113k...

Gents: I'm noticing that the tranny isn't shifting quite as smoothly as it used to. Is still runs great but seems to sit on the gear for a second or two before it upshifts.

I love the truck and aside from brakes, compressors, a height sensor here and there, and a recent suspension valve issue (that has spontaneously disappeared) , the truck has never left me stranded.

So, is this sluggishness in shifting the start of an imminent demise of my transmission or is there anything I can do? I've never replaced tranny fluid and prior to me coming on here to post I've read " yes, replace it" "no , don't replace it" and the most troubling "yes replace it, unless you're over 100k".


Any guidance ? An explanation of why and why not?

 

New battery if electronics are suspect.

In days of old, tranny fluid was changed more often. The LR3 specs 150,000 miles or ten years. Yet many indy shops won't swap out fluid after 100 - 120 because of the chance of crud breaking loose and clogging up the gizmos.

Rover lets the lease my truck guys off the hook by shoving maintenance costs to the next owner.

Here are pages on filter and fluid change. If after this is done, and still issues, the shade tree improvement is Lucas Transmission Fix.

 

Hmm. So a deteriorating battery could be the reason for unsmooth (not a word) gear shifting? Back 70k mikes I was getting a tranny fault code and the battery was replaced ad fixd the issue. This time no fault. Just my own paranoia.

I will tell you that the parking sensors on this thing are going ape **** and the rear sensors as of last week don't seem to work t all.

 

Step one is check the fluid level, and see if you have a leak, very common on this vehicle. I have not had any issues with these transmissions when it comes to changing the fluid at higher mileage, unless there was already an issue with it slipping, which yours does not sound like it is.

The other major issue that will cause a delayed upshift is tires. How are they worn, are they all the same brand, and have, at least on each axle, about the same amount of tread left?

 

Wow. That is an amazing observation. My tires are spent. Planning on getting new ones this week. I wonder ? I'm curious as to how tired would affect changing gears but I'm going to replace, so ill let you know what happen.

 

The electronic brain decides on the shift points based on rpm, engine load, etc. These calculations would be based on tires of same size, etc. Older trannys just used a pressure buildup. And the 5 speed uses the most complex computer, the one that synchronizes the hand and foot to the ears.

 

Well, if they're all worn out the same, that isn't the issue.

The problem I was alluding to was the truck sticking itself into Cornering Mode. If there is a difference in wheel speed on an axle, which can be caused by one new and one old tire, the vehicle assumes you are in the middle of a turn, and delays shifting. The becomes very pronounced sometimes when the not-full size spare is placed as a rear wheel.

 

Although Rover says you have sealed units that don't need servicing, they are wrong, the tranny, t/case and both diffs need frequent fluid change or they can go south.
As mentioned, with you mileage, it may not be wise to service the tranny but get the others done.

 

Tranny fluid is getting replaced by my Indy lr mechanic this weekend. He's charging me $300. He's telling me the filter is "part of pan" and will cost an additional 300. He says its considered lifetime.

I guess I'm troubled by this. If a filtered is lifetime and its clogged, wouldn't this aid or cause some of the issues I'm having ? (Sluggish shifting from gear 1-2.2-3)

The guy has always done decent work for me. I just value the opinions on here.

Other thing to mention is about what a previous response mentioned regarding uneven wear on tires and the truck thinking its cornering. I had Tires replaced three weeks ago. Mechanic told me tie rod ends were in my future and is the cause of my uneven ware and shakiness in wheel.

Crossing my fingers the tranny fluid change helps because I just don't think I'll have it in me to do a transmission.

 

It's been mentioned here before, and I've been recommending it for years. ZF put out a letter affirming the fact..... the fluid is rated for 60k miles.

If you plan on changing it multiple times, get the metal pan upgrade, it's a lot easier to change the filter that way, and does not require lifting engine / tranny to remove and refit..

You should do your transfer case at least every 60 as well.

Diffs -- 30k

Luckily I keep spare trannies on hand, thanks LR