Rough 1-2 shift. Anything I can do?

[avatar28]

Transmission struggles with the 1-2 shift. Under hard acceleration it seems to shift later than I would expect for a given amount of throttle and often not at all until I let off the gas slightly. When it does shift it is extremely rough. It doesn't happen all the time. Light to medium acceleration (shift around 3000-3500 rpm) is sometimes as smooth as can be. Maybe related, when driving at certain speeds (40-50 mph) where you just barely feather the gas pedal the car shudders (from the torque converter locking and unlocking?) a bit.

Basically is there anything I can do to help it or do I just need to be saving my pennies for a tranny rebuild? Would changing the filter and flushing the transmission fluid help or just make it worse?

 

[EL SHO]

Most likely you need a rebuild for the tranny soon. The rough 1-2 shift is due to a servo inside the transmission, if Im not mistaken, and to get to it you need to drop the trans to fix it so it would make sense to overhaul the trans while is out.

You could try changing the fluid with fresh one and/or some high mileage trans fluid to see if it smooths out the shifts, but thats a gamble

 

[avatar28]

Most likely you need a rebuild for the tranny soon. The rough 1-2 shift is due to a servo inside the transmission, if Im not mistaken, and to get to it you need to drop the trans to fix it so it would make sense to overhaul the trans while is out.

You could try changing the fluid with fresh one and/or some high mileage trans fluid to see if it smooths out the shifts, but thats a gamble

I was afraid of that. I guess I'll plan on doing the fluid change too.Is this still the recommended flush method? Want to make sure I'm clear.

1. Disconnect the line from the cooler and put it into a bucket.
2. Start the car and run it until the fluid starts sputtering and immediately shut it off.
3. Add fluid back in through the fill tube (dipstick location?).
4. Start the car and run it until it starts sputtering again. At this point, did I just pump out all of the fresh fluid I put in?
5. Reconnect the line I disconnected and finish filling it up.

Do I need the 13 or so quarts of fluid or do I need 13 plus the 5-10 quarts I put in initially?

 

[SHOtimer]

You need at about 13 quarts total.

The shifting problems you are talking about are due to the transmission wearing out and the clutch packs aging.

Just like the older you get the harder it is to do things that you used to find easy.

Be nice to it and it will last you awhile longer. Beat on it, and save your $ for a rebuild.

Doug

 

[SHOdded]

And look into upgrading your ATX lines per this post here http://www.shoforum.com/showpost.php?p=971129&postcount=2. This should help in shifting and longevity.

 

[Irish Pride]

Beat on it till it fails then buy an MTX and swap your motor into the MTX.

 

[lincster2]

Do not flush

What ever you do, do not flush the trans.
If you have the trans flushed at a shop they will most likely hook it up to a machine that pumps fluid backwards... Messing up the crud in the trans, jamming it against little valves and such.
I had a lot of old rides with rough shifting,lazy auto trans & what I did was this...

A. Remove trans pan

B. R & R. Filter & gasket

C. Replace trans pan.

D. Add a pint of "trans tune" an transmission cleaner. Top off with the correct trans fluid.

E. Drive around a couple of thousand of miles, then repeat above steps.

If after 2 or 3 cycles if it doesn't improve well your only out about 70 / 80 bucks

I've done this to about 4 cars now & all improved greatly.

 

[avatar28]

Thanks, Lincster. If I was going to flush it I would use the method I linked to purge all the old fluid and replace it. Seems like it might be better to use your method first and then the linked method to make sure I get all the old stuff out.

Chad, if I go your route are you going to help me do the swap?

 

[BlooDSMeaR]

I had doubts with oil additives, How ever my 93 had the same issues your describing. slow to shift 1-2. some shudder , and the trans felt like it was coming apart. I did a filter change and added 2 bottles of Lucas trans fluid. The first bottle was a slight difference but I was low after warm up, so added another one. The second bottle made a world of difference. The trans smoothed out , shifting was like it should be. I am now a believer in it.

https://www.lucasoil.com/products/d...&loc=show&headTitle= - Lucas Transmission Fix