"Rumble Strip" Transmission issue
- Thread starter Ducman
- Start date
dwulffusa
New member
No shuddering in 10,000miles since the exchanged the oil (partly exchanged I guess).
clem18
New member
Same here... about 15k miles on mine. But mine was a transmission flush.
Ducman
New member
Nearly 20,000 miles have passed since I last had the issue. After it smoothed out the symptoms never came back.
sonerick
New member
Cool. In for a flush today, keeping my fingers crossed that it solves the issue.
The symptoms I have been experiencing are in line with what you described: shift into 4 and it goes away, let off the gas and it goes away, only occurs right before shifting 2-3 and 3-4, feels just like driving over a rumble strip, etc.
ww_crimson
New member
I'm going to be picking up a 4runner this weekend and this thread has me a bit worried.. It's a 2003 SR5 V6 4WD with only 18,000 miles on it. Should I be draining and refilling the fluid as a precautionary if there are no symptoms, or should I be leaving this lifetime fluid alone?
This thread is for the 5-speed tranny only. You have a 4 speed and it does not use WS fluid.
I have a 2005 v6 4x4 and It developed the "rumble strip" issue last week(108k miles). I was a little worried. After reading this thread I decided to take it to the dealer because it just seemed a little too intense to do myself. I had the dealer do the full blown exchange 12qts and cleaner and warantee blah blah blah. I paid a total of $270 with tax and everything. When I left the dealer I still had the issue. But, as someone pointed out, about 50 miles later it felt like someone stuck a stick of butter in my tranny. I haven't had the issue 24 hours now and I know how to make it happen and it won't do it. Worked for me, thank god for this forum because the dealership had no idea how to fix it.
Calimander
New member
Hi---I had the $270 transmission fluid swapout done at the dealership about 3 months ago for this issue. I initially thought that this fixed the problem but it soon returned. It isn't getting any worse yet so I'm just living with it. Gotta say that this 4-runner is becoming a disappointment.2005 V6 SR5 with only 115k and already replaced both head gaskets, front wheel bearings and now a faulty transmission.Also every couple of weeks it is blowing a O2 sensor and catalytic converter code. Can it get any worse?
rumble strip fix
I just bought my sone a 07 4Runner with 147,000 miles on it. we started experiencing the "rumble strip" issue at slow acceleration. took it in twice to the dealer and the fix(fingers crossed) was to replace the radiator and the trans fluid. apparently the radiator ws leaking coolant into the transmission and that was what was causing the vibration when shifting. they had seen three others with this issue and this fixed two of them and the othe was too far gone and they had to replace the transmission. new to the board but all theminfo here really helped my get mine fixed. Thanks
I just bought my sone a 07 4Runner with 147,000 miles on it. we started experiencing the "rumble strip" issue at slow acceleration. took it in twice to the dealer and the fix(fingers crossed) was to replace the radiator and the trans fluid. apparently the radiator ws leaking coolant into the transmission and that was what was causing the vibration when shifting. they had seen three others with this issue and this fixed two of them and the othe was too far gone and they had to replace the transmission. new to the board but all theminfo here really helped my get mine fixed. Thanks
Update: Had the Toyota Dealership drain, not flush, then fill with new fluid. I also had them add Lubeguard Shudder Fixx that I purchased from auto parts store. This additive was recommended to me by a mechanic who had good luck with it. I don't get this but the mechanic said the fluid level was 1 quart low. I know this tranny has never leaked so I'm wondering. Only been 2 days but it's still the same.
Rocket61
New member
Who does your oil changes?
When I had the rumble strip issue I took it in for a drain and fill and the tech said the fluid was a little low. Didn't say by how much, but low. I was stumped for a while trying to figure this out because I too didn't have any leaks and everything looked in shape.
When you go to these quick-stop lube shops for an oil change, they don't necessarily have experience/accountable techs under your rig. I remembered that every time I was in there, they would give me a test strip with a drop of fluid from the tran and dif. My theory is that a kid under there was trying to sample my trans fluid, accidentally drained a bit, and didn't tell me. This has to be the only way I could have possibly lost trans fluid. If you add up all the drips and spills from having your oil changed every 3-4 months, that's a lot of fluid. Now, every time I go in there, before they lay a hand on my rig, I tell them that I don't want any fluid samples and to only touch my oil plug.
Rumble Strip
Update. I consider mine fixed. After 5 days, It's the wife's car, I drove it last night and there was no shudder. There was always one area I drive that it would always shudder. Gone now. I would recommend adding the Shudder Fixx when you have the fluid changed.
Update. I consider mine fixed. After 5 days, It's the wife's car, I drove it last night and there was no shudder. There was always one area I drive that it would always shudder. Gone now. I would recommend adding the Shudder Fixx when you have the fluid changed.
My first inclination would tell me it's a resonant frequency issue at this narrow speed range and directly correlates to engine rpm, transmission rpm, torque converter lock-up RPM, and drive line RPM. I would check to ensure your motor and transmission mounts are in good shape. Years ago I owned a vehicle that shuddered really bad. Turns out, the rear transmission mount bracket w/ rubber bushing was shot.
