Chatter on the 2-3 shift

[Bluerauder]

Seems that I am beginning to feel some chatter (some might call it a mild transmission shudder) on the 2-3 shift. :( My MM is at 21,500 miles. Does this mean that I am due for a tranny service and full flush? Alot of my driving is in heavy traffic. Same thing occasionally happens on the 3-2 downshift but not quite as noticeable. Just seems to have started recently within the last 1-2 weeks that I've noticed. Did a search on "chatter"; but didn't find anything on this particular subject except the tranny service info. :rolleyes:

[MENINBLK]

Your transmission should have already been serviced at least ONCE...

[RF Overlord]

Although it's *possible* that your transmission fluid is degraded enough to cause the dreaded TCC shudder, that effect generally only occurs on an upshift; the fact that yours does it on a 3-2 is perplexing...you can try changing the fluid and see if that improves things, or take it to the dealer and ask them to check it out before it gets much worse.

[Bluerauder]

Your transmission should have already been serviced at least ONCE...
Maintenance Service Schedule provided with the car says transmission fluid change is at 30,000. I guess that was my question -- should it be done every 15,000 or some other schedule. :D

Thanks, RF --- I'll get 'er in and see if the fluid change makes a difference. Dayum ... maybe I should have a standing weekly appointment with the service department. :rolleyes: Tires, A/C, wiper motor, and now the Trans shudder.

[RF Overlord]

I guess that was my question -- should it be done every 15,000 or some other schedule.It depends a lot on your driving habits...30,000 miles is OK for a car that sees light duty; a lot of stop-and-go and/or "spirited" driving will kill the fluid much faster. Every 15,000 miles is a better interval. Get yourself a transmission pan from an E350 (I think)...the one with a built-in drain plug. Makes changing the ATF almost as easy as changing the oil. :rasta: I got mine from Dennis...

[ctrcbob]

Years ago, I had a 94 T-Bird that my wife would seldom drive. (She had her own car). One day, she drove my car and first thing she said was that it sounded like she was driving over rumble strips when it shifted. I then drove it, and she was right. Felt just like I was driving over rumble strips. (Funny that I never noticed it, but she did right away). Car had something like 35,850 miles on it. Just before the warranty ran out. Took it to dealer who changed out the Torque Converter. Said it happened to a lot of them. Don't know if there was a Service Bulletin or not on it, but I discovered it 150 miles before my warranty ran out.

[Smokie]

You will get good results if you search under shudder, my opinion is you have a bad torque converter, the lock-up clutch to be exact.

[Bluerauder]

...my opinion is you have a bad torque converter, the lock-up clutch to be exact.

I was hoping that someone was NOT gonna say that !!! :(


Years ago, I had a 94 T-Bird ... she said was that it sounded like she was driving over rumble strips when it shifted. I then drove it, and she was right. ... Took it to dealer who changed out the Torque Converter. Said it happened to a lot of them.

Oddly enough, I had a '94 Thunderbird with the exact same problem ... but mine was out-of-warranty, Out-of-Pocket and closer to 45,000 miles. Same solution with the Torque Converter. :rolleyes:


It depends a lot on your driving habits...30,000 miles is OK for a car that sees light duty; a lot of stop-and-go and/or "spirited" driving will kill the fluid much faster

Well, that could be it as well. Whenever I am not sitting in stop-and-go traffic I guess you could consider my driving somewhat "spirited" :rofl:

[merc]

Charlie, if it turns out to be a torque converter I have a O.E.M replacement. :rasta:

[Bluerauder]

Charlie, if it turns out to be a torque converter I have a O.E.M replacement. :rasta:
Okey Doke --- you just have spare parts laying around !!! Wow, where did you get the pic in your signature? Is that new?? I like it and the blue/black effect :2thumbs: Or is it black/blue effect? :rofl:

[merc]

Okey Doke --- you just have spare parts laying around !!! Wow, where did you get the pic in your signature? Is that new?? I like it and the blue/black effect :2thumbs: Or is it black/blue effect? :rofl:

It's new, and I made it using Adobe Photo shop for Macintosh.

[MENINBLK]

Maintenance Service Schedule provided with the car says transmission fluid change is at 30,000. I guess that was my question -- should it be done every 15,000 or some other schedule. :D

Thanks, RF --- I'll get 'er in and see if the fluid change makes a difference. Dayum ... maybe I should have a standing weekly appointment with the service department. :rolleyes: Tires, A/C, wiper motor, and now the Trans shudder.

If any of you follow the FORD Suggested Maintenance schedule,
I've got a bridge I want to sell you...

I lost TWO Transaxles following FORD's Suggested Maintenance Schedule
and with 80% HIGHWAY driving...

My first tranny service was 18,000 miles.
My next one will be 36,000 miles which is coming up soon.
If you want a NO QUESTIONS ASKED Transmission warranty repair,
don't wait for 30,000 miles to service it.

Why ???

If you service it at 30,000+ miles, when it fails it will be
PAST 36,000 miles and on your dime..

[Bluerauder]

Cool ... we have another vendor !!! :laugh:


If any of you follow the FORD Suggested Maintenance schedule,
I've got a bridge I want to sell you....

[Marauderjack]

One 4 ounce bottle of Ford's "Friction Modifier" and the problem is solved!! :beer:

Every CV I have had developed the TC "Shudder" except the 2000 model!! A Lincoln tech told me of the cure and it really works ASAP!! :banana2: I had a friend with a 95 Town Car with 80 K miles that would literally rattle the dash and it fixed it within 5 miles....NEVER CAME BACK....he had 150K miles on it when he sold it!!

Try it.....You have nothing to lose and can still get the warranty TC replacement if necessary?? ;)

Marauderjack :D

[Bluerauder]

Had the transmission serviced today at 21,700 miles. :D I noticed that it seemed to shift much smoother coming home including the 2-3. I am gonna go with MENINBLACK's suggested 18K tranny service schedule since I do alot of Stop-and-Go heavy traffic driving. :up: Of course, this is usually followed by some "spirited driving" when conditions allow. :rolleyes:

Somebody remind me when I am coming up on the 40,000 mark. :rofl:

[Fourth Horseman]

Oddly enough, I had a '94 Thunderbird with the exact same problem ... but mine was out-of-warranty, Out-of-Pocket and closer to 45,000 miles. Same solution with the Torque Converter. :rolleyes:

My '97 V8 T-Bird had the same thing. :/