Did mercon in torqshift damage it?? Please help

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Sep 16, 2007 | 02:29 PM

higgsrv

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Did mercon in torqshift damage it?? Please help

Have 2003 F350 6L diesel with 63000 mi. Shop put mercon instead of mercon sp. during routine fluid change. Drove 140 mi over 6 days, no towing. Had it flushed at Ford dealer and mercon sp put in. Within a day feel shuddering and slipping from standing start thru first gear. Then feels ok. Can it be assumed the mercon damaged the trans? Can that kind of damage be repaired or does trans need to be replaced. I pull a 14000lb fifth wheel alot as I'm a fulltime RVer.

Sep 16, 2007 | 07:50 PM

Mark Kovalsky

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From: SE Florida

IF there is damage, it is to the solenoids. If the problems contimue you may have to change the solenoids. The correct fluid may clear the problem without having the change anything.

Sep 16, 2007 | 08:42 PM

higgsrv

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Thanks for responding Mark. Have been driving for 5 days with correct fluid but still feel the shudder/vibration from 0-5 mph start (which I presume is just shifting from 1st into 2nd gear). Do not feel any shudder/vibration thru the next shift changes to fifth. Pardon my ignorance but where are the selenoids and what do they have to do with transmission?? Do you think another complete flush with internal and external filter change would do any good? or just a solenoid change? I thought once the clutch plates/discs started slipping (if that is what is causing the shudder) they were toast and would only get worse until complete failure occurred.

Sep 17, 2007 | 02:24 PM

Mark Kovalsky

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From: SE Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by higgsrv

feel the shudder/vibration from 0-5 mph start (which I presume is just shifting from 1st into 2nd gear).

The trans is probably not shifting into second below 5 MPH. Takeoff shudder is often due to a misaligned carrier bearing in the driveshaft, not at all related to the transmission.

Quote:

Originally Posted by higgsrv

Pardon my ignorance but where are the selenoids and what do they have to do with transmission??

The solenoids are located inside the pan. They control pressure to each of the clutches. They are what makes the trans shift.

Quote:

Originally Posted by higgsrv

Do you think another complete flush with internal and external filter change would do any good? or just a solenoid change? I thought once the clutch plates/discs started slipping (if that is what is causing the shudder) they were toast and would only get worse until complete failure occurred.

I'd have someone look at the driveshaft. That's probably causing the shudder. Solenoid problems usually cause problems during a shift. I don't think you are getting a shift at 5 MPH. Right now I would not bother changing the fluid and filters again. I certainly wouldn't spend $$$$$ changing solenoids on a guess.

Sep 17, 2007 | 03:58 PM

higgsrv

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possible carrier bearing problem

Thanks again Mark. I have it a Ford dealer today being checked out. I changed the center line carrier bearing at the auto hobby shop (on an Air Force Base) on Thurs. with the help of shop personnel. They pounded the heck out of the bearing to get it back on the driveshaft. Then again had to pound the heck out of the rear driveshaft to get it to slide back on the splined shaft. It was after that that I really noticed the vibration. Do you think those guys messed up the bearing?? He had a heck of time getting the old bearing off. Then pounded the new one on with a steel pipe that fit down over the drive shaft that the bearing slides over.

Sep 17, 2007 | 05:25 PM

higgsrv

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Mark, If it is a misaligned carrier bearing, which is starting to make a lot of sense to me as the cause of the vibration, can it be properly aligned with weights placed on the drive shaft?? The one we took off was literally destroyed taking it off so I presume u can't take the new one off and put it back on. Is it best just to pay the Ford dealer to put another new carrier bearing on to replace the new, but misaligned one??

Sep 17, 2007 | 07:08 PM

higgsrv

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Mark, Just heard from Ford dealer. I had told them about changing the carrier bearing. They took driveline apart and had a hell of time pulling the rear driveline off. They said there is significant damage to the front driveline I presume from the guy helping me pounding it on with a hammer. Must be replaced with a new one from Ford for $890 and $150 to install. What a disaster. Trying to save a few bucks replacing the carrier bearing myself (with auto hobby shop personnel help) now going to cost me over $1000 because this guy who is supposed to know what he is doing took a hammer to it. (In fact he's the one who told me the carrier bearing needed replacing in the first place!!) I believe the auto hobby shop should be liable for all my costs but being on a air force installation I'm sure they won't take any responsibility. But thanks for your help. You pegged what was going on. John