REPAIR SYSTEM 07
Transmission & driveline.
Automatics, manuals, torque converters, transfer cases, U-joints and axles. Diesel torque is hard on every part behind the engine.
ON YOUR TRUCK
What fails on your engine.
Pick your engine to see the transmission and driveline problems we see most on that generation, what you’ll notice, why it happens and how we fix it.
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Choose your engine above.
THE BASICS
How it works, and why it matters.
What it does
The transmission and driveline carry all of the engine's torque to the ground: the torque converter or clutch, the gearbox, the transfer case on 4x4s, the driveshafts and U-joints, and the axles. Diesel torque, towing and added power all load these parts far more than a gas truck does.
Why it matters
Fluid condition and heat decide how long an automatic lives. Slipping, flare-ups and harsh shifts usually start small and get worse quickly, and towing heavy on a slipping transmission can turn a repair into a replacement.
Warning signs
- Slipping or a high-RPM flare between gears
- Harsh, late or delayed shifts
- Shudder at light throttle (often the converter)
- Transmission temperature running high
- Clunks, vibration or a whine from the driveline
- Red fluid leaks
What we check
- Fluid level, condition and smell
- Codes and adaptive shift data on the scan tool
- Line pressure and converter clutch operation
- U-joints, carrier bearings and yokes
- Transfer case and axle fluid
Keep it healthy
- Service transmission fluid on a severe schedule if you tow
- Watch transmission temperature when towing
- Grease U-joints that have zerks