Can the 5SP Auto Trans be replaced with something stronger?

[JeremyF50]

If it's not the torque, what causes these trans to stuff up? Why don't they last as long as the old 4 speeds?

The torque rating must matter somewhat if holden chose them for the V8s instead of the 5 speeds.

 

[richardpalinkas]

I think it all comes down to servicing, although I only done it at 150,000km as per the book, but I left power mode on all the time so I think that it wouldn't have slipped too much compared to economy mode. I've read that really you should service the trans every 20,000km to keep it happy and last longer

 

[MiKExAUS]

I think it also makes a difference (less wear) if you drive in [4] rather than [D] because it's not always shifting up and down all the time/ being hesitant of the gear it's in..

 

[WL2005HBD]

The owners manual states 'transmission does not have a dipstick as it is sealed for life.'
Lol f-that
I get it serviced every 20,000km. 168,000 and going strong and I'm not light footed.

 

[JeremyF50]

Well I described the problem to a transmission specialist on the phone showed a mechanic - both seem the think it could be the front diff or the transfer case. I did some further reading online and this seems to be a common thing with the Adventra and it's something you need to keep an eye on.

The transfer case is expensive, though something I read suggests they may have dropped a lot in price a little while back. I also read that to work on the front diff (or was it change it?) you need to take out the engine.

Anyway the mechanic said he'll check it out on thursday during the service - hopefully they just need an oil change (I'm not sure if a normal mechanic does diff and transfer case oil changes or if that's a specialist thing?).

I'll report back how it goes.

 

[JeremyF50]

I think it also makes a difference (less wear) if you drive in [4] rather than [D] because it's not always shifting up and down all the time/ being hesitant of the gear it's in..

I just tested this. It works the same as my active select. If i drive too slow it will shift down gears to prevent stalling. It just prevents shifts into 5th gear. So i guess it does prevent wear slightly in the sense it won't shift above 4th but it'll still shift between 1st and 4th.

 

[MiKExAUS]

I just tested this. It works the same as my active select. If i drive too slow it will shift down gears to prevent stalling. It just prevents shifts into 5th gear. So i guess it does prevent wear slightly in the sense it won't shift above 4th but it'll still shift between 1st and 4th.

Well just think of it, since the average speed limit around town is 60-70 kph - there is no need to go into 5th gear, so rather than it always shifting into overdrive and then changing down whenever u tap the throttle it will just stay in 4th and if you put ur foot down abit it will just tug along without shifting.
When i'm driving through suburbia and theres alot of speed bumps i sometimes just active select and leave it in 3

 

[IBLOWN]

I think you'll find the clunk is the backlash in the diff. Not the box. Get under the car, grab the tail shaft while in park and i bet you have atleast a 1/4 turn backlash. Its not a bad thing, it wont blow or anything, its just a bit more backlash than needed.