Transmission "Shuddering"

[grasshopprdisco]

2008 EL...transmission is "shuddering" intermittently while driving. I know it needs fluid and filter change.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

2008 EL...transmission is "shuddering" intermittently while driving. I know it needs fluid and filter change.

I think the answer to the problem is in your post......

 

[grasshopprdisco]

That is what i certainly am going to do first, hoping that is all it is.

 

[USMCBuckWild]

Shuddering is bad. If you know it needs fluid and filter change do not delay doing so or you are going to need a new trans. I know, stating the obvious.

 

[1955moose]

I'm probably going to hear crap on this one, but you don't do a filter/ fluid swap to fix an automatic transmission problem. How many miles on your vehicle? If transmission fluid is burnt, draining and refilling makes shift and noise problems worse. You will need to diagnose your problem first.


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[grasshopprdisco]

I'm probably going to hear crap on this one, but you don't do a filter/ fluid swap to fix an automatic transmission problem. How many miles on your vehicle? If transmission fluid is burnt, draining and refilling makes shift and noise problems worse. You will need to diagnose your problem first.

It's past due for fluid and filter service anyway, approx 160k miles.

 

[1955moose]

Is the shudder at certain speeds? Their have been quite a few forum members that have referred to their shuddering as rumble strips. It seems to be worst at about 40-50 mph. A few times it has been a problem with their torque convertor. Check online if their are any tsb bulletins from dealer. Sounds like either way trans will have to be torn into. You might also want to dump your codes from diagnostic port, to see if anything pops up. Rember, you don't want to guess and throw money and parts at your SUV. Keep us posted, what you find.


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[USMCBuckWild]

I had the same shuddering in my wife's 08 4.6 Exploder at 146k. I did a basic trans service (Motorcraft filter and Valvoline MaxLife ATF) and it cleared up immediately. Cost me about $60. I have since changed it to AMSOIL due to getting a great deal on it.

The weekend I got my Expedition I did a trans service on it as well. (Motorcraft filter and leftover AMSOIL) Preventative maintenance.


Just my $0.02.

 

[1oldtimer]

I would also suggest seeing if there is an update for the tranny and ECU.

 

[grasshopprdisco]

Going in to shop this week for fluid and filter change, scheduling in between baseball games and practices. What about a modulator, is there one and should it be changed out also?

 

[dmm5157]

Was experiencing the shuddering when around 35-50 mph. Swapped out my transmission fluid (didn't change the filter) and it completely went away. It's been around 10,000 miles since I did that, still no issues. My truck was around 155,000 miles when I did the swap.

Worth mentioning that before I swapped the transmission fluid the shuddering would go away completely if I switched off OVERDRIVE (button on the shifting knob).

 

[jeff kushner]

Mine began shuddering and within 2 weeks, was slipping so bad I couldn't drive it....dead at 171K

 

[grasshopprdisco]

After fluid flush and filter change, shuddering stopped completely.

 

[1955moose]

Wow, I would have never believed old trans fluid could cause these issues. But three of you had amazing results. Good to hear, just a fluid swap out could fix your issue, but glad it did. Thanks for the update.


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[dmm5157]

Wow, I would have never believed old trans fluid could cause these issues. But three of you had amazing results. Good to hear, just a fluid swap out could fix your issue, but glad it did. Thanks for the update.


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Do you have the Overdrive button on your shifting knob? If so, you can do a quick test on the shuddering by clicking the button to turn off O/D. I think they added that with the 2007 model year (new transmission).

It's worth a shot to swap the trans fluid anyways, it's cheap and easy to do.

 

[1955moose]

Grasshopper fixed his problem with the fluid/ filter change. Read post 13. It still amazes me that it works. For those of you with the 3rd gen vehicles, be sure to change fluid on schedule or even a little early.


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[dmm5157]

Grasshopper fixed his problem with the fluid/ filter change. Read post 13. It still amazes me that it works. For those of you with the 3rd gen vehicles, be sure to change fluid on schedule or even a little early.


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Oops, forgot who posted original thread.

Yeah, it is pretty amazing to be honest. I figured tranny was done, but last year picked up on it when a few people said change the fluid and see what happens. Sure enough, like magic.

It costs about $20 and takes minutes to do now that I have the pump. I'm just going to change fluid out once a year, or if shuddering starts coming back. Again, did the first change a year ago and it's still doing very well.

 

[1955moose]

I've been around cars and trucks for 45 years. First I've ever heard of fluid making shifting and noise better. I've seen countless times where we changed fluid, and it made everything worse. Back then a fluid/ filter change was about $75.00 parts and labor, but customers came in with burnt fluid, and 70k plus on service. 30k was the norm. These new multi gear transmissions are amazing. I sure wouldn't want to rebuild one. 3 speed and 4 speed over drives were tough enough!


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[Thick]

Was experiencing the shuddering when around 35-50 mph. Swapped out my transmission fluid (didn't change the filter) and it completely went away. It's been around 10,000 miles since I did that, still no issues. My truck was around 155,000 miles when I did the swap.

Worth mentioning that before I swapped the transmission fluid the shuddering would go away completely if I switched off OVERDRIVE (button on the shifting knob).

I just had a safety inspection performed on a new (to me) 2009 Expedition EB 4x2. It drives fine now at just miles short of 130k miles... he told me to avoid doing any flush or transmission maintenance unless there were previous records of prior maintenance. He explained it will just loosen up the varnish in the transmission and cause failure...

After reading this thread... I may go back on his recommendation. Power flush or just drain, filter, and fill?

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[dmm5157]

I just had a safety inspection performed on a new (to me) 2009 Expedition EB 4x2. It drives fine now at just miles short of 130k miles... he told me to avoid doing any flush or transmission maintenance unless there were previous records of prior maintenance. He explained it will just loosen up the varnish in the transmission and cause failure...

After reading this thread... I may go back on his recommendation. Power flush or just drain, filter, and fill?

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I just drained and refilled, not flush. And in my case, I didn't change the filter. Long story short, I dropped the pan but auto parts store gave me the wrong filter. Easier to drain and replace fluid with a 2 way fluid pump through the fill hole than to drop the pan.