VR Gearbox lazey

[Perry]

Hey guys,

the gear box in my VR seams to be a bit lazy, when you put it into drive you have to wait about 4 seconds for it to engage. But when you put it into reverse it goes in straight away. I've done a service on the gearbox, (new filter and fluid, which was quite dirty). its made a difference in changing gears but the the laziness of when putting it into drive has stayed the same, It it normal or is there something wrong

[hako]

There is usually a second or two delay but when it gets longer to select drive it usually indicates general wear for which there is no easy fix other than an overhaul. I'd just keep driving it as it is...maybe do another fluid change to flush more old oil out and maybe add a can of transmission treatment which will make the clutches grab more firmly. A reco will cost up to $2000 which is a lot to spend on an old car unless you plan on keeping it for years.

[pjdm1980]

Is it only happening when it's cold or when it's warmed up as well?

[Perry]

There is usually a second or two delay but when it gets longer to select drive it usually indicates general wear for which there is no easy fix other than an overhaul. I'd just keep driving it as it is...maybe do another fluid change to flush more old oil out and maybe add a can of transmission treatment which will make the clutches grab more firmly. A reco will cost up to $2000 which is a lot to spend on an old car unless you plan on keeping it for years.

yea true, ill give it a few weeks and drop the fluid again

Is it only happening when it's cold or when it's warmed up as well?

it goes into gear quicker when its cold

[shiftySLE]

have yo checked the fluid again after running the car after the service you did, just sounds like low oil. maybe needs the band adjusted, when was the last time it had a proper service. When refilling the oil, you should run the gears through (hold the brake and put the car in D then R a few times) then check it. Do this until its picking up gears, then start checking the dipstick. You'll end putting another half a litre to a litre after you run oil through the whole box.

[Perry]

have yo checked the fluid again after running the car after the service you did, just sounds like low oil. maybe needs the band adjusted, when was the last time it had a proper service. When refilling the oil, you should run the gears through (hold the brake and put the car in D then R a few times) then check it. Do this until its picking up gears, then start checking the dipstick. You'll end putting another half a litre to a litre after you run oil through the whole box.

yea we did, it took another 1.5l . i followed a guide on hear and i did put it thought every gear.

i noticed tonight when you put it into D it kind dumps it self ,when you select R it goes in straight away.

How do i adjust the bands

[hako]

You cannot adjust the bands without disassembling the transmission...the only things within the scope of the average Joe Blow is a fluid/filter change or change solenoids. More enthusiastic types fit shift kits but band adjustment is done with shims etc on assembly (I think!)

[shiftySLE]

I would get an auto guy to do it, once things get to the internals, you'll be surprised how many parts are inside, a lot are small as too, the valve body will have to come off, best bet if you want to do it is get a full exploded pic of the auto or a rebuild manual if you are serious about doing your own auto work.

[shiftySLE]

You can adjust the bands, the auto doesn't come out with a service and that is what is involved, but if you stuff it up, you'll burn out a lot of parts that wouldn't have needed replacing otherwise or bad slippage or many other things, they are too complicated to give step by step in words, some things are given names just from people get used to. My favorite is the 'scrag'.
DIY is the best way to learn too so good on ya for giving a go and not just handing it over every time to get ripped off. Sometimes but, you just have to leave it to the specialist but watch and/or ask what they have done and ask for old bits so you know what happened. Knowing what is wrong is good but knowing why it went wrong is better, doing it yourself is the best. (Easier said than done sometimes)

[hako]

If you do get a hankering to pull the auto apart check this site for full details with pictures:
4L60E Transmission Rebuild pictures and exploded parts diagrams How to - MinnesotaMud.com Forums
This bloke is really keen.

[Perry]

i think ill take it to one of the auto guys around orange, other than this little problem its a good car