2011 GMC Sierra 5.3 with transmission shutter

[Kelly Dawson]

Hey looking for some advice as to why my 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 5.3l has a vibration between 40 and 50 km\hr.  First I thought it was a drive shaft but I had both u joints changed out.  Still got the vibration.  So after a few more test drive I discovered  that if I shift into manual the vibration goes away…..when I shift back to automatic the vibration is back.  This only last for a few seconds.  Any ideas could it be time to change the transmission oil. Truck has 135000km.

thanks

[MN2Sailor]

I have a 2013 Sierra with 129k and it’s doing the exact thing. I also had the undoings replaced and the driveshaft rebalanced. I did read it’s called torque converter shudder. If you’ve never changed the fluid, I’d recommend you do it. I actually found a product called

Dr Tranny instant torque converter shudder eliminator.. it sells at Oreilly Auto parts. It’s about 11.00 . Y put it in the tranny fill port.. squeeze the whole thing with engine at idle. Should help it. 
mom having my truck diagnosed next week.. I’ll let you know what they find out. 

[CamGTP]

If new fluid and some sort of additive don't help, then it needs a new torque converter.

 

6L80e torque converter failures are fairly common.

[Kelly Dawson]

Thanks for the replies. I’ve never had the transmission fluid changed.  I’ll do some research on the Dr Tranny.  Keep me updated.

 

[Jworks]

I have a 2011 also, 4x4, I bought from a dealer with 95k miles on it.  At 130k I noticed the fluid was still pinkish and not the bright color it was when I bought it.  I suspected maybe the dealer changed fluid before they sold it, but didn't know for sure.  I was having no issues, but not knowing if the fluid had been changed out at the 100k mark like the factory says I wasn't sure if I should do it or not.  I'd always heard NO, dont do that, it could cause problems.....just let it ride.  So, I asked a dealer.  One said they didn't recommend it, another dealer said OK.  I talked with two independent trans places -- same answers, one Yes and one No.  Bottom line after I thought it over a lot.........AND discussing it with people on here, I came to the conclusion (rightly or wrongly) the transmission shops "may" have a built in bias to let it ride and get a future repair job.  Again, rightly or wrongly, thats what I decided and had an independent change out the fluid but -- not a full flush.  I did it, and have no problems.  The discussion I had with certain members on here knew a lot more about this than me.  That, I could tell.  They all said change it out.  An independent I trusted charged me $160.  Dealership wanted $250 for the same thing.  You can make up your own mind because yours is a little past where mine was when I changed it.  You are 135k , mine was 130k.  Mine "may" have been changed at 95k at the dealership, which I don't know -- but I do know it was bright red when I bought it -- strongly suggesting they had changed it before putting it uip for sale.  If they did, changing again at 130k "probably" wouldn't hurt it.  In your case, it sounds like you've had the truck a while and the fluid has never been changed.  So, to change or not change is a decision you'll have to come to. I think that shudder can be eliminated with what others recommend.  I think I had that many years ago and did something like that. 

 

 

Edited September 26, 2021 by Jworks

[diyer2]

Food for thought.

I have changed my fluids more frequently than the manuals recommend. Especially motor oil and transmission fluid. Have never had a problem or failure in 50 + years.  

[swathdiver]

If you want your transmissions to last, follow the severe service maintenance schedule fellas.  Can't hurt to change it even sooner.  The stock fluid is all but dead by 50K miles.  These things can easily best 300K when the fluid is changed regularly.

 

Most dealerships will not want to drop the pan anymore and instead do a fluid exchange.  This is OK once or twice but you ought to change the filter as the manual prescribes.  They also use the TransFlow machine to test the condition of the transmission oil cooler and lines for the proper flow.

[Black02Silverado]

I'm surprised that there isn't commercial out for having transmission fluid changed out like there is for motor oil.  One would think that the oil companies would want more money coming in.  It seems what ever is widely marketed is what happens.

 

For me the transmission fluid should be changed out at least every 50k.  I've gone longer running AMSOIL, like in my 2002. Ran it to 100k and had a UOA done on it and it showed it was still good and there wasn't any major wear material either.

[diyer2]

So many people ignore the transmission. Makes no sense to me. 

[Black02Silverado]

8 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

So many people ignore the transmission. Makes no sense to me. 

They ignore it because for the most part most don't know to change it.  It's not pushed like oil changes. Not to mention most don't read the owners manual.

[KARNUT]

6 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

So many people ignore the transmission. Makes no sense to me. 

I see people routinely bash the dealership. They get lumped in that all are bad. Once I hit 40 years old and got tired of doing my own service.  I shopped dealerships like I would anyplace I would purchase from. Once I found a couple I not only bought most of my vehicles there but had them serviced there. The good ones send coupons that make oil changes, brake jobs, battery prices cheaper than anywhere else. They’ll definitely remind you of other maintenance you need to perform. My granddaughter stopped by over the weekend. She drives my 17 Camry. She recently got and oil change at a popular place not the dealer and a battery. She showed me recipes. I pulled the old ones of mine out of her glove box. Sure enough 10$ cheaper at the dealer. They still send me coupons. The battery was cheaper at the dealership. Shopping around is the key. 

[diyer2]

Karnut,

Consider this.

Having a business, buying more vehicles than most and driving more miles than the regular Joe the dealers were making money off you . More services, more money. They took care of you. Repeat business is key to any business.

 

I owned a small business and bought material from different sources. One source was cheaper for certain materials than the other. Shopping is a must.

[Grumpy Bear]

45 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

I owned a small business and bought material from different sources. One source was cheaper for certain materials than the other. Shopping is a must.

 

Late in my working life I was poached from an oil company to manage the maintenance department of a manufacturing plant (and get them out of hot water with the EPA). Even I was stunned by how much money I saved them in parts cost just shopping. Literally cut that plants maintenance cost by 60% in under 60 days. Down time by about 30%. Bought better parts cheaper. At 90 days I had exactly one vendor of the originals left as a source but not with the original contract .

 

Volume is a powerful tool. But even one's and two's can be shopped down if your willing to step out of your area. 

[swathdiver]

Am shopping tires, local dealer charges less for alignment and is competitive on tires.  Do I mind paying a little more for ASE mechanics to work on my truck?  Nope.  We get what we pay for.

[KARNUT]

1 hour ago, diyer2 said:

Karnut,

Consider this.

Having a business, buying more vehicles than most and driving more miles than the regular Joe the dealers were making money off you . More services, more money. They took care of you. Repeat business is key to any business.

 

I owned a small business and bought material from different sources. One source was cheaper for certain materials than the other. Shopping is a must.

The other side of the coin of course are our wives and kids vehicles. Unlike myself they drive average miles, as I do retired. Ten, fifteen thousand miles a year. I only give personal experience along with business experience. Even though I’m aware of other fluid services involved with vehicle maintenance. Most people aren’t aware. Painting a broad brush of dealer maintenance BAD. It’s good keeping bases covered. My son got a bad burger at our local McDonald’s years ago. Put him in the hospital. They semi owned up to the problem and fired the cook. We simply went to the other side of town for McDonald’s.