changed at brighton land rover, the vehicle has done 102,000km the oil was black, and the tranmission seemed smother,although there was nothing wrong with the transmission in the first place, there recocomendation for servicing for transmissions are change oil at 100,00 kms and change pan &filler& oil at 160,000kms. any thoughts.

If the box has 50,000 services then the box will last.
Look after it and it will look after you.
I had my first one at 96,000 ( not original owner) another at 146,000 and it's starting to have issues at 196,000, due for another service but will need more than just a fluid and filter change.
My first one was done too late / damage was already done.
Dr Tranny will postpone repairs but not fully fix shudder long term.

Get the pan changed to a steel one first service, it will save you $$$ down the track on future servicing.

I have just traded my D3 for a RRS with low (relative) kms and the trans issue has come up. It seems that all items are original and nothing has been improved or replaced. At first I was pleased that the car had all original equipment! Now I'm not so sure...

Hi there. Just wanted to let everyone know I had the typical shudder between gear changes. Took it to a prominent LR workshop and had the software updated. Made it worse. Was told 7k. No options. I read about Dr Tranny on this forum. Bought 3 tubes of shudder fix on eBay. $45 delivered. Put 2 tubes in. Drove 5km. Shudder gone. Box 100% better.
I can also confirm a seperate prominent LR service centre is currently trialling it. Cheers.

Well I learnt a lot about the 6 speed box today, seems it is one of the best auto built to now in the world. Yes it will last with some examples of the same gearbox with over 2million kilometres on them, not in discovery's but other makes.
The secret to long service life:
Fluid and filter changes every 60,000k.
There are some alloy components that wear inside the box, the fine particles get into all the solenoids,clutch packs and valve bodies eventually making them fail.
This is why it is critical to service the auto at 60,000k.
There are two ZF auto rebuild specialist in Australia that I know of, AB Automatics in Melbourne - these guys are recommended by LR as a approved ZF service agent. This is all good except they rebuild the boxes to exactly the same original spec as LR.
They are not allowed to modify them.
OK why is this not the best?
Well the ZF box had a couple of minor flaws, there are some aluminium plugs in the box the are supposed to seal off some galleries, the problem is they do not completely seal then off. The plugs sort of rattle in there spot,not good.
This brings me to who Gords suggestion to contact Bob at Cohuna Automatics which is on the border of NSW & VIC.
He has over 40 years experience in automatic transmission.
He services and rebuilds all Automatics and does Ritter's in Melbourne work as well as many around the country He rebuilds the boxes and improves them with some minor modifications. This includes having O rings on those alloy plugs I spoke of before as well as other things.

I'll let you know how I go but I'll be using these guys to rebuild my auto early next year.

Many thanks to Gord for the contact details.

Got the wife's D3 transmission serviced and new sump at Morwell Automatic transmission. Had a look at the oil and filter it was due for change but not bad according to the owner, he has done a lot in the past few years the quote was $750 and that was using ZF oil so really happy. Drives like a dream still has hesitation at round about i am told there is a patch for but haven't got it done yet. Decided to keep the rig so fitted Bridgestone 694 AT tyres after doing the tranny all good for another 60,000kms.

Gippy

Originally Posted by Gippslander

Got the wife's D3 transmission serviced and new sump at Morwell Automatic transmission. Had a look at the oil and filter it was due for change but not bad according to the owner, he has done a lot in the past few years the quote was $750 and that was using ZF oil so really happy. Drives like a dream still has hesitation at round about i am told there is a patch for but haven't got it done yet. Decided to keep the rig so fitted Bridgestone 694 AT tyres after doing the tranny all good for another 60,000kms.

Gippy

Gippslander does this price include a steel sump or just the fluid and filter change?

Thanks, V2

The price included all new parts, steel sump, filter and oil also he was very cooperative in explaining about the transmission overall condition and recommendations for future servicing.

Gippy