Transmissions

[nor-cal yote]

Jim I went on one of the ford forums, and the shudder that i feel sounds like everything they are talking about, between 35 and 55mph there is a shudder. The forum i went to said to replace flush out all the fluid and use Mercon V and the shudder will go away. What do you think??

[FinsnFur]

Thats a tough one. I'm not 100% sure what the difference is between Mercon® and Mercon V, but I find it awful hard to believe that it could be the cause or cure of a drivetrain "shudder".

Does it do this shutter, while coasting or during deceleration , or while under power and during acceleration?

[nor-cal yote]

During acceleration, its when the trans is shifting into overdrive only, not downshifting, the shop said the torque converter showed up on the scan as being the problem.

[Bills Custom Calls]

This is what I almost know about Mercon V

It is more of a synthetic oil and Has no foaming will keep the seals from drying and cracking,protects against wear and aids in smoother shifting

No I am not a salesperson for Mercon

[HaMeR]

It almost sounds like too high of a gear for the RPM's & you're lugging the motor.  In my 01 Chevy when I'm driving backroads around 45mph I can feel the same type of shake when I hit grade elevations. I have the button in the end of the gear shifter that pulls the tranny down 1 gear & keeps it down for towing or hauling. I will pull it down that one gear & leave it there til I get off those types of roads then let it go back into OD.  The other thing I've noticed is that when the fluid level is not within 1/8" or so of the high mark it will do this too. Must be a sensitive speed/shift sensor if there is such a thing. 

I'm definitely not a mechanic.    I'm just relaying my experience with my truck is all.  HTH

[nor-cal yote]

   I called a different shop in town hes going to take a look at it on thur. the truck sat for three years, was started about every 3 months but never driven, the owner said once he parked it it sat in the same place until I test drove it. The other trans. shop said the price I was quoted sounded unreasonably high. The second shop said they flush it and then run it through their test. for about $120

[weedwalker]

the truck sat for three years, was started about every 3 months but never driven

I'm not sure about Fords, but on GM transmissions, the fluid pump dosen't pump while it's in park. Only while in gear or neutral. So if he never put it in gear those times that he started it,  it may not have circulated any fluid for those 3 years.

[FinsnFur]

Yep, your right Bill. Now that ya mention it, I read somewhere too that it was a synthetic "wetter" lube.

If it only does this when going into OD, Nor-cal... that pretty much sums it up. You did mean the process of shifting into OD, right?
Does it stop once your in OD? If Not...it sounds like were switching to a speed related issue and I'd would be looking at every U-joint on that vehicle.

[FinsnFur]

I'm not sure about Fords, but on GM transmissions, the fluid pump dosen't pump while it's in park. Only while in gear or neutral. So if he never put it in gear those times that he started it,  it may not have circulated any fluid for those 3 years.

Are you sure that's not just older models or something, Weed? I've never heard that and I do know for a fact late model Ford trannys pump while in park.

Nor-cal...you dont happen to have large tire on this truck do you? Large tires love to egg when they set for that long.

[nor-cal yote]

no, stock tires 235/85-r16lt  if I push the od lock out on the dash then get it up to 55 and turn off the od lock out it shifts fine first auto trans i have ever owned

[FinsnFur]

Ok, all that info combined pretty much sums it up in my opinion.
But I still wouldnt be paying $700 bucks for a converter.

[nor-cal yote]

Thanks for all the info guys I dont know much about auto transmisions, and dont want to spend my elk trip money on this. Nov 3, five weeks in Montana, with family and friends, and hunting.

[nor-cal yote]

Had the tranny flushed yesterday, not shifting hard anymore, and the stutter going into OD is gone also only cost $200

[pitw]

Too cool.

[FinsnFur]

Good deal, glad to hear ya got that taken care of.

$200 bucks though?
I need a new job.
I changed my motor oil along with mine, bought a new pair of snap ring pliers, and a blow gun, and the whole bill was $88.34, the receipt's still laying here.

[nor-cal yote]

Next I have a problem, drive out here and Ill pay you what I pay them  bring your calls

[FinsnFur]

Now were talking