Tribute Gearbox

Ford have been under pressure in the USA in improve this box.

Failures at 10,000 kms are quite common in the USA, where they mainly tow jet skies.

When our box failed in 2004, it was a 2003 model, Mazda replaced the box, but it had the same part number as the old one, which would normally mean no uopgrades.

My friend who lost his box at about the same milage of 26,000 also got the same bix that we did.

I will have snopp and see what I can find out.

Regards
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Col

I have done what I suggest you should do.

Search the internet forums for more info.

I suggest instead of looking at Tributes, you look at Escapes, as they really are the same mechanically.

"Escape Central" a search on Google will drop you into the minefield of info.

You will see countless people who at your milage, and often sooner are faced with a Transmission overhaul.

You could get away for a moment, and that is all it could be, by changing the fluid, and if it drives OK then get rid of it, as it will be back again very quickly.

The base problem is the clutch packs, they are just not good enough.

I wish I could give you more info, but the wieght of info on the internet is over loading.

I think that perusal of all the posts, will indicate that unless you want to spend real money with no proper fix, particualirly if you still want to tow. The car will have to go.

Regards

Col

The CD4 transmission never came to Ausralia in any great numbers, because it was mainky fitted to the Tauris,

The four wheel drive version, which is the CD4E arrived here, and Mazda did not tell one and all about its source.

The problem lies in the clutch packs, which do not stand the heat generated when towing. Packs become welded together which of couse stope them working.

On all the research which I did, there appeared to be no great upgrade to the transmission, a small one to the torque convertor, but nothing which is going to improve the towing.

I am waiting on a email from the USA, which may outlline what has been done, but I think the problem really means a tgotal redesign, and as the Tribute/Escape must be on borrowed production time, then I do not hold too much time.

My Tribute was long gone, a good car stuffed up by the Ford components.

A vehicle that you could consider if you can find a low milage one is the diesel Terrycan, but my understanding is you cannot buy them new anymore.

The X Trail I suspect may suffer in ground speed in hilly country, but they are preety bomb proof.

The new diesel KIA could be all right but I not know much about them.

A smaller JEEP in diesel could also do the job.

I think you need to post on the forum what peoiple who own smaller SUV's think about their cars.

I do not see a fix for your Mazda, certainly if you tow,

Regards

Col