Transmission Suggestions

It was $1000 for diff, trans, power steering, coolant, and engine oil flush. $200 each.

 

I gave the dealership a call again and they said it was a torque converter issue but they recommend I replace the whole transmission since it has 250K miles. Can someone speak to this? 250K doesnt seem like a lot to me but Im not really experienced in any of this.

 

I’d chalk the $140 up to a loss and not go back to that dealer. If your trans is shifting fine my guess is that worst case scenario your torque converter has started to fail (not common but does occasionally happen) but also NOT a reason to change your trans! Any decent transmission shop should be able to get that job done for a fraction of what you’ve been quoted- and better yet, they should be able to tell you if you’re barking up the wrong tree to begin with. I’ve got 200k on mine and it’s on the factory fluid still... maybe not smart, but it still looks good and shifts fine.

 

If I have to get a new torque converter, should I wait to do the transmission flush? I've already got 140 bones in the game so I might as well go ahead and use that towards a trans flush or diff flush or something so im not throwing away the money.

 

This is exactly what mine was doing. Was always worse once the truck was warmed up. I was convinced it was my carrier bearing too, but I did a full flush and added a tube of shudder fix, completely eliminated it. Truck feels new and shifts are smooth. I'm at 230K miles.

 

What exactly does the shudder fix do? Im weary of such a cheap fix. It reminds me of the slime that people put in their tires after getting a flat that ultimately ends up doing more harm than good.

 

It's a well documented problem in the Tacoma/4Runner world. That stuff is a friction modifier and has been used by tons of people (including me) to cure the lockup shudder. Go buy some and dump it in. It just may fix your problem for $7.

Better yet, first reproduce the problem with a drive. When it happens shift out of OD and see if it goes away.

 

Drop the transmission pan , inspect for contamination on the magnets and the filter .
If the bottom of the pan is clean , flush your transmission and add 1 -10 ounce bottle of lubeguard Platinum .

$15 Lubegard 63010 Platinum Automatic Transmission Fluid Protectant, 10 oz.

https://www.amazon.com/Lubegard-630...d=1605031151&sprefix=lubeguard,aps,187&sr=8-1
Dont waste a dollar at the dealership .
Drive the truck for 3 days and report back .

This is a proven fix for torque converters that shudder , however , you must address the issue quickly . The longer you allow the converter clutch to shudder , you are doing damage to the mating surfaces of the converter clutch .
Your transmission fluid is old and the re-agents in the old fluid have depleted .
Adding new transmission fluid along with a 10 ounce bottle of lubeguard platinum restores the friction modifiers in the fluid . The new friction modifiers remove the glazing off the converter clutch dampner .

 

A brake tap test will confirm the issue . The instructions for a brake tap test are outlined in the link which was in the 4th post

 

The dealership called and said that they want $2500 for just the torque converter replacement and $6500 for the torque converter and trans rebuild. I asked them to just do a trans flush and they said they didn't think the shop foreman would let them because the trans is "such high mileage" at 250K. They are afraid a power flush of the system is going to damage the trans. I told them they can at least drain and refill the trans and then I am going to attempt the shudder fix. Is the shutter fix a short term thing or will I still need to get the torque converter replaced? If the shutter fix works even for a little while I can drive it back to Oklahoma (my home state) and go to a transmission shop that I trust there.

 

if your a gambling man.....sure. do that.

be prepared for a major breakdown on the way. its a lot of miles to Oklahoma from Maryland.

Frankly, I think that dealer is fleecing the customer. Suggest to seek a 2nd quote/repair from someone who specializes in transmissions.

 

I highly suggest staying away from the stealership .
Any chance you have a local trans shop ? There is nothing wrong with" flushing " providing the bottom of the pan is removed first . If someone tells you they have a " Power flush " service , leave and dont look back
99% of the time , changing all your fluid and adding lubeguard is a permanent fix for converter shudder providing you monitor your transmission temps and fluid changes are performed in a timely fashion . In 30k , you will need another service and another bottle of Platinum

 

stop worrying about the $140 from the dealer ship and bring the truck to a transmission shop.

 

^^^^ the overwhelming guidance here is to forget the $140 and seek additional help. this thread has been pointed to a few times and the author @gearcruncher is a few threads up giving you the next steps: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...th-pics-for-second-gen-4-liter-trucks.289913/

your $140 is going to turn into +$1k if you stick to your dealership. I'd either read the threads and drop the pan and re-fill with the lubeguard --- take some pics of the debris at the bottom and you'll get more feedback. Or find a transmission shop nearby and at least talk to them before you do more with the dealer.

 

I think you're right. The dealership has stated that they wont honor their $140 towards a transmission flush. My plan was to have them do the flush and then use the lubeguard. I don't plan on having them do any further work on the truck at all.

 

Just a heads up . Order your lubeguard and a pan gasket now .

$10 FEL-PRO TOS 18685 Automatic Transmission Gasket

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C2CMR...wVehicle=1&vehicleId=1&vehicleType=automotive
Dropping the transmission pan only gets 3 quarts of old fluid out . Your A750E transmission holds about 11 quarts.
Changing out 3 quarts of old fluid wont be enough to fix the shudder . You need to replenish the old fluid completely . Even changing out all the old fluid sometimes doesnt fix the shudder . You need to add Lubeguard at the same time in order for this to work .Order the lubeguard now or find a shop who carries it . Why do I know this ? Because I have helped well over a thousand members at Tacoma world when they had shudder issues with their converters .

 

So when do I use the shutter fix vs the platinum protectant stuff? Do I use the shutter fix first and then the platinum on the fluid changes after that?

 

They saw you coming from a mile away.

Have trust in gearcruncher and others on this site. They know their shit.

 

I have never used the instant shudder fix at my transmission shop, only the Platinum , but members here have used it with great success . Throw them both in during your fluid change . Its not going to hurt your transmission, its going to seriously help it .

 

Oh for sure. They said $2500 for just the torque converter replacement and I did a quick google search and found that a new torque converter would run me around $250 (on the high end). When I brought this up the tech laughed and said "Yeah for a cheap one. Ours are OEM and cost $1200 but come with a warranty". I definitely trust people here over the dealer (you people have nothing to gain from me spending money). I just like to learn and understand the why behind the what before I get too into the weeds. For instance I don't feel comfortable dropping the transmission pan (I am on street parking only which isn't great). The only way to learn is to ask right!?