Introduction - Newbie

[shorty]

Hi all,

Well I'm a few months into owning a 2007 D3 TDV6 and am finding this forum really useful so thank you!

We just got back from a short tour and found the car really great on long runs. We did run into an EPB issue but I was armed with the knowledge of the manual release so didn't delay us too much!

I've booked the car in for a tranny service based on the discussion on the forum. I've gone with Automac in Myaree who are ZF agents and gave a really good price (with all genuine ZF sump / filters / oil) so will let you know how it goes for those people in Perth.

I plan to make a few mods like a Traxide dual battery / tow hitch upgrade / cargo barrier / under bonnet compressor / electronic brake controller etc so I'm sure I will be continuing to draw on the forum for help with all these decisions. If anyone in Perth can point me in the direction of a good Auto electrician who is knowledgable on these cars that would be great.

Cheers,

Matt

[Marmoset]

Hi Matt,

Can you let me know the cost of the auto service please. Mines just ticked over 100,000km's so I need to get it done as a bit of proactive maintenance soon, not sure whether to do it myself or garage it - dependant on price!:D

Have a look over on disco3.co.uk for bodsys brake bible with regards to adjusting the epb. It's a very handy guide.


Cheers

Richard

[rb30gtr]

Congrats on the purchase, same model as mine!

Is it an S/SE or HSE?

My gearbox is at 180kms, no issue and no service yet.

[shorty]

It's an SE - loving the air suspension!

I am a preventative maintenance kind of guy and want to do some towing etc so that's why I thought I would do the gearbox service. I am only at 85,000kms. There is a bit of a rough shift down when approaching a stop (fairly minor really) so it will be interesting to see if that changes after the service - will let you know. They are doing it for $850 inclusive with the new metal pan. Richard I think sourcing the oil would cost you half that - they have it there in 44 gallon drums so must go through a bit. There we several Ford Territory's there getting their 6speed ZF boxes done when I dropped in to see them.

My EPB issue isn't adjustment - one of the springs which holds the shoes has snapped and so it confused the actuator. Having new shoes and springs put on this week so hopefully that will be it for the EPB for a while! I must say I do see this as a real weakness in the design of this car. I've never found it particularly taxing to pull on a lever to apply the hand brake but it seems to be the way modern cars are going.

Cheers,

Matt

[mikeford]

I have just had Milford Cargo barrier fitted in my D4, the original supplied top brackets were 30mm too short to allow fitment of cargo blind. Installer got replacement corrected length brackets supplied by Milford, all good now.

[~Rich~]

I get my auto transmission fluid changed every 50,000k to prolong its life.
I've already done the metal pan swap.
My 2005 D3 is up to 175,000k now.

[Marmoset]

Thanks Matt, good to know, I'll probably get it into them early next year. I know the oil is a shocking price so hoped it wouldn't cost much more for a garage to do it, given the buying power of purchasing oil in that quantity.

[TerryO]

You can buy the correct oil direct from ZF in 20 litre containers. It will save you heaps rather than buying from transmission repairer.

[shorty]

Well transmission service completed during the week and there is definitely a small but perceptible improvement in the smoothness of the ZF. I feel good that it's done! Will go back to them again in another 3 or 4 years and should be around $400 - $500 next time.

Matt

[Marmoset]

Was that with just a fluid/filter change or was it a full flush/filter change Matt?

[rb30gtr]

It's an SE - loving the air suspension!

I am a preventative maintenance kind of guy and want to do some towing etc so that's why I thought I would do the gearbox service. I am only at 85,000kms. There is a bit of a rough shift down when approaching a stop (fairly minor really) so it will be interesting to see if that changes after the service - will let you know. They are doing it for $850 inclusive with the new metal pan. Richard I think sourcing the oil would cost you half that - they have it there in 44 gallon drums so must go through a bit. There we several Ford Territory's there getting their 6speed ZF boxes done when I dropped in to see them.

My EPB issue isn't adjustment - one of the springs which holds the shoes has snapped and so it confused the actuator. Having new shoes and springs put on this week so hopefully that will be it for the EPB for a while! I must say I do see this as a real weakness in the design of this car. I've never found it particularly taxing to pull on a lever to apply the hand brake but it seems to be the way modern cars are going.

Cheers,

Matt

The clunk might be fixed with the new software update, that is if it hasn't been done. Mine was a bit clunky, had the update done and it is a-ok now. My full flush will be done this Christmas.
Smart move on the preventative maintenance, these cars love to be maintained, and driven hard, then maintained again.

Good luck with it,

Cheers,
Ben

[shorty]

I am under the impression they did pump all the old fluid out but having not done it myself I can't be 100% sure of exactly what they did.

Regardless I'm sure the gearbox has to be thanking me for its new filter and new fluid. Its also now a lot cheaper to do it in another 5 years or so now the new pan is on.

Ben -thanks for the tip regarding software upgrade. Next time the disco is in at the mechanics I will get this done.

Matt