Transmission Problem - Need Advice

Topic: Transmission Problem - Need Advice (Read 2307 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Transmission Problem - Need Advice

Reply #25 – April 30, 2020, 10:28:43 pm

Update!

I had an Allison transmission technician look at my RV today. He connected a computer to the diagnostic port on my RV (very interesting, by the way!), and looked at many different parameters of my transmission. The good news, my transmission is squeaky clean - from the diagnostic codes to the clutch packs (five evidently - I didn't know that), and even the synthetic fluid is in great shape. Apparently, the problem is NOT the transmission.

In the process of doing the diagnostic, one of the pieces of information he was able to see was the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS). Evidently, it was reading "50%", even though the engine was idling at 600 rpm. He said that was very likely the culprit. So, he removed it, and said the cable wasn't sliding easily in and out of the sensor, which is evidently a simple mechanical variable resistor. So, the diagnosis is to simply replace it.

In the process of watching him and asking him questions, I learned quite a bit about the engine and transmission. It isn't such a mystery to me anymore how it all works. Another thing I learned about is that rectangular diagnostic under the dashboard. He says it is sort of like an "ODB-1" or "Pre-ODB" connector. I want to learn more about this because from what I saw, it appears it can provide quite a bit of important information. Anyone know about that port and the kinds of data I can get from it? I'd really like a connector linked to a laptop of tablet so I could read that information.

I suspect he will be back with the part early next week and then the saga will continue. Expect another update from me after that.

Thanks everyone for your help!

Mark

Re: Transmission Problem - Need Advice

Reply #26 – April 30, 2020, 11:30:18 pm

Mark,

You probably have a mechanical Cummins 8.3, correct? The OBD connector is either flat in one row over the other or a round connector. A Pro-Link 9000 will connect to your computer on your transmission. The Pro-Link reader is usually available on ebay for not that much $$ but the Allison cartridge that slides in the back is a bit more rare and expensive. The Ford/Chev cartridges are only worth $5 or $10 where the cartridge for Detroit Diesel DDEC I, II, III or IV and are at least $75 to $200. Cummins are even more. Ask the shop about the Pro-Link 9000.

Here is what the Pro-Link looks like. They have been out of production for quite a while but work well. Cartridges were made for Allison, Meritor brakes, MBZ, Mac, Volvo, CAT, etc. https://aepsurplus.com/custom/auctionArchiveDetail.cfm?aID=1198

Here is the cartridge Allison World Transmission owners are looking for. Cheap at $200. NEXIQ MPSI Pro-Link ALLISON WORLD TRANSMISSION Diagnostic Cartridge 201009 |...

Here are the Allison fault codes: Allison Transmission 3000/4000 series fault code list - Truck manual, wiring... The Pro-Link 9000 does more than read the codes and can change certain operating peramaters but since I don't have the cartridge, I can't tell which ones. Your shop knows.

Pro-Link 9000 Allison cartridge user manual: Nexiq Pro-Link Allison Transmission Cartridge User Manual Prolink | eBay

Pierce

Re: Transmission Problem - Need Advice

Reply #27 – May 05, 2020, 07:58:52 am

Quote from: defendertx – April 28, 2020, 01:21:35 pm

The tow truck driver pulled one axle only - driver's side. He did not pull both axles. The tow was about 45 miles. Any possibility this could have damaged my transmission?

Thanks

Mark
, I had a tow on my villa a few years ago, and first thing he did was get underneath and removed the drive shaft, on axle end, and secured it up with rope, he told me it was necessary to do this to avoid damage to automatic gearbox, well when he removed the shaft, their are two cups that hold about 32 needle beings on each side and a few of the needles went on floor, was their for ages making sure that we didn't miss one,
Kev

Re: Transmission Problem - Need Advice

Reply #28 – May 05, 2020, 10:21:55 am

Kev,

While the truck driver is correct that uncoupling the driveshaft will eliminate the possibility of transmission damage, it has it's own set of problems. First, it may be difficult to get under the coach to unbolt the shaft. If it is done, it's easy to lose a fastener between this operation and putting it back together days or weeks later in the shop. Yes, needle bearing may fall out and may be hard to find in the dark and did the driver index the driveshaft so when it is bolted back together, it will operate without any vibration? Not all shops will torque the shaft correctly.

