Cheers everyone,

I'm having two smaller problems with my gearbox and would like to hear your opinion of what the culprit might be.
First thing is, that when going from "D" over "N" to "R" or from "N" to "R" it will most of the time "bang" in the gear. Not extremely loud, but noticeable and "feelable".
Driving in R is no problem, going from "P" to "R" is no problem either. What might that be?!

The other problem is: when in slow traffic, accelerating a little, then going off the pedal, car is rolling and engine RPMs are going down to idle speed, when I then press the pedal again it bangs and gets into gear. But only in (I think) 2nd gear, and ONLY if the RPMs are below 1000 rpm.
When I am going a little bit faster and the transmission is in 3rd gear, it won't happen.
If the engine speed is above 1000rpm it won't happen neither.

I'm no expert on automatic gearboxes though. So what might be going on there?
Thanks a lot for any help!

 

How many miles on truck and when is the last time you serviced it.... meaning changed the fluid and both filters?

 

I bought it like that and there is no info if and when it has been serviced.
The car has 125.000 miles on the clock. I planned to change oil and filters, soon. But would like to know if it makes sense to change anything else maybe while the pan is off though.

 

drivetrain slop? How are your u-joints and such?

 

Changing fluid and filters is all it may need, but you may have to run it and drain again, since it may be original fluid. It takes roughly 6-7 quarts per drain (Supertech ATF+4 from Walmart is cheapest and just as good as any other.) The higher you lift the front, the more it drains. I drilled the drain pan and put an aftermarket drain plug on mine. Makes things a whole lot easier. When you change the screen filter, make sure you are removing the old O-ring on the neck. Don't get creative and do any flushes or trying to pump it out under power. I've seen guys do damage that way by sucking air. Truck should be off when drained till filled again.

 

Thanks for your advice, will order new ATF+4 and the filters, I planned to do it anyway.
I also received two new U-joints today, as I have a very slight vibration when accelerating and I think the U-joints are starting to wear out, so will replace them anyway.

I also noticed, that when driving around, and then stopping and getting into reverse directly works normally. But when I'm stationary and wait for a few seconds and then shift into reverse, it gives that little bang.

But will try it with the new oil first.

Thanks a lot everyone!

 

Get the Mopar spin on tranny filter. It has the anti-drainback valve in it that most aftermarkets don't.

 

Thanks, good to know!
Will give that a go and report back once I'm done.
It's not always easy to source these parts over here though. But the filter should be available I think.

 

One more question as I am currently in the garage and checked the driveline.
How much of a "play" is acceptable for the drive shaft to turn with the rear wheels blocked (gearbox in P)
I can move the drive shaft approx. 1.5mm in total (so from one end to the other). That's 0.06 inches.
Is that still OK?
I will change the u-joints now anyway, but couldn't find any data on the differential.
Thanks a lot.

 

There will always be some slop in the driveline. What you are seeing it well within the acceptable range.