Tranny Shudder
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Dallas Ga
Tranny Shudder
I just bought a 2000 Expedition with about 55000 miles on it. I took it on a trip a few days ago and noticed a shudder when it shifts into overdrive. It doesn't always occur and seemed not to do it with the cruise on. It sounds similar to running over those noise strips to warn you are approaching a traffic light. I've got a 2wd with the 5.4l. What type of tranny would this be? I've driven Aerostars for the past 14 years, WOW what a difference!!! I didn't know life could be this good!!!!
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Joined: May 2003
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Tranny Shudder
I have the same problem on my 2002 Expo. I think its a problem with the torque converter. I hope you purchased an extended warrantee, I plan on taking mine to the dealer to have them replace the torque converter if need be. I've heard torque converter issues are a problem for a few expo owners.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 574
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Tranny Shudder
Your Symptoms are a sure sign of torque converter problems, and its more than just a problem for a few EXPY owners, its an outright weakness of this vehicle.. Hope you have a warranty, I had to have My whole tranny rebuilt at 42,000 miles, $1600.00 and I had No warranty. Pathetic.
You MAY be able to help your situation some by doing a tranny flush, I have heard on here it has helped alot of people if the problems not to far along, Good Luck!
Ron
99 Expedition XLT 4.6
You MAY be able to help your situation some by doing a tranny flush, I have heard on here it has helped alot of people if the problems not to far along, Good Luck!
Ron
99 Expedition XLT 4.6
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: All over Texas
Tranny Shudder
By no means does the shudder mean your tranny has failed. I'd recommend changing the fluid in the pan, install a new filter and drain the TC. You'll need around 14 qts to refill if you have the 4r100 (which you probably do with the 5.4L).
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Joined: May 2003
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Tranny Shudder
I was wondering if it is totally necessary to change/flush the transmission fluid on the 2000 Expedition 5.4L at 30K miles. I think from reading this thread that it sounds necessary. Those that know if it is, please post a message here.
Also, I saw that a flush cost around $140 at the dealer and around $70 at Tire Kingdom, Tires Plus, Goodyear, etc. Is it OK to do the transmission flush at these places or is it essential to do it at the dealer?
Thank You.
Also, I saw that a flush cost around $140 at the dealer and around $70 at Tire Kingdom, Tires Plus, Goodyear, etc. Is it OK to do the transmission flush at these places or is it essential to do it at the dealer?
Thank You.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: All over Texas
Tranny Shudder
Originally posted by FordPower2000
I was wondering if it is totally necessary to change/flush the transmission fluid on the 2000 Expedition 5.4L at 30K miles. I think from reading this thread that it sounds necessary. Those that know if it is, please post a message here.
Also, I saw that a flush cost around $140 at the dealer and around $70 at Tire Kingdom, Tires Plus, Goodyear, etc. Is it OK to do the transmission flush at these places or is it essential to do it at the dealer?
Thank You.
I was wondering if it is totally necessary to change/flush the transmission fluid on the 2000 Expedition 5.4L at 30K miles. I think from reading this thread that it sounds necessary. Those that know if it is, please post a message here.
Also, I saw that a flush cost around $140 at the dealer and around $70 at Tire Kingdom, Tires Plus, Goodyear, etc. Is it OK to do the transmission flush at these places or is it essential to do it at the dealer?
Thank You.
FordPower, I'm not really sure what the manual recommends, but it's pretty cheap insurance to do the change. I did mine myself with 14 quarts at $1.50 and a $35 filter the total came to around $60 and took about an hour to do. It is certainly very easy to do and is by no means rocket science, so if you are comfortable with the generic shops, take it to them....no point in paying Ford's super-inflated prices.
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Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,028
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From: Annapolis, Maryland
Tranny Shudder
If I remember correctly, my manual for my 1999 5.4 Expy with the 4R100 recommends a tranny flush every 30K. I put in a Transgo shift kit and I use Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF - shifts like a beast.
The 4R100's are notorious for giving you trouble if the fluid isn't up to snuff. I'd get a flush and fill, and see if the problem goes away. If it does, I'd go ahead and kick out the extra cash to drain it and put in the M1 Syn ATF - it'll protect the oh-so-fragile tranny a bit better. I personally don't have much faith in the flush 'n fill contraptions - I'd much rather pull the drain plugs on the pan and TC to make sure it's done right, but that's just me.
Keep us posted on what happens.
XXL
The 4R100's are notorious for giving you trouble if the fluid isn't up to snuff. I'd get a flush and fill, and see if the problem goes away. If it does, I'd go ahead and kick out the extra cash to drain it and put in the M1 Syn ATF - it'll protect the oh-so-fragile tranny a bit better. I personally don't have much faith in the flush 'n fill contraptions - I'd much rather pull the drain plugs on the pan and TC to make sure it's done right, but that's just me.