On a side note and slightly off topic, I owned a GM vehicle 20+ years ago with the 700R4 transmission (3 speed w/ 4th speed overdrive & lock-up torque converter) and the lock-up on the torque converter would engage around 35-40 mph and it drove me nuts as the car would shudder due to such low engine RPM while in D. Fortunately, it was quite easy to fix as the torque converter lock-up was controlled by a solenoid operating a spool valve within the transmission. The wiring for solenoid was tied into the brake pedal. A gentle tap on the brake would disengage the lock-up. All I had to do was bypass the switch on the brake pedal and install a simple on/off switch. This allowed me to make full use all 4 speeds of the transmission while putting the car in D. Just a note, if I shifted the transmission to 3rd, the lock-up on the torque converter would never engage.
I'd assume the 4Runner has a similar set up except it is a 5 speed transmission.
On a side note and slightly off topic, I owned a GM vehicle 20+ years ago with the 700R4 transmission (3 speed w/ 4th speed overdrive & lock-up torque converter) and the lock-up on the torque converter would engage around 35-40 mph and it drove me nuts as the car would shudder due to such low engine RPM while in D. Fortunately, it was quite easy to fix as the torque converter lock-up was controlled by a solenoid operating a spool valve within the transmission. The wiring for solenoid was tied into the brake pedal. A gentle tap on the brake would disengage the lock-up. All I had to do was bypass the switch on the brake pedal and install a simple on/off switch. This allowed me to make full use all 4 speeds of the transmission while putting the car in D. Just a note, if I shifted the transmission to 3rd, the lock-up on the torque converter would never engage.
I'd assume the 4Runner has a similar set up except it is a 5 speed transmission.
Last edited:
First post here folks.. Lots of great information.
SYMPTONS:
rumble strip between 35-45.
only happens in D
only happens when slowly accelerating.
does not do it at all when in 4
If i accell fast it dosnt skip a beat and slides right into gear.
no rumble on decell
everything else is butter smooth.
I have an 05 v8 with right at 138k miles.
At 90k miles I installed a class 3 hitch and did a tranny flush with no issues until 133k miles. 4runner srated bucking hard when towing my boat and trailer
Took it to a transmission specialist here in the area and he rebuilt the tranny for 2890. came with a 1 year some odd mile warrenty. I asked for an itemized reciept at the time but he did not produce... no worries i have the warrenty cert in hand and I feel comfortable with his work. He took me into his shop and showed me the transmission and all parts that were bad and went above and beyond what I've experienced with other mechanics.
At 138k im experienceing the rumble strip issue for the first time and wondering if they did not put a Toyota WS equivalent in it. Before the rumble strip symptons everything shifted as if it were new..
One note: shortly before I had the tranny rebuilt I noticed a loud clunk when stoped and shifting from park to drive. After the rebuild it went away and now its back which leads me to believe that the TC is already passed its service life.
What ya guys think?
Thanks,
NUC
SYMPTONS:
rumble strip between 35-45.
only happens in D
only happens when slowly accelerating.
does not do it at all when in 4
If i accell fast it dosnt skip a beat and slides right into gear.
no rumble on decell
everything else is butter smooth.
I have an 05 v8 with right at 138k miles.
At 90k miles I installed a class 3 hitch and did a tranny flush with no issues until 133k miles. 4runner srated bucking hard when towing my boat and trailer
Took it to a transmission specialist here in the area and he rebuilt the tranny for 2890. came with a 1 year some odd mile warrenty. I asked for an itemized reciept at the time but he did not produce... no worries i have the warrenty cert in hand and I feel comfortable with his work. He took me into his shop and showed me the transmission and all parts that were bad and went above and beyond what I've experienced with other mechanics.
At 138k im experienceing the rumble strip issue for the first time and wondering if they did not put a Toyota WS equivalent in it. Before the rumble strip symptons everything shifted as if it were new..
One note: shortly before I had the tranny rebuilt I noticed a loud clunk when stoped and shifting from park to drive. After the rebuild it went away and now its back which leads me to believe that the TC is already passed its service life.
What ya guys think?
Thanks,
NUC
HokieRunner
New member
Welcome to the forum! If it were me I'd be back at the transmission shop to get their take on the issue. Could very well be the tc. I assume it's still under the 1 year warranty?
Thanks,
Yes it was rebuilt just over 1.5 months ago. I have put 4k+ miles on the rebuilt and have 10+ months to go until warranty expires.
Ill be dropping the car off at the shop this afternoon on the way home from work. Cant wait to see what they have to say. Hopefully the issue resolved in a timely fashion.
-NUC
Yes it was rebuilt just over 1.5 months ago. I have put 4k+ miles on the rebuilt and have 10+ months to go until warranty expires.
Ill be dropping the car off at the shop this afternoon on the way home from work. Cant wait to see what they have to say. Hopefully the issue resolved in a timely fashion.
-NUC
