Transmission ?????'s - Diesel Forum

Lil_R · 03-09-2006, 02:18 PM

I've started to notice that my transmission feels like it has slack or something is not completely in gear when I take off from a dead stop. It's not the the hesitation when shifting from park or reverse into D but this happens everytime I start from a complete stop. I'm assuming it a clutch engaging/disengaging but it seems to have gotten worse in the last few months, maybe I'm imagining things. It feels kind of like having a worn out U-joint or pulling a trailer with a reciever hitch or loose bumper. It always feels like there's slack somewhere but everything is tight. It's worse when I'm pulling something too. Something tells me its the clutches inside the tranny because you can feel something disengage right before you come to a complete stop then engage when starting to move again. If I don't completely come to a stop and then accelerate again you don't feel it. Maybe it stays in gear. Anyway its hard to explain, but I think yall get the general picture.
The truck is an '03 (April build) with about 80,000 miles on it. I've only had one reflash back in Dec. '03. I change the tranny fluid every 20,000 miles and haven't detected anymore metal shavings accumulated in the inline filter than any other time, fluid smells the same too. I don't know if there is a flash to correct this or I may have bigger problems. I remember a couple of years ago about some pin or key working its way loose in the tranny but haven't heard too much on this either. I've been out of the loop here for a couple of years and the truck hasn't been to the shop for anything major. It would take me too much time to wade through all the posts using the search function so I'm hoping one of the 6.0L gurus might recognize the problem and point me in the right direction. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

Lil_R [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]

Black05 · 03-09-2006, 02:24 PM

I had the same issue. The dealer repacked the splines with grease where the two piece drive shaft joins together at the carrier bearing. Problem solved and done under warranty.

Lil_R · 03-09-2006, 08:33 PM

I would be shocked if adding grease on those splines would solve the problem. All the idications lean toward a problem or glitch in the tranny. I will try and add grease to the splines and see if that works. Is there a grease fitting to supply the splines with grease or will I need to disconnect and add grease that way? I know my old '88 had a grease fitting in that area. Don't know about these trucks. Any other suggestions out there? Thanks Black05 for your input. I hope it's that simple. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Lil_R [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]

Larry202br · 03-12-2006, 10:52 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I had the same issue. The dealer repacked the splines with grease where the two piece drive shaft joins together at the carrier bearing. Problem solved and done under warranty.

[/ QUOTE ]

Do you know if there are zerk fittings to grease those splines? If not, do you have to remove the drive shafts to grease the splines?

Thanks!

weraracer · 03-12-2006, 11:16 AM

remove the driveshaft, pull back the boot, and throw in some good grease. it worked wonders on my old ranger. i drove the track for years thinkin the tranny was going or the rear end (which a ford mechanic actually told me when i brought it in - he said everything in the rear end hasd to be replaces - what a ^&*%$#), nope - just the driveshaft the whole time.

Fireferg73 · 03-12-2006, 09:06 PM

I had a similar problem. Mine would "clunk" when coming to a stop or when pulling off the line. Other than that, tranny felt fine. Very annoying, so say the least. Was under warranty, so took it to the dealer. Re-greased slip yoke assembly with new Teflon grease, no more problem [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Good luck,
Jay

Lil_R · 03-14-2006, 09:08 PM

My Dad pulled a trailer with my truck the other day. When he brought the truck back he told me I should check my rear bumper bolts and make sure they are tight. He said me bumper felt like it was loose. I told him that the bolts are tight and that its just my driveshaft. I said that I was told to dis-connect the drive shaft and re-grease the splines on the connection behind the carrier bearing. He just laughed and said, "Whatever." Guess I'll have to prove him wrong when I find the time to do this. I hope it's just that. Thanks guys.

Lil_R [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]

Black05 · 03-14-2006, 11:15 PM

This will solve the "loose feeling/grab" when taking off or stopping. I just had this done at the dealer before the 36K warranty ran out, and the truck drives like it did when it was brand new. I guess this will become an every 30K - 35K maintenance item now that the 36K warranty is gone.

Lil_R · 03-15-2006, 02:07 PM

Well slap my grandma the grease trick worked. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] I had a few minutes today so I disconnected the driveshaft and spread a little grease on the splines then reconnected. I pulled her out of the barn and took off and by God the slack/loose/pop was gone. Like Black05 said, it drives like it did when it was brand new. No more loose feeling anymore. How can a little grease make this much difference? My truck's out of warranty so I did it myself no problem. I agree on it now being part of my maintenance from now on. The driveshaft was hard to seperate at where it is bolted to the back rear differential but a few light taps with chisel and hammer and it popped loose. Thanks fellow dieselstoppers.

Lil_R [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]