Are Modern (Torque Converter) Auto Boxes Less Smooth After Being Rebuilt?

[sugarisbadforyou]

Is this the case? If so, why and can it be avoided?

I'm not talking about a specific box here - I've just seen this mentioned a few times (I intend my next car to be my first auto).

[xantia_v6]

Modern electronically controlled boxes are much less prone to variations in behaviour after rebuild, for several reasons, but mainly because the ECU adapts the control points to compensate for wear and tolerances in the mechanical components.

It is important that the torque converter is replaced or reconditioned by a qualified company, as modern torque converters have controlled clutches inside them and if these are worn out then it is impossible to get smooth operation of the transmission.

[GiveMeABreak]

On one of my XM Turbo Prestige Autos I owned had the BVA4 HP18 gearbox. On the way home from work up a hill it started slipping and it was a struggle to get home. Made it another 16 miles before it completely went and ended up having to leave it in a shop car park!

Got it towed to Swansea to a gearbox specialist (can't remember the name now) who did the rebuild, costing over £1100 back in the day. It was never the same after that - as soon as it went into 'Drive' from neutral, the whole car lurched violently. It felt really clunky taking it to neutral, park drive or reverse after that, but there was nothing else they could do - so I just lived with it!

About 6 months later somebody flew out a junction into me side on and I ended up in a church wall! Could of been appropriate and saved a few quid on a funeral, but my time wasn't up I guess!

Moved onto a Xantia after that, so never found out if the box would settle down, but I didn't miss that transmission - only the car

[sugarisbadforyou]

Thanks both, interesting!

Any other thoughts welcome (the assertion is that modern torque converter autos do not change between speeds as smoothly after rebuild).