Keep us posted on what happens.
XXL
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Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 1
From: Annapolis, Maryland
Tranny Shudder
Hey, I just checked the factory Ford DVD - there don't appear to be any TSB's or recalls on your truck concerning the transmission (there is one about a clunk on 2-1 shifts, but nothing about shuddering in OD)
I'd try the flush - certainly cheaper than replacing the whole shebang.
XXL
I'd try the flush - certainly cheaper than replacing the whole shebang.
XXL
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26
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Tranny Shudder
had the same problem with my 2002 expy at around 20K miles. i took it into the dealer (still under warrenty) and recommended that the trans fluid be changed if they couldn't find the problem. they dropped the pan and decided that there was more metal in there than there should be and recommended a rebuild. since it was free, i said go ahead. however, if it wasn't under warrenty, i think i just would have had them change the fluid. does seem like alot of people on this board have had success with the fluid flush for this problem, so i would definately give that a try.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 17
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Tranny Shudder
Well, just bought the 99 Exp I posted about a few weeks ago. The tranny shudder was there, not too bad, but noticable under acceleration from a dead stop and downshifting. Went to the quick lube place here and had it flushed and filled. Most of the shudder went away, which is good. But what's that noise i'm hearing? Am i hearing the TC slipping or is that something else i'm hearing now? Sounds like it was matching the shuddering noise/feel. Now that most of the shuddering is gone, am i hearing something else? I can feel it through the seats and the floorboard.
BTW, just bought the Exp last night, and going on a 1500 mile trip starting tonight! We already love it....
BTW, just bought the Exp last night, and going on a 1500 mile trip starting tonight! We already love it....
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Joined: May 2003
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Tranny Shudder
Originally posted by buzzard
FordPower, I'm not really sure what the manual recommends, but it's pretty cheap insurance to do the change. I did mine myself with 14 quarts at $1.50 and a $35 filter the total came to around $60 and took about an hour to do. It is certainly very easy to do and is by no means rocket science, so if you are comfortable with the generic shops, take it to them....no point in paying Ford's super-inflated prices.
FordPower, I'm not really sure what the manual recommends, but it's pretty cheap insurance to do the change. I did mine myself with 14 quarts at $1.50 and a $35 filter the total came to around $60 and took about an hour to do. It is certainly very easy to do and is by no means rocket science, so if you are comfortable with the generic shops, take it to them....no point in paying Ford's super-inflated prices.
Where is the filter located? I would imagaine close to the drain plug. Is the filter difficult to change? Does this mean I would have to loosen all the screws on the transmission? Sounds like this could get messy.
Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 1
From: Annapolis, Maryland
Tranny Shudder
My recommendation is to pick up a Haynes manual and budget a day to do the job (in case of a problem.)
All you'll need are some sockets (to take out the torque convertor and drain pan plugs). It is a bit intimidating at first, but you'll get in the groove. The hardest part is lining up the torque convertor drain plug - you have to use a breaker arm on the crank pulley, and turn it clockwise, until the plug appears in the little "port" (which is normally plugged by a rubber thingie). If you don't feel comfortable doing something like this, then you might want to take it to a shop.
Check out this tech article
XXL
All you'll need are some sockets (to take out the torque convertor and drain pan plugs). It is a bit intimidating at first, but you'll get in the groove. The hardest part is lining up the torque convertor drain plug - you have to use a breaker arm on the crank pulley, and turn it clockwise, until the plug appears in the little "port" (which is normally plugged by a rubber thingie). If you don't feel comfortable doing something like this, then you might want to take it to a shop.
Check out this tech article
XXL
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,011
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From: South Dakota
Tranny Shudder
I don't have an Expy, but to relate to the overdrive shudder issue. I owned at one time a 1984 Ford van that went out to 255000 strong and was still going last I knew. This vehicle had the AOD trans and at about 175000 would start shuddering. I would swap out fluid and filter which kept it good to about 15,000 more so I would do it again. We did not have any means to flush in the mid 90s and I did not know about it then or it would have went longer between. I would recommend complete oil change and filter by which ever means one is comfortable. It's to dang pricey to have a trans rebuilt. I am also wondering with the chips and shift kits installed are any of you generating extra trans heat to the point would a trans cooler be of benefit? Especially with the taller and heavier tires.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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Tranny Shudder
Have a 2000 5.4. Had a problem which I described to the dealer as "it felt like I was running over a hose when it shifted at low speeds". Also felt a shudder at hi-speeds. They suggest a AT fluid change. It did help.