Transmission shudder at 40mph

Hello all! this is a question that my father had but he does not have a computer... at 40mph going up a slight hill it'll feel like you're driving over rumble strips for a second. I've seen various fixes and how its normal on Tacoma's. My first step to diagnosing this issue was going to be doing transmission fluid, problem is I can't get the fill plug off! any tips on how to get it out? truck has 87,700 miles seven if it doesn't fix the problem it is still good to do.

 

Perform a brake tap test to see if the shake goes away when you tap the brake pedal . Follow the instructions very carefully
Read the link before you service the transmission . After you perform a brake tap test , post the results
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...th-pics-for-second-gen-4-liter-trucks.289913/

 

its too quick to be able to do that method, its not a constant shudder, very quick like half a second

 

Alright , then there is a very good chance it is an actual torque converter clutch apply shudder .
The trans fluid was scheduled for replacement at 60K so dropping the transmission pan for a contamination inspection would be the next logical step considering you are past due .
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...e-2nd-gen-transmission-pan-and-filter.726329/

Hit up Amazon for a 10 ounce bottle of Lubeguard Platinum to assist in deglazing the converter clutch dampner .

Hit up the dealership for a fresh pan gasket and filter .

Your choice on trans fluid as long as its WS compatible . After you have finished a contamination inspection , you can determine if its safe to flush the remaining fluid out of the torque converter and transmission cooling system . Sometimes when you drop the trans pan and find a bunch of metal , its better to put the pan back on and top off the fluid rather than trying to flush the fluid thats still trapped in the torque converter and cooling system

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...th-pics-for-second-gen-4-liter-trucks.289913/

 

My plan is too put some lube guard in there since I bought some, if it works or helps I’ll do the rest of the transmission. my problem is I can’t get the fill plug out, I just noticed while driving to the parts store that i had it in 4 not overdrive and it still did it, not as bad but it did do it twice, that makes me think on engine side of things, if it helps it started doing this after it got a A/C condenser bearing and rear diff fluid done.

 

You cant just throw a bottle of lubeguard at the old fluid and expect the problem to go away . Many have tried this
Lubeguard is the best stuff on the planet for converter shudders but it needs the friction modifiers in your factory fluid to be replaced in order for a successful repair .

The factory fluid is old . The reagents in the factory fluid have depleted .
The way to fix this is a transmission pan drop for a contamination inspection . Clean the filter and magnets and determine if the remaining fluid in the torque converter and cooling system can be replaced .


Are you using a 24 mm socket ?

 

If you are second guessing that it may not be a converter shudder issue , try reproducing the issue in your driveway without moving the truck .

As you are driving down the road and begin to notice the shudder , write the engine rpm down on a piece of paper when you feel the shudder .
When the truck is warmed up , put the transmission in forward and hold the brakes hard with your left foot . Using your right foot , slowly bring the engine revs up to where you felt the truck shudder when you were driving down the road and the shudder occurred .If you feel the engine stumble at the same rpm as you felt when you were driving down the road , you have a miss fire . This is called as stall test . A stall test rules out the torque converter clutch . The torque converter clutch does not come on in first gear
Allow the transmission to cool after you finish

 

I do know sometimes it idles rough and does the bucking in reverse, if I determine it can be solved by fluid I would want to bring it to my local shop if I need to drop the pan, should I just ask them to change the fluid, drop the pan and determine if it needs to be flushed. The one reason I don’t think it’s a misfire is because it’s never thrown a code.

 

One of my buddies has the same truck but a 2017 his started a week after he bought it and was told by the dealer “normal for these trucks” could that also be the case? As I was told by my father if you punch the gas and blow through that 40mph point it doesn’t do a thing. I have brought this truck to the dealer and they said “don’t baby it” I put sea foam through it and it helped but then I tried fuel injector cleaner and it made it worse.

 

If your beast is bucking in reverse , my first guess is a ruff running engine .
The torque converter does not come on until the transmission is warm . If you got bucking when the truck is cold , chances are you need to look at primary and secondary ignition
The denso spark plugs needed to be replaced at 40K . How long has it been since you changed them out ?
I wouldnt count on the computer in the truck to catch all the glitches . Miss fires hardly ever set a code as they are very intermittent .

 

The 2017 Tacoma has the AC60 series 6 speed automatic with its own mess of problems and fixes .
Your username is showing a 2013 . Thats the 5 speed auto A750E series transmission providing you have the 4 liter engine

Yes sir . My first steps now would be a good tune up .
Do you know anyone with a quality lab scope ? or a quality scanner ?

 

ah ha! it is doing it when the truck is cold, I don't know anyone with a scanner, no idea when the plugs were replaced but i should do them. still a good idea to do the transmission fluid since it hasn't been done, how can I test the entire ignition system?

 

Resolved the issue, finally threw a #2 cylinder misfire, cracked spark plug