So, with all these possibilities, it's so much easier to spend the $39 for the poly caps for the hubs and pull BOTH axles. No chance of a mistake and faster too.

Pierce

Re: Transmission Problem - Need Advice

Reply #29 – May 05, 2020, 11:53:49 am

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – May 05, 2020, 10:21:55 am

So, with all these possibilities, it's so much easier to spend the $39 for the poly caps for the hubs and pull BOTH axles. No chance of a mistake and faster too.
Pierce

Agreed, twice had tow, once when first bought FT with bad fuel lines, and once w/Monaco. Each time, driver had to use mallet to remove u-joint, damaging the u-joint. Doing install both times, tech recommended replacing u-joint, which I did.

Please post link to $39 poly caps. I want to carry a pair.

Re: Transmission Problem - Need Advice

Reply #30 – May 05, 2020, 12:57:59 pm

Look at axlecap.net

Ken

Re: Transmission Problem - Need Advice

Reply #31 – May 05, 2020, 01:40:34 pm

Quote from: Jack L – May 05, 2020, 11:53:49 am

Agreed, twice had tow, once when first bought FT with bad fuel lines, and once w/Monaco. Each time, driver had to use mallet to remove u-joint, damaging the u-joint. Doing install both times, tech recommended replacing u-joint, which I did.

Please post link to $39 poly caps. I want to carry a pair.

Axle Caps (Meritor/Rockwell 8-Bolt)

Re: Transmission Problem - Need Advice

Reply #32 – May 05, 2020, 02:12:22 pm

Probably a good idea to buy the gaskets too. $12 for quite a few at: Gaskets for 10 pc.Motorcoach Set

P

Re: Transmission Problem - Need Advice

Reply #33 – May 05, 2020, 08:20:42 pm

for those interested.............. the caps listed in Craneman's link are 8 bolt pattern and the gaskets listed in Pierce"s link are 10 bolt.

Just didn't want someone to order both thinking they were the same bolt pattern.

Re: Transmission Problem - Need Advice

Reply #34 – May 06, 2020, 12:21:26 am

Craneman per the link you attached in reply # 31 I would assume your 99 U320 is the 8 bolt pattern?? I want to order some for my 99 U320 but without looking at the unit I am unsure if it is the 8 or 10 pattern.

Re: Transmission Problem - Need Advice

Reply #35 – May 06, 2020, 01:12:05 am

Quote from: FourTravelers – May 05, 2020, 08:20:42 pm

for those interested.............. the caps listed in Craneman's link are 8 bolt pattern and the gaskets listed in Pierce"s link are 10 bolt.

Just didn't want someone to order both thinking they were the same bolt pattern.

Quote from: FourTravelers – May 05, 2020, 08:20:42 pm

for those interested.............. the caps listed in Craneman's link are 8 bolt pattern and the gaskets listed in Pierce"s link are 10 bolt.

Just didn't want someone to order both thinking they were the same bolt pattern.

I think this is a set of gaskets for the 10 piece cap set, not ten lugs. In other words, there are 20 gaskets for the 10 different pairs of caps. I was exchanging emails with Craneman today and he thinks each set of two caps comes with gaskets. Makes sense and I will call the company tomorrow. The pictures are good but the wording leaves a little to be desired.

P

Re: Transmission Problem - Need Advice

Reply #36 – May 06, 2020, 05:18:17 am

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – May 06, 2020, 01:12:05 am

I think this is a set of gaskets for the 10 piece cap set, not ten lugs. In other words, there are 20 gaskets for the 10 different pairs of caps. I was exchanging emails with Craneman today and he thinks each set of two caps comes with gaskets. Makes sense and I will call the company tomorrow. The pictures are good but the wording leaves a little to be desired.

P

Maybe so............ I just noticed the gaskets had 10 holes and the caps had 8, two different bolt configurations.

Re: Transmission Problem - Need Advice

Reply #37 – May 06, 2020, 06:42:34 am

Quote from: muskyman475 – May 06, 2020, 12:21:26 am

I want to order some for my 99 U320 but without looking at the unit I am unsure if it is the 8 or 10 pattern.

