Auto trans slow and jerky from no throttle

[Tamarillo]

Xc70 with I believe aw55-50 Aisin box and 150,000 km (approx 100,000mile)
Had box flushed and filled with correct fluid at 140,000 but this sudden jerk is getting worse.
From an idle, or from a throttle off position like entering sharp corner, intersection, when I press throttle revs rise then suddenly transmission engages with a thump.
I can drive around problem a bit by left foot braking and introducing throttle smoothly early, but it's getting worse.
Live in a small town and people don't know much about these cars in NZ.
I've heard of others here simply being scrapped when this gearbox starts playing up, but this is a good car, new tyres, overhauled turbo etc.
There is an auto transmission specialist in town.
Question. Is this usually a gearbox failure not worth fixing, or is is usually less drastic stuff that can realistically be fixed?
Opinions appreciated.

[bugeye]

Check the transmission fluid level. The yellow dipstick has graduations for different temperatures. Check when the fluid is hot, after driving 20 km. There is a chart on the internet showing dip stick level at different transmission temperatures. I measure the fluid temperature with a long thin temperature probe down the dip stick tube. How does fluid look and smell? Drain plug is magnetic. It may help to do a drain and fill. The drain plug should be almost clean after only 10,000 km after a flush. Your description sounds like a transmission valve body issue. How did the transmission act before the flush?

[Tamarillo]

Check the transmission fluid level. The yellow dipstick has graduations for different temperatures. Check when the fluid is hot, after driving 20 km. There is a chart on the internet showing dip stick level at different transmission temperatures. I measure the fluid temperature with a long thin temperature probe down the dip stick tube. How does fluid look and smell? Drain plug is magnetic. It may help to do a drain and fill. The drain plug should be almost clean after only 10,000 km after a flush. Your description sounds like a transmission valve body issue. How did the transmission act before the flush?

Thank you. To be honest I didn't know it had a trans fluid dipstick so I will indeed check.
It was just starting to do this a tiny bit before trans fluid done, but has got worse of late.

[Xfingers]

Not sure if your situation is like mine was. I replaced my fluid at 118k mi. and car trans ran smoother but I had a noticeable 2-3 shift flare. Engine would go into high revs before tranny shifted into 3rd with a nasty clunk. Just bought the car so wasn't keen on spending for big trans repair. I decided to keep driving car but every time engine would rev, I immediately pulled my foot off the gas. RPMs would drop and trans would then make an easy, relatively smooth engagement into 3rd gear. Believe it or not, after about 2500 mi. of this conservative driving, the shift flare I experienced has disappeared. My best guess is the tranny apparently needed time to adjust to the heavier viscosity of the new fluid and relearn the shift points. Disclaimer: This car doesn't get a lot of use, no stop-and-go traffic, no city driving (but plenty of mountains). My advice to pull your foot off accelerator may make the drivers behind you crazy!

Also, since you own a 2002 you might be a candidate for the B4 servo cover fix (do a search). With less than 100k mi., hopefully your tranny can be saved. Members have had success with valvebody replacements - lots cheaper than paying for another transmission.

[JRL]

Check tranny fluid when HOT (at least 30 minutes of driving) and the car is level
If OK you need a new or rebuilt valvebody

[AKAMick]

The linear solenoids sound all gummed up as they are electromagnets in operation and attract metallic sludge into the body of them and it just gums up their operation, (sticky pintle bearings), they energize and instead of smoothly operating they hang then move later than they should, then bang a hard shift, By the time this comes together the VB is due usually, though some just find the solenoids by themselves can fix the issue,