Has anyone had a smooth shifting 10 speed? Do they all do the occasional clunk?

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20Expy

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I recently learned about a TSB for rough shifting 10 speeds. Our 2020 had always been rough since we bought it new 50,000km ago at the end of 2019. A lot of people say it's just how it is, so we just grinned when it occasionally clunks and jerks, until I read about stories on this forum that a transmission swap would cost $9000 outside of warranty from @The Yeti :
https://www.expeditionforum.com/thr...ement-and-or-harsh-delayed-shift.54334/page-3


The rough shifts only happen at lower speeds, either when the transmission downshifts coasting to a stop, or when gently accelerating from slow speeds it would clunk down to a lower gear. We've not had any neutral-out situation or any codes YET, but the shifts you can definitely feel, more or less sometimes. I didn't pay attention to what gear it was in when the clunks happen, but it happened at speeds between 20 km/h to 50 km/h at light throttle or no throttle when coasting.

The thing is, our Powertrain Warranty runs out in less than a year, so if the tranny acts up and started throwing codes right after the end of this year, it would be too late and we will have to pay $9000 to replace or $5700 to rebuild with the new CDF drum. But the other side of me thinks that I have already dealt with these rough shifts for 4 years already, so might as well not mess with it when it only occasionally annoys me. Still, I don't think it would hurt to bring it in while the Powertrain Warranty is still valid, right? The tranny is the only thing that really, really annoys me with the Expy.

Should I bring it in, or should I not mess with it?
Do you think the dealer would go ahead with the TSB, or is occasional "rough shifting" not enough of a symptom for them to continue the service bulletin?
Anyone have a "rough shifting" high mileage Expy with zero problems so far?
If so, has it gotten worse over time?
Lastly, has anyone gotten a smooth shifting 10 speed, especially after the CDF drum was done?
Keep in mind, I'm really shooked after learning that a tranny swap is 9k and that my Powertrain Warranty is expiring in less than a year. Any opinion would be really appreciated, thanks you all!
 
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2020-MAX-Limited

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Our 2020 MAX Limited was delivered June 18, 2020. We bought it used Dec 7, 2022 with 72K miles on the clock. In the year since, we added 4.5K miles. In our year with the car, we have never experienced any rough shifting. There's no transmission maintenance mentioned in CARFAX. I definitely can say it is completely "smooth shifting" both up and down.
 

2018ExpyPlatinum

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Just turned 55K on mine. It's always been smooth. Never feel it shift. That being said, on two occasions recently, it seemed hung up in 5th and then it went to 7th. The other day going up a grade, it needed to down shift, and it just wouldn't. I don't know if that's "normal", or the beginning of the end.
 

BravoAlpha

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I know what you are talking about I’ve ridden in some that do it. I’ve witnessed it with Dodge rams and Tahoe’s too.

No clunking in mine so far and it’s been smooth.
 

Hellwig

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My brand new 2024 expedition xlt 4x4 has rough downshift from 5 to 3 and 4 to 3 since day one. 4A drive mode can mitigate this problem. I also find premium gas can smooth it a little even with Normal/2H mode.
 

GixxerJasen

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Mine shifts smoothly, but I've had three neutral out situations in the year I've owned it. Last one happened in fast moving traffic in Dallas. I dropped it off yesterday hoping they can do the specific TSB for that. Otherwise, never had a clunky shift. Hoping the "Fix" for neutral out doesn't bring a clunky shift.
 

sixstring

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I have a clunk just a few times a year. not a big deal. What I don't like about the transmission is there is always about a 1-2 second delay when I switch from D to R for R to actually move the vehicle.
 

SyndicateZ

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Cant you just get a FORD ESP and have it covered after the factory warranty expires?
 
