Transmission shudder

[Eddie 70]

[16LT4]

I typically to a drain/fill every 25-30k miles on transmissions, and don't even bother with the multiple drain/fills within a short time interval anymore due to the frequency of replacement.  Filter every 50k.  I installed a drain plug in my transmission pan so a drain/fill is stupid-easy, and any particulate that has fallen out of suspension is removed as well.  I also pour in a 10oz bottle of Lubegard Red on every fill to every transmission.

 

Here's the UOA on the ATF in my '08 E83, which has the GM 6L45 transmission.  Not completely apples-apples compared to a 6L80/90 transmission, but not exactly Apples-Ford either.  Other than fluids/filters, the transmission is completely stock at 190,500 miles, and has never offered a hint of shudder, trouble, or shifting issue.  The fluid was last drained/filled at 165k miles, when the LG was added.  Is there life left in the fluid?  Sure.  But as fluid and suspended particulate vary inversely, and my goal is to maximize the life of the unit, not the fluid.  I'm too cheap to skimp on maintenance, and treat the K2 to the same service regimen as the old Roundel.  The K2 is due for a fluid change in ~10k miles, and I'll send the fluid in at that point as well.  I'm not concerned with the fluid as much as I'm looking for metals, especially in the 6L90 transmission, considering the known TC issues.  Note Blackstone's comment about the amount of metal in this sample: proof that the LG works awesome?  Not quite.  Support for that hypothesis?  Certainly.  Also from experience, the LG works great for knocking out the shudder from an older, neglected transmission; it cured all shift issues in my '05 F150 FX4 which didn't receive its first ATF change until 145k miles.

Edited September 17, 2022 by 16LT4

[pokismoki]

On 9/2/2022 at 4:58 AM, virtuallyunlimited said:

Same issue here, 2014 Sierra, around 98K miles. To prevent it I can either put it in 5th gear, or put it in tow mode. 

 

yeah , makes sense,since 5th gear disables v4 mode... if you go into the trans lock up and tcc slip tables, the settings for v4 mode is completly different tcc lock up slip, then when your on all 8 cylinders.  the truck likes more slip when on 4 cylinders then when on 8 cylinders. i guess v8 smoothes the shakes out vs when on 4 banger mode

Edited September 19, 2022 by pokismoki

[ACE86]

I have a 2019 Chevy Silverado LT. Took it in for rattling noise at 48k miles. Lifters and cam shaft were bad. Got it back and it shudders at coasting/maintaining speeds of 20-25, 30-35, 40-45...Shuddered bad once in a right-hand turn, right back wheel froze for a second. I call the dealer, of course the first said well maybe it's not a shudder, just a vibration from the tires. Smh..LOL...I said, Naaa, this is somewhere in that drive train; transmission, torque converter, drive shaft or somewhere. This was before I even new these forums and problems existed. It's going to the dealer tomorrow. WISH ME LUCK!!

[Rob Seed]

Have a 2015 GMC Sierra 4WD. Replaced tranny at 165K because TC was bad. At 185K and bad shuddering noise when going from V8 to V4 mode. Took it back to dealer they said it’s not TC it’s in drivetrain. Any thoughts would help. I’ve been keeping it in M5 and runs great!

 

Rob

[JimCost2014]

On 3/8/2023 at 12:20 PM, Rob Seed said:

Have a 2015 GMC Sierra 4WD. Replaced tranny at 165K because TC was bad. At 185K and bad shuddering noise when going from V8 to V4 mode. Took it back to dealer they said it’s not TC it’s in drivetrain. Any thoughts would help. I’ve been keeping it in M5 and runs great!

 

Rob

Welcome to the site.

 

Did you ask if the dealer could possibly expand on their very vague statement about the driveline? At this point all you will get here are random guesses and stories about what was wrong with other trucks, which may or may not apply to your situation.

[D. McKeithan]

I have a 2018 Chevy Silverado 6.2l with the 8L90 transmission, which had the shudder and a hard shift since 50,000 miles or so, I'd change the transmission filter and fluid around 54,000 miles, shudder went away and returned around 58,000 miles.

