TDV6 trans or drivetrain shudder

[Rich84]

I've done a single fluid flush so far and this doesn't seem to have fixed the problem. Light shudder through the steering wheel under load, strongest at 1750rpm and 3000rpm. Accompanied by slight harshness in the car's noise.

I'll be doing the second flush tonight. If this doesn't fix the problem does it mean I'm up for a trans rebuild?

If so, how much will that cost? I noticed a few people here have had them done.

[Calis]

Rich, I'm interested on the responses on this as I have a very similar symptom.
You say a shudder through the steering wheel but is it more like a vibration?
Mine happens when the trans is cold...mostly

Straight out of my drive i have quite a steep hill and its very noticable. Under normal driving its gone. Once warmed up though its reduced when going up the hill but still slightly there. If I really boot it up the hill its not so noticeable.:D

I'm thinking going straight to a double-flush.

[Ivan]

Check out this link (http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic82172.html?highlight=%2Bauto+%2Bshudder) on Disco3.co.uk

HTH

Ivan

[Rich84]

Yep it's a vibration through the steering wheel and occasionally can be felt through the pedals. Passengers wouldn't notice it but you do while driving it. I just spent $60L :eek2:on 8 litres of ZF Lifegaurd 6 so I'm hoping that cures it somewhat. Interestingly I also bought some of that dr tranny shudder fix listed on that disco3 post, just waiting for it to show up.

Will report back.

The trans is smoother in general anyway, and I don't get the small bump up the backside when stopping anymore.

[Calis]

"Yep it's a vibration through the steering wheel and occasionally can be felt through the pedals"

Same exact thing as mine.

Ivan, thanks for the link I've read that disco3 post a few times and forgot about it. mixed opinions on the fix which is always good.

Most on here would say the shudder fix is a snake oil I'm guessing.
Interesting to see if it fixes the problem Rich.

Mine runs smooth as silk all other times as well.

[CaverD3]

If vibration not shudder can be the front prop shaft. Mine was vibrating at 70 or so kms/h replaced; now gone.

[jonesy63]

Agree with caverD3 - I can't recall any change in engine noise when my D3 auto started shuddering.

One thing you can try - use sport mode or manual change gears at same revs/load and see if you can replicate it. If it still does it, odds are it is the prop shaft.

[AnD3rew]

Dumb question, but have you tried the really simple things like getting your wheels balanced?

[Calis]

haha funnily enough Andr3w in my case my wheels do need an aliment.

however Im not sure how thats related to vibration and engine noise under certain load and revs with the vehicle?

[Calis]

Rich do you have D3 or 4?

interesting post here: http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/146581-zf-6hp26-maintenance.html#post1647938

I ordered some shudder fix as well.
I tried hard to get previous owners to pass on service records from the dealer but they never come through with the goods. So I don't know if trans was ever flushed/drained.

Either way best to do is sooner then later.

[d3viate]

"I just spent $60L on 8 litres of ZF Lifegaurd 6"
How did you find Lifeguard 6 that cheap ? Wasn't chinglese was it ?
I too had "the shudders" to the point of undriveable and was quoted $89 a litre at the dealers purchased through LandRover but luckily I had 20 litres myself already. ZF agent in Perth quoted $35 a litre as he buys in bulk.
The trans flush yesterday fixed my shudders and is now driving smooth as silk. Rather annoying as the car has spent its life in the north and my repeated requests at the Perth big time stealers for a trans flush was always given the LandRover mantra "sealed for life" from the young service advisers who admitted themself had never seen inside a transmission and having rebuilt tens of electronic transmissions myself and seen the build up from friction plate wear and metals, know this is BS.
The sealed for life is fine in England, for those who have never seen inside a transmission, and others with their head in the pindan. When your car spends its life in heat never seen in England, they really need to rethink their line, IMHO its only for environmental reasons in not dropping the oil in such an expensive transmission. Sealed for life is "until your warranty finishes old chum".
The oil was as black as old Nissan diesel engine oil. Car has only done 110k kms.
Another time I had the shudders at 85k kms they end up replacing the Transfer Case and rear electronic lock Differential (under extended warranty) but yours could be as simple as a wheel balance as already said, or any part of the rotating driveline and when it travels through the car as it does, a good mechanic or "technician" can be gold.
Poor dealership and service agent servicing can really put you off the brand and I have experienced it over east, north and west so far and LandRovers response has been "take it up with the dealer/agent".
I would recommend anybody who tows in the heat or wants to keep their car to take it to a ZF agent for proper transmission servicing if you are not sure how to flush it yourself although doing it yourself is easy but I had to go through the dealers as I had worst thoughts as a replace trans it was that bad and still in EXTENDED WARRANTY - worth every cent.
Maybe give it another flush after some running around if you are getting the (genuine ?) oil that cheap. Good luck amigo.