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20Expy

20Expy

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Cant you just get a FORD ESP and have it covered after the factory warranty expires?
Considering it, but our Powertrain Warranty has not expired yet so we might as well use it, right? I'm sure the 5 year/60k mile covers the Tranny TSB? We've learned our lesson with not utilising the Bumper To Bumper 3 year warranty and ending up having to pay out of pocket to fix some small things right after it expired. That said, the ESP would give us a great piece of mind for longer term use!
 
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20Expy

20Expy

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I know what you are talking about I’ve ridden in some that do it. I’ve witnessed it with Dodge rams and Tahoe’s too.

No clunking in mine so far and it’s been smooth.
Wow, I always thought the ZF 8 speeds in the Rams were always the smoothest and they would clunk and jerk too! Do you think this occasional rough shift is normal and I shouldn't bring it in for the TSB? Thanks for the reply!
 
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20Expy

20Expy

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My brand new 2024 expedition xlt 4x4 has rough downshift from 5 to 3 and 4 to 3 since day one. 4A drive mode can mitigate this problem. I also find premium gas can smooth it a little even with Normal/2H mode.
Wow, I thought the 2024 come with the new CDF drum design that shifts 100% smoothly. Are you planning to bring it in anytime soon? You still have years and years of warranty left, unlike my situation!

Just turned 55K on mine. It's always been smooth. Never feel it shift. That being said, on two occasions recently, it seemed hung up in 5th and then it went to 7th. The other day going up a grade, it needed to down shift, and it just wouldn't. I don't know if that's "normal", or the beginning of the end.
Mine shifts smoothly, but I've had three neutral out situations in the year I've owned it. Last one happened in fast moving traffic in Dallas. I dropped it off yesterday hoping they can do the specific TSB for that. Otherwise, never had a clunky shift. Hoping the "Fix" for neutral out doesn't bring a clunky shift.
Please keep us updated, thanks you all!
 

99WhiteC5Coupe

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My brand new 2024 expedition xlt 4x4 has rough downshift from 5 to 3 and 4 to 3 since day one. 4A drive mode can mitigate this problem. I also find premium gas can smooth it a little even with Normal/2H mode.


Wow!

Are you going to take it to a Ford dealer for repair of live with the rough shifts?
 

Hellwig

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Wow, I thought the 2024 come with the new CDF drum design that shifts 100% smoothly. Are you planning to bring it in anytime soon? You still have years and years of warranty left, unlike my situation!



Please keep us updated, thanks you all!

I will bring it in and discuss it with dealership once I do my second oil change. Honestly, I don't think this is a CDF problem. It might be fixed by either a re-learning or a new valve body.
 

BravoAlpha

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Wow, I always thought the ZF 8 speeds in the Rams were always the smoothest and they would clunk and jerk too! Do you think this occasional rough shift is normal and I shouldn't bring it in for the TSB? Thanks for the reply!

Most are. My Silverado Z71 (8L90) is very smooth. It slips and clunks from time to time.… right when I’ve forgotten.

I wouldn’t be bothered by it. But that’s me. I’ve adjusted my driving style a bit lately too.
 

skydude

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2012, Im the original owner, 200,000 miles on the tranny and its being doing it for years.. I took it to my mechanic years ago and he said dont bother till it breaks..
Sometimes it does it other times not.. it depends how I slow down..
 

Mr Big

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If the vehicle is used or driven by different drivers, the vehicle learns and adjusts parameters. This can cause poor acceleration, rough shifting, and more.
When I purchased my use Expedition Platinum, it was doggy, shifted rough, floated like a boat, steering was loose and more. My Son came over and hooked up his tablet and using Forscan, he reset the PCM. The first thing I noticed was the performance, second shifting, steering and suspension. Now the vehicle is using my driving habits instead of the previous driver's.
With that said, if you have access to Forscan, you can reset your PCM. This will wipe out the memory, reset all the parameters of the model you have. I have read that it's a good idea to perform this occasionally. You can also search how to do it manually or I'm sure the dealership will do it for a fee.
 
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