Overdrive Clutch Shudder

[SeaComms]

Hi all,

Have just got an automatic VL on the road for my daughter, but after driving round this afternoon for the first time have noticed when it drops into lock up mode under any load the clutch shudders very badly until you back off then it locks into place and all is good. If it changes when under no load, ie nice flat road and gentle acceleration, it is fine.

Is this the start of the end? Was thinking of just disconnecting the clutch solenoid to disable the lockup but keep overdrive - any opinions? Bearing in mind it is her first car and in no disrespect to her or her driving, I honestly dont expect the rest of the car to last too long....

[jatsvl]

the clutch lock up is overdrive and it's ok to disconnect it you'll still have 4 gears and she won't notice anything.

[rb26dett]

Usually the first sign of problems with a Jatco box.

[SeaComms]

OK, so its not just a case of the box needing a service, it is telling me the clutch is gunna fail huh. I had a VL myself back in bout '90 and the clutch failed on that one (fell apart) and went through the box blocking the oil galleries and cooked it in the middle of a trip from Sydney to Canberra - hence my concern

Think I will disconnect it on the weekend when I see her just to be safe

[rb26dett]

A good tip for jatcos is to run a trans cooler, that will help prolong the life of the gearbox.

[mag]

A good tip for jatcos is to run a trans cooler, that will help prolong the life of the gearbox.

It's good to run a trans cooler on any auto..

Drop 20degs and it doubles the life..

[harry3]

also jack up the trsnsmission a bit to see if the rubber rear engine mounting rubbers have split