Transmission problems on ZF gearboxes

BluBlur SG

Hello everyone, have anyone noticed unfixed transmission problems for the above gearbox, especially for TIBS fleet? Symptoms include sluggish shifting and acceleration, or the gears don't really shift at all.

Sent 2 emails to inform them of this problem, but their promises are always unfulfilled. As a gauge of timeframe, TIB825U is having this problem for more than 1 year. Surprised that the bus is still running without problems. Really bad maintenance.

I've estimated the % affected is 3-4% of the total fleet. Mostly the affected ones fall into:

TIB460-490, TIB730-750, TIB810-832,
TIB1061-1091 (probably the worst batch affected), TIB1100-1110, TIB1130-1146

It could be a problem of aging for the older buses, and a batch problem for the 10xx ones.

The Voith gearbox don't exhibit this problem (for now).

I think SBS is doing a good job on this right? Have only encountered such incident on SBS206A; the bus could only move at 20kph.

SBS9816E SG

Hmm I think SBS206A had got its gearbox fixed. Also I dun think that TIB 750 has a problem. It's running ok. About TIB1100, if I am not wrong, that bus is on Svc 106. It seems to be fine. TIB 817 is alright as I boarded it On Svc 965 2 days ago.

BluBlur SG

The above batches I mentioned seems to have a higher chance. The exact buses affected are:

TIB460-490 (469, 486/Svc 969, 495/Svc 969),
TIB730-750 (730/Svc 858, 741/Svc 855),
TIB810-832 (811/Svc 969, 825/Svc 963),
TIB1061-1091 (1061/Svc 960, 1067/Svc 913, 1073-4/Svc 61, 1083/Svc 106)
TIB1100-1110 (1110/Svc 903),
TIB1130-1146 (1130/Svc 912, 1133/Svc 106, 1141/Svc 912, 1143/Svr 912)

Airbus330Captain SG

All buses will have problems one day , they are like human beings , fall ill on certain days . Usually the problems will come out just before the actual maintainance day .

By the way , how long does SBS or TIBS take to do an overhaul on a bus engine ?

off_service SG

I’m living in Tibs area and take those buses regularly. I don’t find any of the gear boxes faulty.

Windy_hates_B10TLs SG

I find that all the TIBS buses are alot better maintained than their SBST counterparts. There are no problems with the gearboxes, they are pretty sweet, pity about the governing to 60km/h, that's all.

SBS9818A SG

SBS 206A, a Mercedes-Benz O405, does not use ZF gearbox, it uses a Mercedes-Benz W3E.O80 gearbox.

TIB1186Z SG

FYI, TIB 811 is also often found serving Service 804, and yes, I agree with you that that particular bus seemed very loud, and sometimes it can evoke the feeling that its like its almost falling apart.

I don't find anything wrong with TIB 495 though, but I remembered that its AC may need fixing, sometimes its like Artic, but sometimes it dosen't even seem to be working at all

I had taken TIB 1074 on 61 last week, but I noticed that there is a kind of shuddering effect as it slows, especially at tight bends like at Tanglin Halt, but I don't know if the problem belongs to the gearbox or the other parts of the transmission

BluBlur SG

I see. Both 811, 495 are long affected. Same for 1074. The transmission sounds normal, but in fact is not right.

I suppose that this transmission thingy needs a observant driver or anyone with keen ears, plus the manufacturer's electronic test to confirm. Often the drivers will know, because the transmission feels tardy and they'll often apply more torque to increase the acceleration.