Chuck,

Your coach will be an 8 bolt. You will need the MR8D-1 for the 5/8" studs that your axle has.
Price List

Mike

Re: Transmission Problem - Need Advice

Reply #38 – May 06, 2020, 11:39:32 am

OK, problem solved. I called Wayne Olson at Froxlor Server Management Panel and asked him about the covers. Chuck was correct in that all cover pairs come with gaskets. Extra gaskets are about a buck. He suggested that once the caps are received, the gaskets could be siliconed to the back on the cap so it would be ready for use and not have to look for the gasket when the occasion arises. He also said that most Foretravels will take the MR8D-1 cover.
Contact:
Wayne Olson
Olson & Company
23664 KEEN RD
CHANCE, MD 21821
PH: 410-784-7029
info@axlecap.net

Pierce

Re: Transmission Problem - Need Advice

Reply #39 – May 06, 2020, 02:33:52 pm

So I've got 10 lugs holding wheel on and only 8 holding the axle in place?

Re: Transmission Problem - Need Advice

Reply #40 – May 06, 2020, 02:36:46 pm

Yes. Most of us do.

Re: Transmission Problem - Need Advice

Reply #41 – May 06, 2020, 04:28:16 pm

I made my own out of cutting boards, then made the gaskets out of the correct material and siliconed them in place. Total cost about $4
JohnH

Re: Transmission Problem - Need Advice

Reply #42 – May 06, 2020, 05:35:06 pm

Quote from: Tommy D – May 06, 2020, 02:33:52 pm

So I've got 10 lugs holding wheel on and only 8 holding the axle in place?

The axle is not carying the weight, the wheel bearings are.

Re: Transmission Problem - Need Advice

Reply #43 – May 06, 2020, 07:40:46 pm

Quote from: Tommy D – May 06, 2020, 02:33:52 pm

So I've got 10 lugs holding wheel on and only 8 holding the axle in place?

You have 10 lug nuts holding the wheel onto a "hub" with two big bearings carrying all the weight and shock Gs from potholes, etc. plus lateral force. The axle just sits there with the much smaller studs/nuts having to carry the twisting force from acceleration, etc. It's almost along for the ride.

So what is the misconception? Good question. In most cars and half ton pickup, the axle carries the weight of the car and if it breaks out at the end, the tire/wheel/end of the axle all flop down on the street and the vehicle may crash. They are not so easy to change as the bearings are just pressed on in some cars, others have a snap ring holding the bearing in place. If a car is overloaded, the axle may slide out and hit the fender well. The reason for the snap ring. Full floating rear axles have two bearings that I mentioned above, a big plus.

The 3/4 ton trucks (even Austin Healy Sprites) have the "full floating" hubs. On anything over a half mile track, stock cars have to have full floating hubs so if the axle breaks, the car just stops but nothing falls off. My race car had semi-floating rear axle, a little lighter and less unsprung weight so a few hundreds of a second faster per lap but I could not race on the big tracks like Riverside, Ontario. The brother car to mine did have the full floating rear end so could race anywhere.

Here is a good video showing the difference between semi-floating and full floating rear axles:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFu-6tckyc8

Pierce

Re: Transmission Problem - Need Advice

Reply #44 – May 09, 2020, 12:16:50 am

In an emergency, cardboard could be used to cover the axle open end after removing BOTH axles. Something is needed to keep rear axle gear oil from leaking out.

But we carry Axle Caps.

Re: Transmission Problem - Need Advice

Reply #45 – May 28, 2020, 10:22:13 am

All - an update:

Though a forum member, I was able to contact a transmission technician who came to my home to look at and repair the problem. As I mentioned earlier, it appears to be the TPS (Throttle Position Sensor). After that component was replaced and calibrated, everything seems to be working fine. For anyone interested in knowing more about who I used for this service, please reach out to me directly. I was very pleased with the service from this individual. They even spotted something else on my engine that, while not urgent, probably needs to be addressed. They appear to be very knowledgeable and easy to work with, and I found the cost reasonable given the fact that I didn't have to tow the vehicle anywhere.

Next step is to take the RV into Houston to have to axles removed, re-seated with new gaskets, and some minor engine work done.

A big thanks to everyone on this forum who educated me through this process. I'm especially grateful Rudy for generously giving his time to help me.

Mark

Affiliate Notice