Thread: auto clunks going into reverse

Hi is this a new phenomenon or has it been getting worse over a while, also do you notice any difference in the 1 to 2 shift ie is it harder than it was. If it occurred suddenly it may be a prob in the valve body. A common problem is the 1/2/R accumulator spring breaking which means the apply pressure will have no damping accumulator, the full pressure will be applied suddenly, hence the clunk. Before checking the valve body check all other possibilities eg A frame ball joint etc but if the obvious solutions do not fix the problem go to the valve body.

thankyou very much we have just purchased the vehicle so I don't know what the past history was so I will check the above sorry for the late answer been busy trying to find the source of some oil leaks thanks again warnie

One thing that really needs looking at first is the state of the coupling shaft spline and the input gear spline in the 230. Remove the pto cover, put auto in park, rock the car back and forward looking at the end of the coupling shaft, if it can be seen to move in relation to the gear , that is your problem. It can be replaced usually needs a new gear also. Ian.

Kind of hijacking the thread but I've got a question for Ian on the accumulator springs in the ZF.

Recently had my box pulled down (300tdi) and in the rear valve block I found that the inner of the two springs in the "E" clutch accumulator was in fact two springs. The two were identical and had been screwed partially into each other, or in service had screwed together. Looking at the same parts from a V8 box the inner spring was a single.

Is what I found in the tdi box normal, if so how far should they be screwed together and what happens if you get it wrong. If not, can I replace with the springs from the V8 box.

Cheers

Hi what you have is a broken inner spring, there are two springs , an outer and an inner, wound differenent directions, if you had left it a while longer it would have broken the outer also. Broken accumulator springs allow the full line pressure to hit the clutch hence the clunk. Hopes this answers the question. Regards. Ian Ashcroft