 At 72,000 miles I purchased a 12V vacuum pump, vacuumed the two oil cooler lines, drained the transmission and replaced the transmission filter, went back with 7 quarts of the AMSOIL special blend transmission fluid, and immediately the shudder went away and the shift is so much smooter.

[Zach24]

I have a 2017 GMC Sierra SLT with 60,000 miles on it. I’m having the same issues, mine is a 8 speed automatic. When I am cruising around 40–45 mph my truck wheel feel like it’s shuttering or like it’s I want to say begging for gas or something. But it does it also mainly for me going up inclines like small hills or long hills. it will also do it from 50 to 55 mph. But it’s funny, when I push my tow mode to make it come on it stops everything. When I turn tow mode off, it starts doing it again. It’s like a shuttering/sucking for gas/sputtering problem.
 

[MikeBMW]

Checkout

Chevrolet TSB 21-NA-199.pdf

[Judie]

HI everyone currently having shudder issues with my husbands 2018 GMC SIerra,  took it there they wanted to replace the transmission over $10k and cam shaft another $3k needless to say we took it for quotes, for reference the recent truck maintenance has been a new tow plug, then spark plugs, wires and coils ya know a tune up, so then took it to a transmissin shop for quote, he said it wasnt transmission issue but it brought up these codes PO 326 knock sensor & PO 6B6 control module knock sensor, so took too shop close to home and they replaced knock sensor, we pick it up and engine light is on still they couldnt get it to clear, they wanted over $2k for exhaust repair, so i took it to exhaust repair fixed as it had a ticking sound from muffler and leaking mesh pipe weld on connnection i cannot remember what it is called, so left there no lights on then it came on was shuddering immesnsely undrievable had flashing engine light on, had it towed to yet another shop and they replaced the 02 sensor drove it 2 hours no light on but on the wah back it still shudders, what are we missing? and my husband is hard of hearing fyi so hence why he did not hear the exhaust issues that were fixed. thanks for any advice you can give me to help its been 2 weeks in and out of shops.

[UrbanRage]

OK, there is a lot going on in your post. It would be easier if you could provide a little more info. 

- How many miles on the truck?

- Do you know which engine is has, V-6 (4.3) or the V-8 (5.3 or 6.2)?

- 6 or 8 speed transmission? 

- The did the stuttering start after the "Tune up"? 

- Do you know if the transmission fluid has been changed recently? 

 

Edited January 9, 2025 by UrbanRage

[Judie]

yes there is alot of people handling this truck in the past 6 months throwing parts at it as the different codes come up with the engine light going on and sometimes flashing,

there are approx. 220km on the truck

it is the v8 5.3 6 speed

no problem was before tune up was in Sept24 and was because truck did not feel right, thats why it got the tune up was thought it would fix problem when it was driving it had the shudder,

and it still has it when it was driven yesterday but only under doing 80km and now no engine light on since they put in an 02 sensor

transmission fluid was change at around 190k

also before tuneup truck had 02 sensor replaced and trailer brake controller replaced

Edited January 9, 2025 by Judie

[UrbanRage]

If the stuttering started after the tune-up, it could be something as simple as a spark plug, wire or one of the coils. Without seeing the issue in person it is difficult to give you a definitive answer. If there is a dealership close by, I would have them look at it. I understand they are more expensive, but it seems like you have been getting the run around at the other shops. 

[Judie]

Hi again the shuddering was before the tune up, that is why we ended up getting the tuneup.. I think the first shop had no clue what they were doing, the second was for exhaust and that was fine and the latest one the guys is salt of the earth so he kept it real with me and so from the current shop they had replaced 02 sensor pre catylst i believe and it was still shuddering, but the engine light was not on, then they put in new spark plug wires as when they tested the existing ones (that were done in August 24) they were arcing and he also added a differential additive because he's had a customer with a similar problem recently and doing the additive has helped. So i picked up the truck yesterday afternoon, no engine light on and it seemed to drive good, better than ever really.  Today it will go on the highway drive to really test her out. But the mechanic and I talked for 20 minutes about the truck, he has owned teh last 4 models of this truck same as us and we both feel basically there is probably still an underlying issue but until it breaks we cannot 100% figure out completely I think. If it ends up being a transmission break then I will not be replacing it with GM one it seems to be the same, it will be a rebuild with better components.  thx