Shudder when towing
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,245
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From: Kaysville Utah
Shudder when towing
I have a 23 F350 SRW long bed with 3.31 gears and the 6.7HO.
Begining around 58,000 miles I had some serious shudder when towing a load of horses up a 7% grade. ( 11,000 - 13,000 lbs depending on day) usually on a 40-50 mph stretch and from what I can tell, Probably 7th gear and around 2000 rpm.
Shudder is violent, but brief. Usually 2-3 seconds and gone. Passenger in truck look at me and ask what was that.
Dealer basically said, No codes and can't reproduce ( it's very random when it happens but always when towing up a grade around 2000 rpm)
Dealer said to drive it until it breaks or leaves a code.
I had my mechanic, change out the tranny filter and as much fluid as would drain out. He thought the shudder might be a Torque Convertor. Said fluid was darker than he likes to see it. Suggested I come back in 15,000 miles and change out fluid again to get a more complete fluid change.
I still had one episode of shudders hauling up to the Tetons this past week. Not as bad as previous trips, but once in 700 miles.
Begining around 58,000 miles I had some serious shudder when towing a load of horses up a 7% grade. ( 11,000 - 13,000 lbs depending on day) usually on a 40-50 mph stretch and from what I can tell, Probably 7th gear and around 2000 rpm.
Shudder is violent, but brief. Usually 2-3 seconds and gone. Passenger in truck look at me and ask what was that.
Dealer basically said, No codes and can't reproduce ( it's very random when it happens but always when towing up a grade around 2000 rpm)
Dealer said to drive it until it breaks or leaves a code.
I had my mechanic, change out the tranny filter and as much fluid as would drain out. He thought the shudder might be a Torque Convertor. Said fluid was darker than he likes to see it. Suggested I come back in 15,000 miles and change out fluid again to get a more complete fluid change.
I still had one episode of shudders hauling up to the Tetons this past week. Not as bad as previous trips, but once in 700 miles.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 242
Likes: 22
Do you have a Limited Slip Differential in the rear axle? If so, I would change the fluid and make sure to add the friction modifier. If the problem still continues after this, you might need new clutch packs. As others have also noted, it could be transmission related too.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,024
Likes: 756
From: Texas
Did dealer do the up on lift
valve body test that loads up the system to test everything
a tech saying fluid is not what they like...is bs
A shudder in driveline is not ok
Its a hint of impending issues
You are still under warranty
go back or find a new dealer
Yes a steep grade load will put lots of stress on the system. But it should not be letting go or slipping
How are your trans temps when this happens,
The no code bs is just that
a transmission tech worth his salt knows that a code is just one piece of puzzle
You have dark fkyid, plus a shudder
he or she needs to look further
valve body test that loads up the system to test everything
a tech saying fluid is not what they like...is bs
A shudder in driveline is not ok
Its a hint of impending issues
You are still under warranty
go back or find a new dealer
Yes a steep grade load will put lots of stress on the system. But it should not be letting go or slipping
How are your trans temps when this happens,
The no code bs is just that
a transmission tech worth his salt knows that a code is just one piece of puzzle
You have dark fkyid, plus a shudder
he or she needs to look further
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,245
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From: Kaysville Utah
No idea how dealer did it. I would hope they put it on a lift, Because I would hate to pull a pan above me that has no drain and let it leak all over me if I was laying on the floor
I was pissed off enough at Ford dealer, That I didn't let him change my tranny fluid. I had a local shop that I've know for years do that.. The idea being that I'm not paying Ford wages for simple change fluid. Support my local guy.
Not under warranty, Currently 63,000 miles. My first visit to dealer was at 58,000 so I got it in the system, that I was complaining about it.
My trans temps when towing steep grades in summer heat are usually 208-210°
Since the Transmission fluid and filter was changed. I've only had one incident of shudder. We were climbing up over Teton Pass. with a same trailer but only 2 horses in trailer. So I was a couple thousand pounds lighter. But it was a 750 mile round trip, So lots of opportunity to feel a problem.
I was pissed off enough at Ford dealer, That I didn't let him change my tranny fluid. I had a local shop that I've know for years do that.. The idea being that I'm not paying Ford wages for simple change fluid. Support my local guy.
Not under warranty, Currently 63,000 miles. My first visit to dealer was at 58,000 so I got it in the system, that I was complaining about it.
My trans temps when towing steep grades in summer heat are usually 208-210°
Since the Transmission fluid and filter was changed. I've only had one incident of shudder. We were climbing up over Teton Pass. with a same trailer but only 2 horses in trailer. So I was a couple thousand pounds lighter. But it was a 750 mile round trip, So lots of opportunity to feel a problem.
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2017
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Likes: 1,376
From: Chaz
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 978
Likes: 460
My 17 did that. Under a hard pull, using lots of fuel the cp4 was not keeping pressure up and would run out of flow.
it would not last long enough to trip codes. I finally figured it out when I discovered I could duplicate it under certain conditions and was watching my idash gauge and saw the pressure drop.
it would not last long enough to trip codes. I finally figured it out when I discovered I could duplicate it under certain conditions and was watching my idash gauge and saw the pressure drop.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,355
Likes: 4,390
From: SW VA
Do you have a Limited Slip Differential in the rear axle? If so, I would change the fluid and make sure to add the friction modifier. If the problem still continues after this, you might need new clutch packs. As others have also noted, it could be transmission related too.
These trucks do not have limited slip. They are either open, or e-locked. There are no clutch packs.
Duallies are the only way to get a rear limited slip.
8th Gear
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 8
Likes: 3
This used to happen to me on my last Ram with an Aisin trans. Torque convertor shudder.
OP, the next time it happens, ease off the throttle for a second to let the convertor lock up fully and then get back on the throttle.
Unfortunately, only a small number of transmissions have this problem, and I am not sure if replacing the convertor would fix it or not, it could be in the tuning(line pressure).
I got used to it on my Ram and knew what to do when it happened. It definitely sucks and is a weird feeling. Mine only happened when pulling heavy, 16k or more.
Good luck
OP, the next time it happens, ease off the throttle for a second to let the convertor lock up fully and then get back on the throttle.
Unfortunately, only a small number of transmissions have this problem, and I am not sure if replacing the convertor would fix it or not, it could be in the tuning(line pressure).
I got used to it on my Ram and knew what to do when it happened. It definitely sucks and is a weird feeling. Mine only happened when pulling heavy, 16k or more.
Good luck
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