Hi all,

I have a few driveline/transmission troubles that have surfaced recently. I drive a TD5 Auto Disco 2 with 190,000 km. The problems I have noticed is that the box seems to hold onto gears longer than it should especially 3rd to 4th, sometimes when going from R to D or vice versa it doesn't engage the required gear, I put my foot on the gas to accelerate away it revs slightly then clunks into gear. There is a constant oil leak (brown) that seems to be dripping from the draining plug on the transmission oil sump, I am currently in the process of trying to change the transmission oil although i am struggling to undo the plug on the front of the sump. The next issue surfaced yesterday, I have started to get a vibration through the cabin under light acceleration from around 2000-2500 RPM, then while sitting stationary in neutral with my foor on the brake, if I shift between D and R I get a clunking sound through the driveline this happens everytime I change direction without fail, i'm suspecting front propelor uni-joints from what i have read on here.

I have limited mechanical experience and am currently living in a little Australian mining town called Karratha where they only drive Land Cruisers and Patrols, parts are expensive and hard to come by, the mechanics here can charge what they want as there is knowhere else to go and I have already nearly been ripped off a couple of times.

I hope to try and get to the bottom and hopefully resolve these issues myself, any suggestions, tips or advice would be of a great help.

Cheers

Tommy

 

How to change the trans fluid on a DII - Land Rover Forums - Land Rover Enthusiast Forum

The transmission fluid is supposed to be pink, not brown or black.
Start by changing the transmission fluid and filter, it is not a hard job, just make sure you get the fill plug out first.

Next check the fluid level in the transfer case.
Let them rebuilt your propeller shaft or buy a new one and install it yourself.
The transfer case uses gear oil just like the differentials do.

 

The brown "oil" on the trans drain plug sounds like your rear main seal may be leaking. If this is so this is a bigger job than you can probably handle, please don't be offended :-) smell the fluid what does it smell like? Oil and trans fluid have a totally different smell.
Your vibration could possibly be a engine mount or trans mount with your mileage. But if your front "prop shaft" has not been serviced properly it could be causing as well.
About your troubles getting the drain plug out, remember that if you put a piece of pipe on your ratchet and extend it it will give you more leverage to break that stubborn bolt loose.
Your clunking could be a variety of things
Low or burnt fluid:
Transmission controller
Stretched linkage:
Prop shaft if original this is your warning to stop driving it NOW and pull it out take it to be rebuilt by a shop this part failing will be the end of your truck.

Crawl underneath your truck and start inspecting everything with a flash light. Check mounting locations for all drive line components and shake prop shafts to check for play.
Good luck

 

Tommy,
The shaking is the torque convertor.
The convertor can't get enough fluid.
You can't drive it like that - or you will burn out your transmission.

If you can drain the transmission oil and get new oil in there then you will be better off.

You need to fill it up to the top of the fill plug with the engine off.

Then, you need to START THE ENGINE have it in Neutral with the brake on and the wheels blocked.

Then, keep filling it until the fluid comes out of the fill hole on the transmission pan. Then put in the fill cap.

Run it round and thru the gears.

Then, keep the engine running and try to put more fluid in it.
Once filled to the top cap it and you are done.

Easier to have a shop do this.

 

WOWZER 2.5ish DIFFERENT ANSWERS! SO MANY DECISIONS TO MAKE?


MOST IMPORTANT THING IS GET YOUR FILL PLUG OUT FIRST BEFORE YOUR DRAIN PLUG.

If you had a second person you could look and listen for the D to R clunking sound by having them shift while you try to isolate this noise to the source maybe this will give you a better idea of where to start?

 

Thanks all for your quick replies,

I've been poking around my dora for most of the day and this is what i found.

I managed to remove the fill plug and then procceded to remove the drain plug, revealing a browny/black transmission oil, I let this drain about 1.5 litres come out and then I proceeded to fill back up with new transmission oil as per Jfall's description above about 5 litres went back in, I have ordered the required filters and seals to do a proper change again. The gear shifiting has imprroved immediately and less clunking through the gears but unfortunately dora is now parked up until I have a new or reconditioned front propshaft, I gave the said propshaft a good shake and wriggle revealing lots of play at the double cardon end of the propshaft it felt like it was ready to brake immediately. One concern was that there was about 20 degrees of play in either direction going into the transfer case at the end of the propshaft is this normal or is there a problem in the transfer case too. When you say that I should send the propshaft off to be reconditioned do you mean just the overhaul/replacement of the universal joints, if so I was thinking of ordering new UJ's up to where I am and then try and persuade the plant mechanics on site to fit them for me and then i would refit the propshaft myself?

 

You don't have cdl on that model or did you check?
glad to hear about the improvement!!!
You would need to put new centering ball and new u-joints or your waisting your time.

 

I don't have the CDL option on the transfer leaver, i'm not sure if I have the mechanism in the case though?

I'm back to work today and i've spoken to the plant mechanics, if I order the parts they will fit them to the propshaft for me, so hopefully i'll be back on the road very soon

 

You can reach up on top of t-case and feel for the little stub

 

Glad to hear it is all starting to come together.
Please keep us posted.