Transmission shudder while loaded
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 576
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From: Aromas, CA
Transmission shudder while loaded
hey guys, so... while im loving the fuel millage and ride of my new truck, i have my first concern. in the last few weeks i have hauled a truck bed full of dirt, and 3300 lbs of sod. both times i would use tow haul mode, and while the truck had plenty of power, it would shutter when excelerating from a stop.mostly first gear 0-15 mph. this is my truck with a fancy electronic controlled transmission, so on the old pickups this would be a torque converter slipping, but all the ford dealer wants to tell me is "its electrical and they want to reflash my transmission". i don't like this answer, as im at 26k miles and have less than 10k left on my warrenty... anyone else experienced this shutter while under load? any advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 585
Likes: 4
Airbags!
It's a common problem that I suffered with both my 2006 F-350 and 2011 F-450. The heavy load on these trucks changed the driveline geometry and causes the shudder on launch.
You need a variable suspension that will compensate for unloaded/heavy load conditions and airbags are one solution.
The dealer can reflash all they want, but it's not a transmission or computer or electrical problem, it's a good old fashioned mechanical issue that some of these high-tech mechanics have lost sight of.
There is also a TSB for older trucks that involves installation of shims. The problem with the shims is that they will fix a shudder on launch problem for either unloaded or loaded conditions, but they will then cause the same problem when the other condition is encountered.
You got a better answer than I did - even if it was the wrong answer. My dealer measured the height of the rear bumper when unloaded and told me I was "within specs." DUH!
It's a common problem that I suffered with both my 2006 F-350 and 2011 F-450. The heavy load on these trucks changed the driveline geometry and causes the shudder on launch.
You need a variable suspension that will compensate for unloaded/heavy load conditions and airbags are one solution.
The dealer can reflash all they want, but it's not a transmission or computer or electrical problem, it's a good old fashioned mechanical issue that some of these high-tech mechanics have lost sight of.
There is also a TSB for older trucks that involves installation of shims. The problem with the shims is that they will fix a shudder on launch problem for either unloaded or loaded conditions, but they will then cause the same problem when the other condition is encountered.
You got a better answer than I did - even if it was the wrong answer. My dealer measured the height of the rear bumper when unloaded and told me I was "within specs." DUH!
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 190
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I second the comments above. Air bags fixed my shutter on launch when hooked to my 14k lb fiver with 2500 lbs of pin weight. The bags also fixed the sagging rear and the hooping of the rear when empty. Another option is super springs or add a leaf if you don't want mess with air bags. If you trade trucks often, go for the super springs as they are quick and easy to move.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 576
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From: Aromas, CA
Thanks alot guys! glad to get a real technical answer, i was afraid this forum was turning into a bunch of highschool girls only posting on threads about joy riding their new trucks with the sunroof open!
and wow, they actually measured your rear bumper height LOL thats bad.
guess i should look into airbags as i am planning on getting a lance 992 camper for my next toy... my friend has a dually and was able to get by with just leaf snubbers and blocks for his camper... but me being a srw, i guess i may have to go airbags.... thanks again
and wow, they actually measured your rear bumper height LOL thats bad.
guess i should look into airbags as i am planning on getting a lance 992 camper for my next toy... my friend has a dually and was able to get by with just leaf snubbers and blocks for his camper... but me being a srw, i guess i may have to go airbags.... thanks again
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,676
Likes: 913
From: Milford, MI
Mine does it too. My dealer told me it was my trailer......
So I'm kicking all the options mentioned around myself.
So I'm kicking all the options mentioned around myself.
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Postmaster
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From: Roll Tide, Roll
Was your truck sagging in the rear or level?
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 5
From: Maryland
My old fifth wheel camper had a pin weight of about 1,800 lbs and it caused this problem on both my 2006 and 2011 F350s. The toyhauler we have now has a pin weight of over 3,000 lbs so I added Firestone airbags to help with leveling and ride comfort. With the airbags setting the ride height the same as it was with the lighter trailer, I do not have this shudder anymore.
Airbags aren't all that expensive if you are capable of installing them yourself. Overall, I think they are a good investment for any truck that tows a heavy trailer. I had always thought about installing them on the 2006 but never did. Now that I have used airbags, I wish I would have done it 7 years ago!
Airbags aren't all that expensive if you are capable of installing them yourself. Overall, I think they are a good investment for any truck that tows a heavy trailer. I had always thought about installing them on the 2006 but never did. Now that I have used airbags, I wish I would have done it 7 years ago!
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 460
Likes: 51
From: Washington state
I went with Timbren overloads and it solved the problem for me . I am not entirely happy with the ride loaded so if I did it again I would use the extra spring or air bag method. I have no shudder now at all.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 59
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F-250 with lightest springs: Added air (bags) suspension
hey guys, so... while im loving the fuel millage and ride of my new truck, i have my first concern. in the last few weeks i have hauled a truck bed full of dirt, and 3300 lbs of sod. both times i would use tow haul mode, and while the truck had plenty of power, it would shutter when excelerating from a stop.mostly first gear 0-15 mph. this is my truck with a fancy electronic controlled transmission, so on the old pickups this would be a torque converter slipping, but all the ford dealer wants to tell me is "its electrical and they want to reflash my transmission". i don't like this answer, as im at 26k miles and have less than 10k left on my warrenty... anyone else experienced this shutter while under load? any advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks
Just got back from a 1400 mile t0w back to the northern tier from Arizona, with the 5th wheel.. never a shudder, and handled great. Highly recommend air (bags) suspension for the 250 (at least the one without the overload springs, like mine... and, have a great vehicle to drive around town after unhook... only 8-10# in the air bags holds it both down and up enough to make it work really well as a daily driver "to the mall" after one unhooks the 5th wheel!).
