The 75 and ZT Owners Club Forums - View Single Post

SD1too · 24th October 2018, 10:46

I think you're making a big mistake Ken and I'll tell you why.

Forget about Jaguar and Mazda, the automatic gearbox in the 75/ZT was not subject to recalls and is about as reliable as you could hope to achieve. Mine is pre-2003, 1999 in fact, and has been completely trouble-free. As this forum testifies, the only problems are the reverse piston (for which an uprated part is available) and the solenoid valves. Both are by no means regular occurrances. I challenge you to find a report of any other fault with the 75/ZT gearbox.

Your reverse piston failure, the most severe we have heard of judging by your description, will affect fluid pressure which, in turn, will result in your forward gears slipping. I think you will find that once you have renewed the piston and changed the fluid (using N402 spec. of course) that it will be smooth and quiet (unless it has been subject to abuse at some time in its life of course).

What is a "known good one"? It's a 75/ZT which you have driven, of which the entire service history is available and the previous owners are known to be responsible, mechanically sympathetic people. The gearbox is then removed and delivered to you. If you really think that you can achieve that, I urge you to think again. What you will get is a whole load of claims whose authenticity you cannot prove.

In my experience "repair what you've got whenever possible" is the most cost effective philosophy for trouble-free long term ownership. You are in a position to do that by renewing the reverse piston which is a low financial outlay. If it doesn't work, you haven't lost much. Give it a chance, please Ken. But if you must replace the whole lot, your only safe bet is to buy a gearbox refurbished by a professional specialist such as JP Automatic Transmissions in Somerset (whom I can recommend having bought parts from them). This will be very expensive of course, which is why you should not give up on the repair.

Simon

24th October 2018, 10:46	#26
SD1too Doesn't do things by halves Rover 75 2.5 Connoisseur Auto (1999) Dealer launch model. Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Former Middlesex Posts: 20,382 Thanks: 1,587 Thanked 3,749 Times in 3,181 Posts	I think you're making a big mistake Ken and I'll tell you why. Forget about Jaguar and Mazda, the automatic gearbox in the 75/ZT was not subject to recalls and is about as reliable as you could hope to achieve. Mine is pre-2003, 1999 in fact, and has been completely trouble-free. As this forum testifies, the only problems are the reverse piston (for which an uprated part is available) and the solenoid valves. Both are by no means regular occurrances. I challenge you to find a report of any other fault with the 75/ZT gearbox. Your reverse piston failure, the most severe we have heard of judging by your description, will affect fluid pressure which, in turn, will result in your forward gears slipping. I think you will find that once you have renewed the piston and changed the fluid (using N402 spec. of course) that it will be smooth and quiet (unless it has been subject to abuse at some time in its life of course). What is a "known good one"? It's a 75/ZT which you have driven, of which the entire service history is available and the previous owners are known to be responsible, mechanically sympathetic people. The gearbox is then removed and delivered to you. If you really think that you can achieve that, I urge you to think again. What you will get is a whole load of claims whose authenticity you cannot prove. In my experience "repair what you've got whenever possible" is the most cost effective philosophy for trouble-free long term ownership. You are in a position to do that by renewing the reverse piston which is a low financial outlay. If it doesn't work, you haven't lost much. Give it a chance, please Ken. But if you must replace the whole lot, your only safe bet is to buy a gearbox refurbished by a professional specialist such as JP Automatic Transmissions in Somerset (whom I can recommend having bought parts from them). This will be very expensive of course, which is why you should not give up on the repair. Simon __________________ "Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble." Sir Henry Royce.