Torque Converter Shudder
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
I've had this problem in 2 or 3 Ford products and each time a complete fluid change corrected it. I was once told by a Ford tech I needed a new torque converter. I changed the fluid and I drove it another 30,000 miles without any further problems. That would be the first thing I would do.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,777
Likes: 863
From: Foothills of NC
I have posted earlier in this thread about the T/C shudder in my 95 t-bird. It has had the shudder since I bought the car. I put in an 18,000 lb. trans. cooler and had the fluid flushed and replaced with mercon V. I also added some Lubeguard transmission treatment.
These things only stopped the shudder for a short time.
Since the last post I bought a 2 oz. tube of Dr. Trannys Instant Shudder Fixx and poured it in. Within 20 minutes all of the shudder was gone. The shifts are firm, and T/C lockup is immediate. The hill below my house that I have always had shudder on is now smooth as glass.
This is a friction modifier, such as mercon V is a friction modified version of mercon.
I don't know how long it will work, but it is a joy to drive my car again. At $7.99 it sure beats the price of a new T/C.
There are too many of these Fords shuddering for all of them to have bad torque converters, so this might just be what is needed to help them along.
Here is the web site. Several other people I have talked to have used this over longer periods of time with nothing but good results.
http://www.lubegard.com/automotive/t...dder_fixx.html
These things only stopped the shudder for a short time.
Since the last post I bought a 2 oz. tube of Dr. Trannys Instant Shudder Fixx and poured it in. Within 20 minutes all of the shudder was gone. The shifts are firm, and T/C lockup is immediate. The hill below my house that I have always had shudder on is now smooth as glass.
This is a friction modifier, such as mercon V is a friction modified version of mercon.
I don't know how long it will work, but it is a joy to drive my car again. At $7.99 it sure beats the price of a new T/C.
There are too many of these Fords shuddering for all of them to have bad torque converters, so this might just be what is needed to help them along.
Here is the web site. Several other people I have talked to have used this over longer periods of time with nothing but good results.
http://www.lubegard.com/automotive/t...dder_fixx.html
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,777
Likes: 863
From: Foothills of NC
I got mine at the local Carquest dealer. You can do a search on google and mail order it. Just be sure to put in the complete name before you search. If you just enter "tranny shudder" you will come up with some strange sites. 
I posted a link to the mfg, International Lubricants, in my last post.
Mine seems to shift better each time I drive it.
I posted a link to the mfg, International Lubricants, in my last post.
Mine seems to shift better each time I drive it.
New User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Torque Converter Shudder
I have a 2010 F150 Lariate screw with 3500 miles. I did not test drive the truck before purchasing or would not have purchased. I've had this problem since Day 1. Been to dealers nine times for service and problem still exists. Ford Customer Service says that all F150s do this and will not replace the torque converterr.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 261
Likes: 1
I have a 2010 F150 Lariate screw with 3500 miles. I did not test drive the truck before purchasing or would not have purchased. I've had this problem since Day 1. Been to dealers nine times for service and problem still exists. Ford Customer Service says that all F150s do this and will not replace the torque converterr.
This summer, replaced the coils - as I started to think that maybe it was a coil (or two) not firing...
Fixed it!
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,157
Likes: 3
Did you replace all of them?
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 454
Likes: 0
From: Centerton, AR
The EXACT same thing is happening to mine. Just started this week.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Surrey
I have the 07 XLT 5.4 2X4 with 90K km and started to have the same TC shudder problem last week. After reading the post, I am going to change the XMT fluid and filter and hope for the best.
One question: If replacing the fluid can "fix" this problem, why not add a drain plug in the pan and change the fluid once a year like doing an oil change for the motor. This way the modified friction will never "wear" out because of the new MerconV oil.
One question: If replacing the fluid can "fix" this problem, why not add a drain plug in the pan and change the fluid once a year like doing an oil change for the motor. This way the modified friction will never "wear" out because of the new MerconV oil.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 454
Likes: 0
From: Centerton, AR
This is a false statement. If driven in 3rd it will actually lock the torque converter in 3rd after drivetrain load levels out.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Surrey
Updates ....
Talked to a trusted xmt tech and was told that the complete fluid flush may fix the shudder problem if the TC is not damaged. Replacing the TC with a heavy duty unit is the ultimate fix and cost around $800. No sure which way I will go but tend to change the fluid and filter first and hope for the best.
Talked to a trusted xmt tech and was told that the complete fluid flush may fix the shudder problem if the TC is not damaged. Replacing the TC with a heavy duty unit is the ultimate fix and cost around $800. No sure which way I will go but tend to change the fluid and filter first and hope for the best.
