Thread: auto box clutch lock up

Probably the clutch gone in the Torque Converter.
Yes it is a job for a pro.
It will cost a lot of labour to fix , so maybe consider a complete rebuild .
Regards Philip A

When was the trans last serviced?

It may be a blocked gallery, port or valve causing the problem.

Does the rest of the trans seem to be working ok?

The lockup clutch can fail but I would take it to a reputable trans mechanic with ZF experience and see what they say.

A couple of years ago for a rebuilt trans with reco converter your looking at about $3000 plus fitting.

Cheers Casper

Why does it cost so much here when Ashcrofts in the UK do an exchange box and torque converter for 675 GBP which equates to AU$1028?

They also do a supply, remove and refit inc oil etc from the equivelent of AU$1827.

Is it because an auto is full of "white mans magic" and the average mechanic won't touch them? Or is a rebuild in Aus really worth 3 times as much?

Damian

I don't know but it will cost a bit to send your Disco to the UK just to get the auto changed so I guess that may have something to do with it.

Prices may have come down a bit since I last priced one from the leading recommended ZF re builders in Vic A&B Transmissions in Dandenong, but I have since been quoted from other auto shops only $200 or $300 cheaper so my natural assumption is that it's about right.

Ashcroft's make a lot of the parts themselves as well as have the expertise to track down parts direct from manufacturers etc and buy in in massive quantities as they mainly concentrate on the ZF brand along with their own products.

If you hunt around you may be able to save yourself some coin but for my money If I can't do it myself I pay someone who does it all the time to do it for me, it's normally cheaper in the end.

It may be worth while looking into freighting an Ashcroft trans over while the exchange rate is good as they are meant to be a pretty good product but the warranty may be an issue if you have problems.

Cheers Casper

Thanks to PhillipA and Casper. Rest of trans works perfectly. Guess I'll have to put up with it or bite the bullet. Cheers.

Originally Posted by lrbob

Thanks to PhillipA and Casper. Rest of trans works perfectly. Guess I'll have to put up with it or bite the bullet. Cheers.

Take it to an Auto trans joint to get it checked out, it's surprising how small blockages or stuck valves can make a big difference.

Casper my TDI disco had a problem which felt like it was not fully grabbing when taking off at the lights every now and then.

Cost me $150 to fix, including oil and labour so it can't have been anything much.

I wish I could remember what he said it was but I had 2 places tell me I needed a new trans and they thought the clutch packs were stuffed and the converter was stuffed which about 100,000kms since says they were wrong.

Get someone in the know to look at it and get a quote, there is no white mans magic in the grey box of mystery, just nuts bolts, hydraulics, clutch packs and gear drives..........nothing much really

Cheers Casper

I have had a 4HP22 in a Defender get so hot that the kickdown cable outer melted and dripped into the oilpan, and the insides smelt like an ashtray! Found it was the oil pan magnet that had been sucked into the pickup and blocked the oil flow about 90%!!
With nothing to loose I dropped the valve body and replaced the cale, changed the oil and filter and flushed the cooler and this was 4 years and 2 trans oil services ago. I did tell the owner that it may not last but has proven me wrong

Change the oil and filter, check the kickdown cable adjustment, cross your fingers and toes and hope for the best.

JC