So I bought this used 97 Dakota used with 180 k miles on it and I noticed what seems to be the transmission slipping. I am wondering if I should just switch out the filter (because ifrom the looks of it, the thing hasn't been changed in a while) or should I get a band adjustment? I threw in some lucas oil stop slip when I first noticed it happening but I haven't seen to much of a difference.. it starts to slip around 3rd gear or when ever I start accelerating past 50 mph. Any ideas or suggestions?

 

Slipping? Does it feel like it shifts; shifts again? Like its hunting the gear? I would change the fluids unless its black.. if its black that means it was never changed and some times when you flush those fluids you cause more of a problem..

I had a problem with 3rd where it would seem to hunt the gear; replaced Govoner Transducer (Solenoid) and its sensor; got Mopar off Ebay for like $100 bucks.. been doing great ever sense.

Also replaced the MAP sensor and the Tranny seems to want to actually drop drown gear like when turning and such; before if you didnt kick it into passing gear it wouldnt drop down. Now it does great. Got a Delphi off E-bay as well fro 22 bucks shipped. Works great!

 

be sure and get from auto-zone a 2210 external trans filter, 3/8 tube size. it is a magna-fine brand. for Dodges. i have one, i love it. there is an other brand different size wix 58964 5/16

 

@Jondakotaguy yeah it kinda seems like that is what it is doing. I think i will just switch out the filter and gasket. Any input on adjusting the tranny bands? My cousin is a auto tech for Ford and he says that the tranny could most likely need a band adjustment. Another question that i somewhat just noticed today, I looked under my truck and the left rack and pinion boot seems to be leaking power steering fluid and it is only coming out of that side. When i am driving there is a fair amount of tension while going around left turns. Any opinions on what to do about this and the cost of fixing this issue?

 

I don't have Rack/Pinion; but for the Auto's that I did have any thing with them I had a local guy look at and give me advise on.. so I'm not about to give you advise on it.. not in my knowledge and I dont wanna stear you wrong..

I know that on the band adjustment the service man says when to do it.. and most of the time previous owners dont go by the service schd. So It might not "hurt"

I was thinking the same thing; I have yet to adjust my bands.. even though I'm due and probally wanna do it.. but for the problems with shifting i was having was cured by replacing the Governor Transducer & Sensor; (for the slipping of shifts) then the Map sensor for the lack of properly shifting during acceleration; up hills and so on..

Truck has been running flawlessly since. Just my .02 of course.

 

Sweet, ill have to look into that then. What about did it cost ya for those items?

 

I think it would be wise to make sure your truck is running normally as far as tune up you know.

Check the fluids and do a service on the Transmission and all that. My didnt do much past 50 like your describing; it was more random every other time it seemed when it tried to shift into 3rd.. no matter what speed it was at.. it felt like a shift; shift again.. (hunting the gear)

This is the exact guy and parts i put in mine 44re trans:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170813778048...S:1123&vxp=mtr

It was pretty simple to do.. you can watch on Youtube or in the FAQ section/DIY section there should be some threads on the change out of parts.

And then I changed my MAP sensor because I read somewhere about the sympt. of not down shifting properly during turns; up hills and such.. and that resolved more shifting things.. because the MAP sensor is all part of the OBDII system that is controlling shifting and stuff..

If you do replace these I would recommend finding out from your glove box what transmission you have and cross reference the part.

And please remember; what I'm describing with these are hunting the gears; I'm not sure about what your describing past 50.. unless your talking about just lack of power and it not kicking down a gear.. or something.

But as I said i would do the band adjustment it wouldnt hurt.. and might be all part of it from lack of service.

Just remember old Mech's talk about tranny's.. if the fluid was never changed and it looks black they say dont change it.. once you do youll loose the particales and it could start slipping; maybee thats what happend; maybee thats what your describing. Who really knows you know.

 

Yeah, i know what you're saying. So do i just go ahead and start changing out the filter and if it starts pouring out black close it back up?

 

Have you checked your dipstick? Do you have an auto or manual? Because I'm talking about Auto.

 

Ya i have an auto and the dipstick is like a pinkish color. I took it into jiffy lube to get the system flushed and they refused to do it because they didnt want to be held responsible my Tranny going out. The dipstick says its full.