Possible torque converter shudder?

I just recently picked up a used 05 tundra with 168k miles. I’ve had it for about 2 weeks. Just yesterday and today I’ve noticed what I think is torque converter shutter? When driving I’ve noticed if I was in overdrive and start to go up a slight incline, the truck starts to shake/vibrate, if it down shifts it seems to go right away. Is this torque converter shutter? It isnt terribly frequent but I’ve noticed it a few times these last couple days. All times I’ve felt it, it’s been warmed up and driven for a bit. But I don’t really drive up any inclines in the mornings. If I’m in a lower gear and higher rpm I never feel it. Which makes me think it’s when the torque converter is locked. The fluid was changed 8 years and 40k ago by Toyota. Not sure if it’s been touched elsewhere since.

 

In for this. Yours a double cab? Mine does it right around 45 or 50 mph. I’ve had u-joints and carrier bearing both done. I was gonna look at torque converter next

 

Typically shudder is around 30 mph, under light throttle right before a shift. And the a750 is indeed known to exhibit this in the 4runners. Never seen a tundra do it. Try a trans drain and fill and sometimes it’ll fix the shudder for a while.


Also have the transmission fluid checked for coolant contamination, coolant contamination from the radiator can cause a shudder. Dealer should have the tool to see if there’s coolant in the trans fluid

 

Thank you I will have that done and see what happens. If there’s coolant in there Is the radiator/trans cooker a problem?

 

@empty_lord 05 has the sealed transmission too just like my 06 right

 

Yes. But still serviceable with fluid

 

I have a 2020 TRD PRO Tundra and have the same shutter at 33 mph & 43 mph. I also feel it during down shifting. I’ve added a Coach Builder diff drop bearing spacer and +3 shackles. It helps but don’t fix the issue. I seemed noticeably more after they installed my TRD cold air intake. Dealer removed software and reinstalled it after they drove it and felt the restriction I was feeling. After that they had me drive it for a couple of days and told me to keep a eye on it but it should fix the issue. NOPE ... it didn’t. I took it back to them the next week and told them to check transmission. Both the service advisor and tech both felt shutter and mentioned it was my upgraded tires 295/70/18 Nitto Rid graps. The transmission passed there test and the service advisor said that I’m going to have to live with it if I’m going to run these huge tires. I was told that they have a way to check the torque converter. Any thoughts support team?

 

Yup

 

Shudder in tundras is not common, but I’ve done 2. The cooler puck on (I think the 2020s still do have it) likes to leak seriously small amounts of coolant into the trans fluid (we’re talking Parts per million here) and eventually causes the torque converter shudder.

larger wheels and tires do affect how the transmission works though, and the lift may be causing driveline vibrations that many people confuse with shudder as well since they tend to happen at the same mph. Do you have a drop on the carrier bearing for the drive shaft?

 

Coolant in the trans? Time for a new radiator.

 

Yes I a have a Coach Builder drop kit installed plus +3 shackles. It helps but still have shutter.

 

Hmm. Honestly if that helped I’d look into getting drive line angles checked. Torque converter shudder won’t get better due to what you’ve done.

 

I guess I’ll have dealership check transmission fluid for coolant traces. Antifreeze coolant traces? Or transmission cooler coolant? Because I thought 2020 didn’t come with a towing transmission cooler?

 

Theres a puck that sits on the passenger side of the transmission near the bellhousing with coolant hoses going into it. Again, I haven’t paid attention to 2020s to notice if it’s still there, but it should be. The tow package trans cooler is what everyone talks about which use to be part of the a/c condenser on top of being cooled (and warmed in the winter) by engine coolant

 

At 45-50 mph when I give it throttle I can hear a wubwub type sound i think it's similar to what your hearing, only in od

 

Mine isn’t a sound. It’s a rapid vibration through the entire truck. If I let off the gas or it downshifts it stops. Next time it does it I’ll do the brake tap test

 

My transmission shudder went away when I replaced the trans fluid and filter. It had 220k miles when I bought it and didn't come with any maintenance history.

 

I’m hoping this will alleviate mine. I was fortunate enough to score an appt this afternoon at Toyota for transmission flush, and front and rear diff fluid change

 

Let us know if it works? My 2020 only has 5500 Miles on it. It started around 2500 miles

 

I’m an I wouldn’t be able to stand that. Mine had 170k on it lol. I leased a 2020 for about 7 months and decided to turn it in early and get something cheaper and older (was putting too many miles on it and was too afraid to damage it and actually use it). So I found this 05 for an acceptable deal. But most certainly don’t want to have to replace the transmission...

 

Well unfortunately the fluid change has only made it worse... what is going to fix this? New converter?

 

New reman’d transmission, new transmission, or rebuild transmission.

Old used still working transmission is the most cost effective, yet you take on risks.

 

Why can’t I get away with just the converter?

 

I don’t know.

 

That stinks.

I've heard good things about

$8 Lubegard 19610 Instant Shudder Fix

Shudder Fixx, but I've never tried it myself. It's only $6, so worth a shot.

 

Did the dealership actually perform a transmission flush or a proper service where the pan was removed, filter replaced and new transmission fluid added?

If a flush was performed, I’d suggest you read these articles http://www.agcoauto.com/content/news/p2_articleid/203 and http://www.agcoauto.com/content/news/p2_articleid/45 and the other articles under “You Might Also Like” and pay particular attention to his sections on transmission flushes. Particularly noteworthy in the article is his statement that torque converter shudders (if indeed that is what you are dealing with) are often worst after a transmission flush than before (as you described), compared to a proper transmission service, which often will correct the shudder. Also, he often states on his weekly radio program that is not uncommon for a minor engine running issue to be mistaken by a driver as a transmission issue, so don’t discount that your issue may not be transmission related at all.

I’m fortunate in that I’ve been a customer of this automotive service shop which is my home town for 25+ years, and the owner of the business, who I gotten to know well over the years, has written every article on that website. You can email him from his website with your original post (“contact us”) and it’s almost guaranteed he’ll respond to you within 24 hours with additional suggestions for you to consider as you try to resolve this issue.

 

My old 4runner had a bit of a shudder. Felt like driving over a rumble strip. It happened under light acceleration between 4th and 5th gears.

I am inclined to believe that it developed because it learned the way I drove...I typically kept it in S4 until I was doing 45-50mph. I almost never drove around town in D. The shudder would never happen if I kept it in S4.

But on the rare occasions that I would drive in D, the transmission would not quite want to go to 5th gear. Again, I usually prevented it from doing this around town under light acceleration.

I had it flushed and filled at a dealer and tried a tube of the Lubegard. Nothing changed it. I think it’s completely normal for the 5th gen 4runner trans. Common in the FJs, too. They’ll shudder their way to 300-400k miles, no problem. Just annoying.

 

I discovered agcauto a few years ago and have posted links here to his website. The guy has great philosophy regarding service and repair. I’d use him if he was close by. Fortunately/unfortunately, I’ve learned to do most of my repair due to crap stealers and local small shop hacks messing up my stuff.

I really like his section on W. Edwards Deming (Godfather of Toyoda). You are stoked to have a shop like his at your service.

 

Mines pretty rough but I would say it does compare to a rumble strip. As soon as it down shifts it goes away. I can probably work my way around it but I’m not sure. I just don’t know whether to be concerned with it if it’s something that could leave me stranded or?

 

10 quarts were refilled with no filter so I imagine just a flush. Also I believe these transmissions are “sealed” and not serviceable for a filter.