NOISY OD - please help

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NOISY OD - please help[200/85] posted by Tomasz Szumigaj on
Thursday, 22 October 1998, at 5:32 p.m.

My M46 is a bit noisy. I'm assuming it is an OD.
The noise appear when driving on all gears.
When the OD in on the noise disappear.
Could it be a worn bearing ???
How about if I use different (more dense) oil. Now I'm useing ATF DEXTRON III. Has anybody tried syntetic motor oil (10W30).
Is it going to kill it completely ?

Thanks for your opinions
Tomasz

Re: NOISY OD - please help[200/85] posted by Duane on
Thursday, 22 October 1998, at 10:28 p.m.

There is a bearing that does not spin within itself when the OD is engaged. That bearing is now in need of replacement.

Just changing to Type F. ATF will be an improvement over the Dextron which IS NOT a replacement for type F just as Type II Dextron was not made for use as Type F. ATF.

The damage is done to the bearing. How long it will last is anybody's guess. Save for a repair as soon as possible. If (when) the bearing fails it will damage more than itself in the OD raising your repair bill very rapidly.

Either of those are better than the Dextron you have in it now. Depending upon your climate you may be able to leave it in all year if the temp never gets below 20 degrees F. Neither will kill the OD, since the damage is already present.

By the way, if a mechanic replaced the ATF and used the Dextron, you may have to fight a little but the courts will make the mechanic pay since he damaged your OD by not using the correct fluid the manufacturer specified.

Duane
83 245 DL LH 2.0 M46wOD 168xxx
85 245 GL LH 2.2 AW71 124xxx
The OD Guru (Laycock Only)

Re: NOISY OD - please help[200/85] posted by Tom Frisardi on
Friday, 23 October 1998, at 9:30 a.m.

I had exactly the same experience on my '86 740GLE w/M-46 six years ago, when the car had 100,000 miles on it. I drained the Dexron (noting much particulate from damaged O/D clutch facings and probably bearings, too) and removed the O/D sump. I cleaned both filters (the one you'll find just inside the sump and the fine filter inside the plug that you're supposed to use a spanner wrench to remove, but I have R&R'd with a couple of closely fitting punches and a prybar crosswise between them) and refilled with ATF type F. Haven't touched it since then, except for (many) electric repairs. My wife and I have driven the car another 89,000 miles (189,000 total on the car) and the O/D clutch bearing has been noisy the entire time. (This is the bearing that is noisy when the O/D is disengaged, and quiet when the O/D is engaged.) The O/D itself has recovered pretty well. Initially, it had trouble with engagement. I think that the Dexron did a number on the engagement piston o-rings, too. I have no intention of taking apart the O/D. Unless your O/D clutch bearing is really loud, I would change the fluid, clean the filters, and not worry about it. Good luck. --
Tom Frisardi

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