Transmission Shudder

[walktastic]

I have a 1998 GMC 5.7 auto and lately i have noticed that my transmission shudders and sputters between 2nd and 3rd. Sometimes it does this for almost 3 seconds and shakes the entire truck. I checked the fluid and it seems a little dirty but nothing crazy. Is there any other way i can narrow down the possible problems to figure out if the transmission is going bad on me?

[Zembonez]

First thing I would do is do a fluid flush and refill. If the old fluid is burnt or losing its viscosity, it might be causing it to not engage properly. It's also very possible that it is nearing rebuild time on a 98 model.

[MikeInCtown]

I know it's not a full size but I had a terrible shudder in my S-10. From the day I got it used it would shudder off the line. This winter (after I'd had it for 60,000 miles) it did it at all speeds, some worse than others. Found out U-joints were bad, carrier bearing rubber mount was toast and the trans mount was mush.

 

I would invest in the cheap mounts before thinking about tearing apart the trans.

[Zembonez]

I know it's not a full size but I had a terrible shudder in my S-10. From the day I got it used it would shudder off the line. This winter (after I'd had it for 60,000 miles) it did it at all speeds, some worse than others. Found out U-joints were bad, carrier bearing rubber mount was toast and the trans mount was mush.

 

I would invest in the cheap mounts before thinking about tearing apart the trans.

Good point!

 

Make sure it's actually the trans before you spend rebuild money for sure.

[walktastic]

yeah thats why im trying to find out every other possible thing. i really dont want to put a rebuilt tranny on a motor with 183k miles. would a motor problem be out of the question because it only happens when i give it some gas on an incline

[wages999]

The transmission on my Grand Marquis was shuddering going from 3rd to 4th and when on incline's. It was getting bad enough that I had to lock it out of overdrive a couple of times. I didn't want to put the money into it to rebuild the transmission, so I thought I would live with it until the transmission completely failed. I found some forums where people had used a product called Dr. Tranny's Instant Shudder Fix. The transmission hasn't shuddered since I put it in about 6,000 miles ago. It is supposedly carried by NAPA and Federated Auto Parts, but no one close to me carried it. I ended up buying it off of ebay. It might be worth a shot if you don't want to rebuild the transmission.

[txab]

The transmission on my Grand Marquis was shuddering going from 3rd to 4th and when on incline's. It was getting bad enough that I had to lock it out of overdrive a couple of times. I didn't want to put the money into it to rebuild the transmission, so I thought I would live with it until the transmission completely failed. I found some forums where people had used a product called Dr. Tranny's Instant Shudder Fix. The transmission hasn't shuddered since I put it in about 6,000 miles ago. It is supposedly carried by NAPA and Federated Auto Parts, but no one close to me carried it. I ended up buying it off of ebay. It might be worth a shot if you don't want to rebuild the transmission.

 

Your problem was a converter lock-up shudder. A fluid flush,change and filter generally clears this up on Ford/Lincoln products. I've had several Lincoln TCs that exhibited a barely noticeable shudder right about the recommended change mileage. After the change no shudder. The two TCs I still drive have over 100k each.

 

OP's problem is 2-3 shift. +1 on what Zembonez said, drop the pan. See how much clutch material is on the bottom of the pan. Clean, fresh fluid and filter might make a difference. Or it could be time for a rebuild.

[wages999]

Your problem was a converter lock-up shudder. A fluid flush,change and filter generally clears this up on Ford/Lincoln products. I've had several Lincoln TCs that exhibited a barely noticeable shudder right about the recommended change mileage. After the change no shudder. The two TCs I still drive have over 100k each.

 

OP's problem is 2-3 shift. +1 on what Zembonez said, drop the pan. See how much clutch material is on the bottom of the pan. Clean, fresh fluid and filter might make a difference. Or it could be time for a rebuild.

 

The flush is actually the cause of the problem because they have "improved" the transmission fluid and don't make what was originally in the transmission. The new Ford transmission fluid doesn't have the correct viscosity, thus causing the transmission to slip 25-30K miles after the flush (done at a Ford dealer). New fluid and filter didn't help the slipping. Putting the viscosity additive in the transmission kept it from slipping.

 

Changing the fluid and filter would be my first recommendation also, but if it doesn't help, an additive that cost less than $10 might make the transmission last a little longer.

[MA87K5]

My fathers chevy van did it in reverse and only with a little pedal. Tried to mimick when I jacked it off the ground. No luck. That was the the reverse clutches. I have had bad u-joints b4 and the noise was grinding and screatching metal until it falls apart. not fun.

[MA87K5]

After re-reading your post I would deff say that it is your tranny.

[walktastic]

so i went to the dealer to get a flush and apparently if i get the flush without a new filter or dropping the pan, it could cause problems. anybody hear this or is the "stealer" just blowing smoke?

[VR021302]

so i went to the dealer to get a flush and apparently if i get the flush without a new filter or dropping the pan, it could cause problems. anybody hear this or is the "stealer" just blowing smoke?

 

Well, it CAN, but not likely. If you have never had either done then it's more likely. I usually do a flush, then a filter change, then a flush, then filter, and so on. U r prolly better off doing the filter now and the flush after another 30k. Or have the dealer do the flush, and do the filter urself.