Bit of history.
Not long after we bought the car with about 90K on the clock, we had to have the gearbox (5sp ZF) rebuilt by TES Transmissions in Westbury, who did a great job.

One of the problems we had with the car was that selecting reverse gear, there would be a delay of a couple of seconds then the drive would engage with a bang, this gradually got worse until there was virtually no drive (like a slipping clutch). The box was diagnosed as a crack in the valve block, which was replaced when gearbox was rebuilt.

Over the past couple of weeks we are now seeing a bit of a delay when selecting Drive or Reverse from a standstill (all other changes up and down the box are fine), then if on a slope for example, there will be a slight thud when the drive engages.

We had the gearbox fluid level checked and that is OK and there are no signs of any leaks. We have had some issues with the car thinking its ABS and HDC is inactive, then its OK, then its not again.

My worry is that we could be looking at another hefty bill if its the same problems coming up again, but the car has not done a huge amount of mileage since the gearbox rebuild, and it does not do any towing, pretty much light duties.

I understand there are some switches on the side of the box (?), could it be something external causing this issue?

Any ideas gratefully received!

Car has done about 125K now so roughly 35K on the gearbox over 7 years

Any luck in sorting your issues?.
You mentioned the difficulty in engaging gears on a slope, did you have this problem previously before the box was rebuilt?. The reason I ask is that I also have this issue, but I have the 6 speed box, again fluid levels are correct.

Bumping this as I have the thump when selecting gear on a slope .. very interested in a resolve

I’ve just been informed it’s the transfer box chain that stretches causing this to thump

Thanks for the info. I guess that could well be the issue as its probably never been looked at. Don't suppose you have any idea of what the seriousness / consequences could be, or if its OK to live with it...

Ours also is worse when reversing onto a slope as we have a sloping drive.....

Guy's, That may cause the slight thump. But I can't see that this would cause any issues with engaging gears on a slope?.

I also have a drive that slopes, but tend to park on the flat part of the drive & have no issues with a thump or engaging gears on the flat.

It tends to point to a fluid level issue, but I know that the level is correct. Torque converter???.

In our case we get the thump when on the flat, might be a bit of a red herring with the sloping drive! The way the lane is we have to drive past the house, reverse back at 90 degrees then drive forward across the lane to straighten up, then onto the sloped drive, its at this point we get the thump, so sequence is in drive, then reverse, then drive and reverse again. Trans fluid has been checked and TC was replaced with new when gearbox was rebuilt and we don't get the fluttering rev counter needle

I can see why the chain could be an issue with yours due to the amount of maneuvering required. I do get a slight thump / clunk when selecting low ratio, so I assume that I also have some play in the transfer box chain.

You mentioned about not having a fluctuating rev counter. I did have this before I changed the transmission oil, but now steady as a rock?.

Going to get the transfer box oil level checked out. My wife drives the car more than I do and its only used for short journeys really, when I drive it I tend to find somewhere quiet and drop it into low ratio for a short time and if on any longer drives will use sport mode to give the box a bit of exercise!

I was speaking to my mech earlier and it was him and another chap who mentioned the chain.. my transfer box fluid is changed every year on mine so rules out that.. he says it’s nothing to worry about .. mines is perfect on the flat but the slightest of incline and it will do it..

Just had the clunk with difficulty in engaging gears on a slope. I'm assuming that this is just the slack in the chain being taken up or am I into something more .

Anyone manage to resolve this??

I get a CLUNK when i first engage D from P in the morning. After that it seems fine. Have been told its because i am parked on a slight slope and its normal to have a clunk. Anyone else get this> ?

Post #53550226th Nov 2019 11:07am
I get a CLUNK when i first engage D from P in the morning. After that it seems fine. Have been told its because i am parked on a slight slope and its normal to have a clunk. Anyone else get this> ?

I got told when on a slope to put in N then release the handbrake and then put it in D. It’s some pin moving in/out but with load on it (none technical description), but it works.