Hello All,

I have a bone stock (other than exhaust) F-250 SD, 6.0 auto, 185k miles. I have a substantial vibration when the torque converter locks - about 50-55 mph. Once the transmission warms up (i.e. 4-5 miles from a cold start) the vibration goes away and the transmission performs flawlessly. Backing out of the throttle and allowing the TC to unlock makes the vibration go away, as does shifting into neutral. There is no noise, just a vibration that will shake the whole truck. Transmission fluid looks good, and showing full. Have had the truck about 4 months, and have not flushed or replaced the filters on transmission.

I've seen a couple of similar threads on vibrations, but not one where the vibration will completely go away. I'm thinking replace the torque converter but wanted to get more information from the experienced experts on here that know these 5R110s better.

Any and all help/advice appreciated.

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1987 F-250 "Bully" 7.3 IDIT, E40D, '02 SD Front/Rear Axles, '94 XLT Lariat interior w/cowhide seat, Electric Fuel Pump mod, Smoked Clear cab/corner/brakelights, too many other mods to list.
2007 F-250 King Ranch 6.0 PSD, 5R110W, 4" Turbo Back, Otherwise bone stock, 185k.

 

Just thinking out side the box: I wonder if the harmonic balencer is out of wack because the torque converter going bad.

 

Sounds like converter shudder to me. Kinda feels like rumble strips. You can try an additive but that's just a band aid.

 

x2 what projectnitemare says. Time for a converter. The lock-up frictions in the converter are worn out (MAW do a trans rebuild while its out).

 

I think it's an injector issue when cold. If the problem were the torque converter it would get worse when warmed up, not go away.

 

Good point Mark...Cant argue with that. Trouble shooting 101 eliminate the simple(r) items first when trouble shooting before going at the large complicated ones. I guess a simple way of isolating the TC from the equation would be to not let it go into lock up? Can a 5R110Ws TC lock up function be held out by not allowing it to go into OD to see if the chatter is still there?

 

No, there is no way to keep the trans from going into OD. And that wouldn't keep the converter from locking, anyways. The chatter only shows up in OD with the converter locked because that's when the engine load is high enough to show the problem.

 

Mark...You are a wealth of info. TX. So to the OP, take it somewhere that is real familiar with this trans and have them road test it. Theyll know right away if its trans or other. Please dont forget to come back and close the loop here once the problems fixed.

 

I'd take it to someone that can find an engine miss. That's the problem.

 

Thanks all for the responses. Will have stealership perform diagnostics to determine if any injectors are bad. Will post results.

 

Dealership hooked it to the diagnostic computer and ran it when cold...#5 injector bad. Picked up a new one online and I'll put it in next week.

 

Another score for Mark! Thanks Mark!