EDIT: SHUTTER GONE!!!!!! After Driving for 400-500 miles and the problem still occurring, though less, i took it back to see what they wanted to do next. After talking to Mike Brown of ATRA who wrote a book on this specific transmission he said to drive around in 4th gear for a couple of days when applicable speeds are ok. Did just that and not once did i have the shutter. This confirmed to him that it was a "Flex Lock-up" Problem. With the TC replaced he suggested a Ford made Friction Modifier and to let him know the results. If this wasnt a fix then the problem lied 100% in the valve body. A solenoid bore needing work. Lucky for me, the modifier cleared it up completely. The shutter occurred 2-3 times in the first 50 miles or so. After that i havent had it once. The shutter is finally out of my life. The transmission shop explained how factory parts are prepared before assembly and decided that even he will be adding this modifier to every rebuild he does when applicable to help while fluids are being absorbed into clutches and other parts. So thats it. Problem is gone and im finally at ease.
Here is a link to the Valve Body portion that Mike Brown wrote. http://www.gearsmagazine.com/resources/issues/e457d_2010_4_all.pdf
First off i want to say that ive read a lot of useful information about this infamous problem with this transmission on these forums so i appreciate all of it. I thought id do a short post about what ive recently had "fixed" that did not actually fix anything.
To start, ive had to common low RPM 30mph(ish) shudder for a little while. Started infrequently and fairly calm. In recent months it became a bit more aggressive. So, time to take it in. I first took it to my normal shop who i typically trust. I told them about what id read and we decided to start with what was cheap to see if it would do anything at all. A Drain and fill. Not the full flush. The problem persisted so i decided to take it to a reputable transmission specialty shop. First, they discovered that my so called trusted shop left 2 quarts out when i had them do the drain and fill. Theyll here about it. Second, they discovered a worn U-Joint so i got that fixed to eliminate it as a potential cause. It was not that cause. Next we rode around with a computer hooked up to make sure the TPS (throttle position sensor) was working in sync with the transmission while also watching pressures on a gauge during the shift and shuddering. There was, from what i was told as i couldnt see the gauge, a flutter in the pressure during shifts to 3rd and 4th gear when the shutter would occur. From that point it was determined that the problem was the SLT (lock up solenoid). The process had begun to remove the solenoid until the pan had been removed and clutch material was floating around and also stuck to the magnets in the pan. From here it was decided that a disassemble and inspect was in order. They found, which i did in fact see with my eyes, that the clutch packs had definitely had some overheating. one of the splinned shafts was also discolored from heat as well. They later found a second solenoid, the SLU (pressure control solenoid) and the converter has been jacked up. A rebuild it is. They replaces both solenoid with Toyota factory ones, had a brand new converter installed and complete rebuild kit (gaskets, seals, clutches, filters, fluid change, cooler flushed). After $2800 bucks i received my runner back. The problem still exists. It was ever so slightly less apparent and is less frequent. But still there. Theyd reset the computer and told me to return after 500 miles but nothing is yet changing at 300 miles. So, having said all that. What do guys thing? Did i screw up in getting a rebuild? Id inspected the "hard" parts myself and saw no visible wear on parts not replaced. Could my problem lie elsewhere outside of the tranny? I dont expect my problem to magically go away after 500 miles. Im hoping for someone to point me in the right direction.
Here is a link to the Valve Body portion that Mike Brown wrote. http://www.gearsmagazine.com/resources/issues/e457d_2010_4_all.pdf
First off i want to say that ive read a lot of useful information about this infamous problem with this transmission on these forums so i appreciate all of it. I thought id do a short post about what ive recently had "fixed" that did not actually fix anything.
To start, ive had to common low RPM 30mph(ish) shudder for a little while. Started infrequently and fairly calm. In recent months it became a bit more aggressive. So, time to take it in. I first took it to my normal shop who i typically trust. I told them about what id read and we decided to start with what was cheap to see if it would do anything at all. A Drain and fill. Not the full flush. The problem persisted so i decided to take it to a reputable transmission specialty shop. First, they discovered that my so called trusted shop left 2 quarts out when i had them do the drain and fill. Theyll here about it. Second, they discovered a worn U-Joint so i got that fixed to eliminate it as a potential cause. It was not that cause. Next we rode around with a computer hooked up to make sure the TPS (throttle position sensor) was working in sync with the transmission while also watching pressures on a gauge during the shift and shuddering. There was, from what i was told as i couldnt see the gauge, a flutter in the pressure during shifts to 3rd and 4th gear when the shutter would occur. From that point it was determined that the problem was the SLT (lock up solenoid). The process had begun to remove the solenoid until the pan had been removed and clutch material was floating around and also stuck to the magnets in the pan. From here it was decided that a disassemble and inspect was in order. They found, which i did in fact see with my eyes, that the clutch packs had definitely had some overheating. one of the splinned shafts was also discolored from heat as well. They later found a second solenoid, the SLU (pressure control solenoid) and the converter has been jacked up. A rebuild it is. They replaces both solenoid with Toyota factory ones, had a brand new converter installed and complete rebuild kit (gaskets, seals, clutches, filters, fluid change, cooler flushed). After $2800 bucks i received my runner back. The problem still exists. It was ever so slightly less apparent and is less frequent. But still there. Theyd reset the computer and told me to return after 500 miles but nothing is yet changing at 300 miles. So, having said all that. What do guys thing? Did i screw up in getting a rebuild? Id inspected the "hard" parts myself and saw no visible wear on parts not replaced. Could my problem lie elsewhere outside of the tranny? I dont expect my problem to magically go away after 500 miles. Im hoping for someone to point me in the right direction.
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