[AnD3rew]

haha funnily enough Andr3w in my case my wheels do need an aliment.

however Im not sure how thats related to vibration and engine noise under certain load and revs with the vehicle?

Probably not engine noise, however out of balance wheels can definitely cause vibration through the steering column and it often occurs at specific speeds although if it is definitely revs, not speeds then maybe not. But always worth checking the cheap and easy before going for the expensive.

[Rich84]

Calis - I have an 08 RRS TDV6.

d3viate - it was $60 per litre. I flushed it again last night and admittedly it seemed to improve the shudder, although it is still there. Shifts are smooth and willing, no kicks in the back on stopping.

The car also seems to make a bit of road noise, like maybe a bearing is shot somewhere, although I could just be being paranoid. The car is pretty quiet so any unusual noises catch my attention. It's sitting on 20s so tire noise is another possibility. I jumped back in my S4 the other day and that makes a whole lot more road noise than the RRS.

Maybe I should listen to my best mate and just turn the stereo up louder... :bangin:

[d3viate]

Sorry Rich84, that is expensive to keep on flushing but not much alternative at the moment.
Yes, sometimes when I'm trying to hear a driveline problem it seems I too hear more than I thought was there before. Need to strap a jockey under there with a screwdriver in his ear to check your bearings while driving along the freeway.
Maybe dropping your trans pan if you haven't already may be in order to put your mind at ease. If its out of warranty you can get the steel trans pan kit as I have waiting for warranty to end. About $375 from fading memory.

[~Rich~]

Maybe try this:

http://www.lubegard.com/~/C-230/Dr.+Tranny+Instant+Shudder+Fixx

DISCO3.CO.UK - View topic - Clutch life in auto TDV6? (http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic85885.html?highlight=Dr+Tranny)

Many have and it seems to work.

[Rich84]

I have two tubes coming, so I'll report back. I noted today that there's a slight vibration (I'm talking barely noticeable - and not noticeable to anyone else but the driver) at speed with the trans in D. When switching to N it disappears. Rev the engine back up to 2000rpm and it doesn't reappear, but put it back in D again and it does once the throttle is applied.

Car has 163K, never towed anything and mainly highway driving.

EDIT: IT towed its first thing last weekend - a trailer with a spit on it.

[101RRS]

Current pricing for LifeGuard 6 from ZF Aust

1 litre bottle $37.95 plus shipping
20 litre drum $565.07 plus shipping
Steel Pan Kit $314.44 plus shipping

Garry

[Calis]

that price for the steel pan seems right as I was just looking at this with the same price:

ZF 6HP26 6 Speed Automatic Transmission Steel Sump Conversion Service kit | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ZF-6HP26-6-Speed-Automatic-Transmission-Steel-Sump-Conversion-Service-kit-/150660526588?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item23141131fc)

[Rich84]

I just realised ZF Lemforder's SA warehouse is pretty close to where my work is based.

Hopefully I'm not going to be on a first name basis with them any time soon like I have been with my other parts suppliers in the past.

There's a 6HP26 on ebay I'd be interested in buying to pull down and rebuild. Then put it in the RRS. That's assuming worst case scenario, which I always must jump to [FishSlap]

[Calis]

Thanks for the list garry. Are orders placed direct with ZF?




Car has 163K, never towed anything and mainly highway driving.

EDIT: IT towed its first thing last weekend - a trailer with a spit on it.

Mines 09 D4 done 130k so very similar situation.
Im getting my tow bar fitted tomorrow so in a couple of days will let you know if I get anything different when towing. Mine hasn't towed before either but I'd be lying if I wasnt a little nervous now. I dont do big long tows but towing is towing.

Past owner did allot of high way km's and I was interested to see it mentioned that lots of high way driving when its continually in 5 & 6 can cause significant wear.

[Calis]

The car also seems to make a bit of road noise, like maybe a bearing is shot somewhere, although I could just be being paranoid.

I just went through that with the front right. Thought it was a bearing cause was getting some rumbling. Posted it here and talked to a few others and they virtually all said shouldn't be the bearing for the age and parts supplier said he'd never heard of one on a D4 go.

Long story short I replaced all four rotors and pads and the noise reduced significantly after that so maybe brake related noise. Noticed inside tire wear and I think im just hearing tire noise. Camber on the wheels seems a bit extreme for a 4x4 and I DEFINITELY need a wheel alignment. Noise all but disappears when I turn the wheel and is worse on certain road surfaces.

Not sure if that eases your mind about road noise. :lol2:

[101RRS]

Thanks for the list garry. Are orders placed direct with ZF?

Yes - I have been in contact with the main office in Sydney - quoted me $20 to ship a 20 litre drum to Canberra