I've recently noticed a vibration at 54/55 mph, at the same time I've noticed backlash in the transmission. There's a faint thud when selecting R to D and if I'm coasting down a hill, let's say between 10 & 20 mph, there's a faint thud when the box changes up a gear. Wether or not these two issues are related I don't know.

I've taken the RR (05 l322) to the garage, they had it for two days and couldn't find any obvious symptoms, I have also exhausted every possibility apart from wheel balancing. I believe it not to be the wheels out of balance as usual symptoms of this vibrate when you excelerate and when coasting. My vibration only occurs when cruising/feathering the throttle.

I'm starting to think that it may be torque converter but I'm not 100% in all honesty.
Are there any little issues with the drivetrain that I've missed?

Any ideas guys?

Thanks in advance.

classic signs of torque on converter.

Mine although being the 4.4 V8 ZF is having torque converter replaced for second time under warranty at the moment for the same issue.

Any garage with the right diagnosis equipment should be able to test drive and watch the torque converter slip level while driving and could tell if its that of not.

http://www.automatic-gearbox.co.uk/ is who are sorting mine out, if you turn up someone should come out and take it for test drive and plug it in.. and tell if its the gearbox or not. 2003 Range Rover 4.4 Litre V8 - Adriatic blue

2003 Range Rover 4.4 Litre V8 -Maintenance History Click Here = http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic39687.html

Damn! Could be a costly fix then!

The garage I use are very good, they have never failed me if I'm honest, there usually spot on at fault finding but did confess, when I mentioned the torque converter, that they aren't gearbox specialists. Understandable I guess. They did mention something about a chain in the T-box though and the possibility of it being stretched. Any thoughts on that theory?

The annoying thing is that when I bought the RR there was a receipt for a recon G-box and torque converter, I'm pretty sure it's only covered 40k but I do know the RR was used for towing a caravan, maybe that had some affect on wear and tear I don't know or wether the Recon box was built by a shoddy company.

40k since replacement miles including towing on a TD6 Gearbox could easy need a new torque converter again.

i would recommend going to gearbox specialist though as most garages the gearboxs on the Range Rovers are specialist area.

One i mentioned above are ZF Certified which why i picked them before and price was cheaper then on website now ouch !

The range rover garage i go too for all other work from engine rebuild to basic water pump replacement said with gearboxes they will only remove them and then ship them to a specialist for repair/rebuild and then replace they wont do that kind of work themselves. 2003 Range Rover 4.4 Litre V8 - Adriatic blue

2003 Range Rover 4.4 Litre V8 -Maintenance History Click Here = http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic39687.html

Ok, I had thought that.. So is that thudding between gears at low speed and rpm also Torque converter related or is that gearbox? I don't want to be changing the torque converter to find out it's the box as well you see.
As for a reputable gearbox reconditioner I'll phone Ashcroft transmission, they've led the way in Land Rover transmission for years, if they don't do the GM auto box they'll certainly know of somebody worthy of the job.

It seems Birch's in Liverpool have a good name ??

Hi guys..

I purchased some 'dr tranny' anti shudder (friction modifier) to put in the auto box in an attempt to temporarily cure the vibration I'm experiencing at 54/55mph.
So, I'm told you check the fluid level whilst the vehicle is running with the g-box upto temperature, select r,n,d several times then select park and go ahead to check the level.

I followed this instruction only to find fluid came out of the filler, at a guess around 3 litres! After several attempts of putting the plug back in and the same occurring each time I told my work buddy to turn the engine off and fireit back up. Once restarted no fluid came out, input the friction modifier in and selected each gear a few times and then went on a test drive around the yard with no obvious signs of low fluid.

My questions are....

Was the box over filled prior to my ownership?
Is this a normal occurrence when checking a level?
Is it wise to leave my RR parked up until I get more fluid to top up?
If this isn't normal what would clause this to happen? Blocked breather?
Did I follow the correct procedure?

So many questions!

Thank you in advance

Sounds like your box is on the way out....
slow to engage?
lumpy changes when warm?

Big question is what mileage do you have?
80-100k is average..mine went on 91k and had what you are describing.

Id take the hit and bring it to a gearbox specialist for a proper opinion.

you could buy a filter and fluid and give the box a service either. If the fluid has any debris in it then its game over and time for a new TC. The debris is caused by the TC plates breaking down. This debris can move around the box wearing the valvebody and causing more damage. The debris can also end up in the g'box cooler and block it causing the Trans failsafe mode.
If the fluid is clear then maybe a service will sort it.

The fluid pouring back out of the box when you are trying to fill it sounds very strange.....

Hopefully someone with more info comes along.

Exactly those symptoms yes...

I've test driven the RR today, friction modifier has worked perfectly, gear changes are smooth, nearly unnoticeable, no thudding between gears, vibration is still there slightly but definitely better.
Only down side is that it's shown up all the typical Land Rover sloppy transmission! Had this RR for about a month now and already considering chopping it in for a Defender, these are luxury don't get me wrong but the drivetrain is pure junk. The cost of repair is astronomical and everything needs plugging in to cure any issues, gone are the days of a true RANGE ROVER.

I would pm RRPhil he's the only one that can tell you definitively what's wrong with your gearbox and give you an idea of how to remedy it.

In fact I'm surprised he hasn't been along sooner.

Good luck  ______________________________
Simon
______________________________

Range Rover Classic 3.5 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 3.9 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 4.2 LSE - Sadly gone
Land Rover 110 3.5 - Gone
Range Rover P38a 4.0 SE - Pleased it's gone
Range Rover P38a 2.5 DHSE - Just sold
Range Rover L322 4.4 v8 Petrol - Current

My worry would be the friction modifier has cured the symptoms but not the problem....filter and fluid would be the next move id make.

I guess you just have to decide what action to take. If the TC hasnt gone and the box is free of debris then its much less than rebuild for the box.

....I love my Rangie now that the box is sorted. Drove from Dublin to London and cruised it, sure i could do that in a Defender or even a mini but you wont feel as fresh when you arrive.

Haha.. I agree, the range rovers are ridiculously comfortable, for a 4x4 there spot on, more comfortable than the new Mercedes Gml 4x4 ( I've been in one) in fact.
What I can't justify is spending the money for a box and TC on a vehicle that will be worth 1k less next year than I originally paid for it. Spend that on a Defender and it won't lose the money, they never have done, always held there value.
I'll certainly miss the luxury but practicality, ease & cost of repair to me will make up for the loss in luxury.
Out of curiosity, what bhp are the Td6? They rev extremely well for a diesel but I'm not sure what those revs achieve, reminds me of a teenagers 1 litre car with a big exhaust, all noise and no go haha.

Maybe I've just bought a 'bad' l322, a lot of people love them, my dad being one. I need to sit back and think about what to do next I think.

Quote:

I would pm RRPhil he's the only one that can tell you definitively what's wrong with your gearbox

As I mentioned, pm him on this forum and I'm sure he'll give you some sage advice. He's helped countless members on here.

Regards ______________________________
Simon
______________________________

Range Rover Classic 3.5 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 3.9 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 4.2 LSE - Sadly gone
Land Rover 110 3.5 - Gone
Range Rover P38a 4.0 SE - Pleased it's gone
Range Rover P38a 2.5 DHSE - Just sold
Range Rover L322 4.4 v8 Petrol - Current