shuddering
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach Good ol' U
shuddering
My truck as started to shutter really bad.It happened this morning after I had to hit the brakes pretty hard to avoid a real dumbS%#t driver.It's really pronounced above 40 mph with the convertor clutch on.Thanks in advance for any help or advice.
Later,
Cleve
Later,
Cleve
New User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
shuddering
If you have an e4od, or other electronic lockup tranny, it is more than likely torque converter chatter. I work at a ford dealership and we get a lot of these problems. My suggestion is to replace the converter, drain the pan and flush the cooler lines. Then use mercon 5 transmission fluid. It will work better than mercon 3, and make the new converter last longer. To make sure it actually is the converter, when you feel the chatter keep one foot on the gas and slightly tap the brake with your left foot. This will unlock the clutch with the brake switch for a short time. If the chatter goes away then you know for sure it is the converter. Hope this helps some!
Jason
Jason
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach Good ol' U
shuddering
Hey black91lx, about how much is a new torque convertor and about how much would a dealership charge to install it and do a tranny flush and refill?
Later,
Cleve
Later,
Cleve
New User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
shuddering
i have had this problem on many vehicles fords,gm's, chryslers & have used an additive & it took care of the problem instantly, every time with no other repairs. i dont have the name of it right now but will look it up & post another message. i just wanted to catch ya before ya did any other repairs. it cost less than 5$ i got some at a transmission shop that recomended it & then found a cheaper place to get it, ill let ya know. dave
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach Good ol' U
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
From: southeast,usa
shuddering
Had a problem like that with my e4od at about 80k miles. I drained the converter and the transmission, changed the screen and put in new fluid. Zingo!.... Problem of shuddering was gone. I think the recommended procedure by ford is to replace the converter, but for 20k miles now I haven't had a problem....best of luck.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
New User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
shuddering
Here is the web address of the co. that makes the additive http://www.lifeautomotive.com/products_red.html they list distributors all over the country. I use the "smart blend red" in everything but they have other types that may be better for your use, im just not sure. The red has completely & instantly stopped the shuddering in every vehicle i have used it in. good luck & if ya would let me know if ya try it or something else & the results
Dave
Dave
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach Good ol' U
shuddering
Thanks guys, I'll give that a try first.Especially the smart blend stuff.By the way Dave, when you used it did you flush your entire tranny and convertor or did you just add it to the tranny fluid. How much of the Smartblend red does it take for the tranny? And what does this stuff cost per quart?
Thanks,
Cleve
Thanks,
Cleve
New User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
shuddering
I just added it to the existing fluid, but the fluids looked ok anyhow. I only added 1 bottle which isint even a quart & it worked on all the vehicles i used it in & some shuddered real bad before using it. I know we bought it in a case of i think 12 bottles & i think the cost was about $5 per bottle. I didnt have that info with me when i posted the response but ill try to find out exatly where we got it & what the cost was. but if i cant, i guess check the companys web site for the distributors in your area. dont forget to let me know what happens.
dave
dave
New User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
shuddering
here is the rest of the story. we got our additive at Transtar Inc. in Cleveland Ohio. the guys name we dealt with is John Roman. 18003218830 ext. 278. i dont have the exact amount it cost but we did buy a case of 12 & i think it came out to about $5 or $6 each. you may find a distributor closer to you. the smartblend website has a distributors list on it.
one more thing i have ran into that causes about the same feeling as the converter shudder is a bad plug wire, it would show up at the same load range that the converter shudder normaly would happen just as if it were the converter causing the problem. just though id mention that too.
let me know what ya do & how it works out
dave
one more thing i have ran into that causes about the same feeling as the converter shudder is a bad plug wire, it would show up at the same load range that the converter shudder normaly would happen just as if it were the converter causing the problem. just though id mention that too.
let me know what ya do & how it works out
dave
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach Good ol' U
shuddering
Dave, I found a local ditributor of the smartblend. Hell it's only a few minutes from my house and they only charge $7.36 a bottle for it. I've got some other problems that I need to address first though. My rear differential broke on the way home from work. That could have been where the shuddering was coming from to begin with and it finally let loose today. We'll see. But at any case I think I'll try the smartblend red stuff. At just $7.36 a bottle and for the benefits I don't think I could go wrong by using it. Thanks for your help and advice and I'll let you know something as soon as I can.
Later,
Cleve
Later,
Cleve
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach Good ol' U
shuddering
Dave , I got my truck all fixed.Turns out it was the rear differential.THe damned thing was completely destroyed.The carrier was sheared into 3 separate pieces and the ring and pinion was wasted as well.I had a Eaton carrier put in to replace the trac-lok.It's about twice as much as a trac-lok but , it's also alot beefier.I also went ahead and put the smartblend red stuff in the tranny just for good measure and one thing I noticed right away was that the tranny shifts alot smoother.The little bit of torque convertor shudder that I had been seeing at low RPM's with convertor clutch on turned on is now gone.I appreciate the product recommendation and I think it's a good one. Again thanks and take care.Also have a Happy Thanksgiving and Holidays.
Later,
Cleve
Later,
Cleve
New User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Clarksville US
shuddering
Mines doin it too. Seems to shutter under slight accelloration just before it shifts into 3rd and 4th gears. I suspect the lock up converter is part of it. I know my rear diff has a good amount of chuck in it and a loud clunk! I also see my speedometer fluctuate wildly 10-25 mph. All started about the same time. Any ideas?