"Rumble strip" shudder at slower speeds

[2012sr5]

Found some threads on this in the 4th gen section...it sure sounds like what I'm experiencing. Between 20 and 35mph, if I'm accelerating lightly I get a shudder that doesn't last very long that feels almost like driving over a rumble strip. It seems to happen more in 4th or 5th gear.

I am inclined to believe that it's a transmission issue because I just had a transmission service done a week ago. I'm at 126k miles. I'm going to call the shop in the morning and let them know of the issue (they're already closed). I want to get it back in with them so they can double check their work.

Is this issue something that you'd expect if they didn't put enough fluid back in or if they used the wrong fluid? This was not a full flush or drain and fill...just a service.

 

[badattitude]

make sure they used WS ATF. The fluid level is checked by removing an overflow plug when the engine is warm. Did you get the work done a regular shop or Toyota? It is a bit complicated to drain and fill because their is not a dipstick.

Share what service you received? Was it not drain and fill?

 

[drewsro]

What is a transmission service? If they did not drain and fill, or flush, I'm not really sure what they did.

Also, was it having issues before you had it "serviced"? I don't see the need of doing anything other than changing out the fluids if there was not an issue beforehand.

 

[2012sr5]

It wasn’t a full flush...they didn’t drain and fill ALL the fluid; just a regular drain and fill (that is only a few quarts) from a highly regarded private transmission shop in town. The idea was to have them do it every 20k miles after 100k. First one I had done was at 105k, and the second one was a week ago at just under 126k.

No prior issues at all...this was for preventative maintenance. Noticed the shudder for the first time yesterday.

 

[Mudhorn]

I’ve experienced similar issues due to suspension issues, alignment, etc.
I wouldn’t be surprised if something got off slightly during the transmission work.

My Toyota mechanic said alignment is a common issue with the 5th Gen in my area due to the road conditions (not sure if he was trying to make me feel good or liability reasons).

 

[PK930]

Sounds like it wasn’t a complete flush that took all the old fluid out. There’s probably some build up left in the torque converter that didn’t get cleaned out. Go by an auto parts store and look for a little bottle called Dr Tranny. Instant fix.

 

[Jivewalker]

Sounds like gear hunting 4th-5th. mine has done this since new when cruising around 45mph with a light foot on the accelerator. Are you sure it wasn't doing before? Is it very pronounced or subtle?

Sounds like your on top of maintenance, but dirty engine oil or sludge build up on the OCV filter screens or the OCV will cause this engine to shudder as well. Are you sure it's the tranny?

 

[2012sr5]

I have experienced the dreaded highway wobble around 55mph that I could always fix with an alignment. This ain’t that.

Sounds like gear hunting 4th-5th. mine has done this since new when cruising around 45mph with a light foot on the accelerator. Are you sure it wasn't doing before? Is it very pronounced or subtle?

Sounds like your on top of maintenance, but dirty engine oil or sludge build up on the OCV filter screens or the OCV will cause this engine to shudder as well. Are you sure it's the tranny?

I’m inclined to believe that it’s the hunting issue. I can’t make it happen unless the drivetrain is working, and it seems to happen at low speed when the trans has already shifted a few times. I’m only at 400ish miles since my last oil change.

 

[Mudhorn]

Sounds like gear hunting 4th-5th. mine has done this since new when cruising around 45mph with a light foot on the accelerator. Are you sure it wasn't doing before? Is it very pronounced or subtle?

I had the same issue at 45mph. I took it to the dealer. They did an alignment and the problem was fixed, hasn’t done it since. I think the camber was off.

 

[Jivewalker]

I had the same issue at 45mph. I took it to the dealer. They did an alignment and the problem was fixed, hasn’t done it since. I think the camber was off.

Not an alignment issue for me, I've had 192,000 miles worth of alignments. For me, I'm 100% positive it is hunting between 4th and 5th and happens around 45mph with a light foot. A non issue, but hard to tune out once you become sensitive to it, like every other thing you notice when the stereo is off.

 

[Jivewalker]

I have experienced the dreaded highway wobble around 55mph that I could always fix with an alignment. This ain’t that.



I’m inclined to believe that it’s the hunting issue. I can’t make it happen unless the drivetrain is working, and it seems to happen at low speed when the trans has already shifted a few times. I’m only at 400ish miles since my last oil change.

I would still take it back to the transmission shop and let them drive it with the computer on it and replicate it. They should be able to tell you exactly what's going on. Otherwise, it will drive you nuts.

 

[2012sr5]

I would still take it back to the transmission shop and let them drive it with the computer on it and replicate it. They should be able to tell you exactly what's going on. Otherwise, it will drive you nuts.

It definitely seems to happen when it’s getting ready to shift.

I’m going to call them. I find it hard to believe this would just naturally start happening within a couple hundred miles of them servicing the transmission.

 

[progress4m]

It definitely seems to happen when it’s getting ready to shift.

I’m going to call them. I find it hard to believe this would just naturally start happening within a couple hundred miles of them servicing the transmission.

I would venture to say the shop either put the wrong fluid (not Toyota WS) or did not fill it to the proper level (more likely underfill), good luck and keep us posted.

 

[2012sr5]

I would venture to say the shop either put the wrong fluid (not Toyota WS) or did not fill it to the proper level (more likely underfill), good luck and keep us posted.

Just dropped it off. The shop owner went for a drive with me and said that’s definitely torque converter chatter. I hope it’s just a simple underfill.

 

[nb rob]

Good news that you could replicate with the shop owner.
I hope the fix is easy and quick and doesn’t cost you a dime.
Let us know how you make out

 

[2012sr5]

I would venture to say the shop either put the wrong fluid (not Toyota WS) or did not fill it to the proper level (more likely underfill), good luck and keep us posted.

He said he put global trans fluid in it. He said it's what they always use for Lexus and Toyota vehicles.

 

[progress4m]

He said he put global trans fluid in it. He said it's what they always use for Lexus and Toyota vehicles.

If by "global" shop meant Toyota WS “World Standard”, then I would recommend checking the level.

 

[2012sr5]

If by "global" shop meant Toyota WS “World Standard”, then I would recommend checking the level.

Man, I don't think it is Toyota OEM...I got a little more info out of him...he says they use it on everything with no problems--Toyota, Lexus, Mercedes, etc...sounds like a generic one-size-fits-all "global" synthetic trans fluid.

Now I don't trust the shop. I think I'm going to have it redone at a Toyota dealership.

 

[thennen]

Man, I don't think it is Toyota OEM...I got a little more info out of him...he says they use it on everything with no problems--Toyota, Lexus, Mercedes, etc...sounds like a generic one-size-fits-all "global" synthetic trans fluid.

Now I don't trust the shop. I think I'm going to have it redone at a Toyota dealership.

Wife’s 2012 Rav4 had same symptom. Torque converter was replaced under an extended 150,000 mile warranty for this specific problem. Likely no such warranty on 4Runner.

 

[blakjack23]

Interesting...I came on here today to research this same issue. I haven't had any work done at all, but lately on certain turns in my city I get that same shutter you mentioned, around 30-45 MPH. Goes away after the turn. I think I might get it some times just going straight, but mostly on turns. I'll probably try an alignment first to see if that helps.

2011 Limited with 139k.