Question about ZF gearboxes
- STA 1440
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Question about ZF gearboxes
Why is it that ZF transmissions howl, woo and whine so beautifully?
Do they use "straight cut" gears?
Cheers!
Do they use "straight cut" gears?
Cheers!
- MaxHeadway
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Re: Question about ZF gearboxes
You mean like this?
You used to have to pay money to see a freak show; now you have to pay NOT to.
- mrobsessed
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Re: Question about ZF gearboxes
No, they're all helical gears inside ZFs.
- Swift
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Re: Question about ZF gearboxes
You have to wonder what modifications ZF have done over the years to their Ecomat range which were introduced in 1980.
The more updated ,the less charm they have.
The more updated ,the less charm they have.
NSW, the state that embraces mediocrity.
Re: Question about ZF gearboxes
I'd have to disagree with that in part.
Yes the Volvo 6 speeds are boring but the new 0500 CNGs have a beautiful sound to them, particularly the early ones pre 1821.
Yes the Volvo 6 speeds are boring but the new 0500 CNGs have a beautiful sound to them, particularly the early ones pre 1821.
- Swift
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Re: Question about ZF gearboxes
While they are surprisingly vocal and not without their charm,they sound wierd like a badly written tune and have nothing on an Adelaide MAN Sl202 or an early to mid 1980s vintage Volvo B10M with the 4 speed Wilson soundalike ecomat.
NSW, the state that embraces mediocrity.
- STA 1440
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Re: Question about ZF gearboxes
Well if it's not straight cut gears making all that noise, what exactly is it?
- LowRider
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Re: Question about ZF gearboxes
I'd guess its whine from the torque convertor.B58 Howler wrote:Well if it's not straight cut gears making all that noise, what exactly is it?
Terrorising the Streets in an SL200!
-
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Re: Question about ZF gearboxes
The planet gears have a tendency to wear the pins and bearings they sit on and change the tooth ontact and hence gear noise, once they get a few hundred K's on them. A lot of the other noises emanate from the actixation of the clutches in the box and lock-up in the TC
Who bleedin thanked me? I was just doin my job
Re: Question about ZF gearboxes
I followed a UBS Motorcoach in my car the other day, I'd guess it had an Allison box. As it took off from the lights, 1st gear fine, second gear fine too but third seemed like it missed. Under (naturally) full power, it changed out of second so the engine revved RIGHT out, then continued to rev for around 3-4 seconds before it found third. When it did, the torque converter let out a spine-chilling howl and the bus visibly jolted forward.
Having never really spent any time in Autos (other than the 5sp ZF "Whiplasher" in MGBS's Mary), is this normal? The engine (sounded Cummins-ish) would've been at around 2500rpm while it was shifting...
Daz
Having never really spent any time in Autos (other than the 5sp ZF "Whiplasher" in MGBS's Mary), is this normal? The engine (sounded Cummins-ish) would've been at around 2500rpm while it was shifting...
Daz
Re: Question about ZF gearboxes
Sounds pretty normal for an Allison MT or HT as they use Governor (or output speed) to control lockup points....modulated by the throttle position which is controlled by a cable. It can be adjusted in the valve body to lock up later however to better affect.
The whine in the ZF's is mainly caused by gear wear in the planetarys and ring gears and extra clearances everywhere.
But in saying that i have replaced gear sets and they still whine with load. The torque converter wont make any noises similar unless it is about to fail in a major way....
The whine in the ZF's is mainly caused by gear wear in the planetarys and ring gears and extra clearances everywhere.
But in saying that i have replaced gear sets and they still whine with load. The torque converter wont make any noises similar unless it is about to fail in a major way....
- PoweredByCNG
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Re: Question about ZF gearboxes
I've found that (in Perth, anyway) the ZFs generally get quieter with age. For example, when [TP.1639] was delivered, it had an ear-piercing wind-up in 1st and 6th gears - often so loud that body panels would vibrate at certain engine speeds. It has quietened down considerably over the last couple of years.
Regards,
Dave
Regards,
Dave
Proud owner of ex-Transperth 1042 and ex-Transperth 1114.
Re: Question about ZF gearboxes
The type of Transmission fluid can have an affect as well...
- PoweredByCNG
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Re: Question about ZF gearboxes
I'm almost certain that all ZF-Ecomat gearboxes have straight-cut gears. The 2nd to 3rd gearchange howl is produced by a sun gear that changes speed abruptly during the gearchange. ZF-EcoLife gearboxes have helical gears.
Proud owner of ex-Transperth 1042 and ex-Transperth 1114.
- Daz
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Re: Question about ZF gearboxes
Only on Bus Australia would you find people who actually want noisy gearboxes...
Daz
Daz
Did you hear the scarecrow got an award? He was out standing in his field.
- STA 1440
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Re: Question about ZF gearboxes
Hell yeah Daz!
I was brought up with the sound of ZF 4HPs screaming off into the distance.
Have a watch (and a listen): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9-TofYg ... e=youtu.be
I was brought up with the sound of ZF 4HPs screaming off into the distance.
Have a watch (and a listen): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9-TofYg ... e=youtu.be