Torque converter shudder ???

I have experienced this torque converter shudder when driving my 2007.
TSB: TC018-07 Revised


My questions:

How concerned should I be?

Will this problem get worse? (the truck has almost 300,000 miles).

Will the TC fail, or will it just keep trucking with the occasional shudder?

 

Getting any CELs? Figure you would have mentioned it if you were, but there is one for the TC. You might be good until you get a CEL, then know it’ll be on its way out.

 

No CEL... not yet.

 

I don't tow anything, but it was a farm truck for the first 270,000 miles before I purchased it.

Temps are fine, it shudders infrequently and only at lower speeds when I let off the throttle. Last drain and fill ATF service was about a month ago... it's had the shudder as long as I've owned it, but I though it was axle wrap or something else.

 

I can't think of a remanufactured TC that I could trust, who would you recommend?

The best price on a brand new OEM TC that I've found is just under $800

Rebuilt & Blueprinted: https://www.floridatorqueconverters.com/Toyota-Torque-Converter-89-102.html

 

$800 is for the TC only, installation is extra, but that can't be too much - right?

 

Until I get this sorted out and since the shudder only occurs randomly at lower speeds when I lift off the gas, I have decided to keep the selector in S-4 around town... I will shift into 5 & 6 only when traveling at sustained highway speeds. My MPGs will suffer, but that's better than a catastrophic failure.

 

You mentioned a drain and fill of ATF about a month ago. Did the shudder start after that service? Was WS ATF used?

 

No, it's been present ever since I purchased the truck 3 years ago - I just thought it was axle wrap, or a bad U-joint or something else. The drain and fill was performed by my local dealer using WS.

 

I'm having this issue and can't afford to fix it

 

I have ordered and installed this one, better pricing then OEM !

https://www.carid.com/2011-toyota-t...transmission-torque-converter-2303124444.html

 

Hard to install?

 

Well I don’t think so but I am a mechanic

 

How long have you been using it? How many miles? My 2007 has an issue with the internal clutch for the lock up feature. It'll shutter when it locks and unlocks. It's been this way for some time but it would be nice to fix. The 07 and 08 have an issue with this.

 

I had the same issue on my 07, TC shudder, added this which fixed the issue... eventually my TC went out and I pulled my trans and swapped in a new one, my trac, abs, check eng and 4lo lights came on if I believe. My truck had 235k when the tc went out and then I found out that its apparently an issue on the 07s

 

I guess I have been driving now for 15000km with this

 

I had TCS in my 08 CM 4x4. Long story short, put in used trans, new WS oil and had TCS when shifting from 6 to 5. Then in low gear s as well. Asked at trans shop, they said replace TC and new oil and labour came in at close to 2,000. Decided to have trans flushed at toyota due to pan retaining screws corroded (I was told drilled and extracted, tapped would be several hours) anyway didnt do the new screws. Got the truck back, same issue!! No change. I read that tcs was an annoying thing but doesn't harm trans. Kept driving it as I was in dilemma of pay more or put up with it. After 500 miles it suddenly went away!! Learned several things, at least in my case. Flush didn't hurt the trans, lots recmd drain only. Dont take someones word for it use your own judgement as you are the one paying!

 

I rarely drive the truck. It's rust free living in snow country so it rarely sees the road when the white stuff flies. It doesn't bother me but I did read where someone said the clutches are slipping and it could cause clutch residue in your transmission. If I replace it I'll do it myself (I have a lift and trans jack) so it's just a bunch of wrench turning. OEM is too expensive but a remanufactured one wouldn't be. I did drop the oil pan to replace the trans filter to see if there was lots of signs of clutch in the pan but it didn't look bad.