Question:

I noticed that the transmission on my 00 Durango R/T shifts better and performs better under power when it is just starting to warm up. But when the tranny is at normal operating temperature, it does not perform so well? An example is when you give it gas while the tranny is still kinda in the cold stage, it holds the gear longer before it upshifts to another gear or when it I almost give full throttle, it downshifts just right to launch the durango. But when tranny is all warmed up, it feels like it lags and does not respond as good as it does when it is cold.

Is this normal or any suggestions? I always change out the tranny filter/fluid every 20k miles using ATF+3. Just recently changed out the oil on the transfer case using same ATF+3 and changed out both front and rear axle fluids.

 

Hm, kinda oposite how our's went on. We had the same problem but in reverse. It would hold 1st gear until near one minute into the drive then shift. It would also get loud and wouldn't shift until that magical 1 minute point. I like the 4.7 to stock tranny setup, but I'm assumin' you don't have the 4.7. Ended up havin' to call the dealer on it, but they didn't help us much.[:@] Just told us it was out of their hands and recomended, none other than a new tranny. So we decided to live with it. I'm not sure that helped much, but it loosened up near sale time.

-BigRig

 

If your tranny is stuck in a certain gear for much longer than it should, chances are the governor actuators may be at fault. My 00 R/T has teh 5.9. AT 21k miles, and still under warranty, one day, the tranny just crapped out on me. First and second gear was stuck, won't upshift unless I apply full throttle for a short second or two and the let off the gas to force it to upshift. Check engine light came on also.

Dealer confirmed it was the governor actuator switches was shot to hell. They replaced them under warranty and even reflashed my PCM under a TSB that came out for my 5.9. Since then, never had the gear sticking on me anymore. But at 50k miles, If I apply full throttle, the opposite happens, when it is time for the tranny to shift to the next higher gear, it does not, instead it gets stuck in neutral. It is a damn good thing that Dodge was able to put in a over-rev limiter to prevent me from over spinning my engine or else I may have blown the engine. I had both the transmission sensor located at the tail of the tranny and the speed output sensor on top of the rear axle changed out even when they "seemed" to be okay and computer was not showing failure codes on those sensors. Since both sensors been changed out, no more slipperage. Tranny runs fine now.

Just for additional FYI, I have been changing the Tranny oil every 20k miles with the default ATF+3 tranny oil. At 60k I had both front and rear axle fluids changed and also changed out the transfer case fluid. I did not know that the transfer case used regular ATF+3 oil and it was a little dark. Now I will have to add the transfer case as part of my 20k tranny oil change out schedule.

 

Hey Kensai,


Sounds like you need your bands adjusted. I bet they are out of specs. Talking to a trusted shop they said to have them tightened every year or 15K. It's usually a $100 job. Also when they are in there have them manually up your trans pressure. It will give you more performance and better life.

Hell it sounds like your ready for that Transgo shift kit ($300). I would definitely think about it. Not only will you get the shift kit you will also have the valve body cleaned out, and longer lasting trany.

 

Cool, that is something I never knew about and I am pretty sure it is not listed in the book. I will surely add this procedure to my tranny fluid change outs!

I have given your trangso kit some serious thought and may go with the upgrades as my D is running up to 69k miles so I need everything I can think of to keep the D running like new.

 

HS, question:

I talked to my mechanic about the bands, he does not work on the tranny too much. If he has to go into the tranny too deep, he usually takes it to his buddy that specialized in trannys. Do you know by chance what is involved in readjusting the bands and upping the trans pressure? And the transgo kit, does this need access and possibly playing around with the tranny valve body? May be easiest to take it to his tranny buddy to do this.

 

If you have the 45rfe there is no band ajustments just cluch pacs and sensors I just went through this a month ago. I also installed the trans go shift kit not the HD2 which just came out but the jr kit 30.00 the new kit is out now and it does require droping the valve body and also some electical wire jumping to here is the pdf instructions the kit is only 115.00 that is for the 45rfe http://www.apsprecision.com/45RFE%20...structions.pdf

I link to the kit
http://www.apsprecision.com/

[IMG]local://upfiles/30390/01BD0E7AD2A9416BB48EEB05D1FD3AC7.jpg[/IMG]

 

They will have to pull the valve body out to put the kit it. That is the plus. It cleans out the whole thing. You should have the 46RE trans which has bands and clutch pads. You want to get it in ASAP before your clutch pads wear out. It is worth the $300 bucks trust me. I would do it again without a doubt my mind. Even on a brand new car. It's stupid not to. Your trans will last 4 times as long because there is no slip on the clutch pads. As for the pressure, the trany man will take care of you. Just make sure he ups the pressure in all your gears. Make sure he knows what he's doing. If he doesn't know how to up your pressure don't take it to him. Have them up it not to the max but just below. Your truck will come alive. I would never lie to ya. Dude just don't think about, DO IT.

 

You convinced me! haha, I love my Gen1 Durango and don't want to wait for Tranny to have problems to fix it. I'll have to wait until after I do my taxes and see what I have leftover before performing this procedure!

I hope this fixes my CLANG! banging issue when I put this guy in reverse. If not, I am pretty sure it may be the transfer case making the banging noise when putting the durango in reverse from PARK position. Which is pretty normal I guess if you have full time AWD tranny system.