Low RPM shudder/vibration

After much forum searching, I have officially decided to take on the daunting task of asking Tacoma world to trouble shoot my Tacoma from the internet

My 2017 TRD Sport 4x4 with 140,000 miles has recently picked up an extremely noticeable shutter at speeds of less than 30 mph or so at the 1200-1500 RPM range. I originally started to notice what felt like a slight hiccup in the transmission when slightly accelerating at the above RPM range. It gradually got worse until it become a very hard “shutter”. I originally thought instantly it was a drive line vibration but at this point I’m clue less.

I started with carrier bearing and u joints. Replaced all the u joints and carrier bearing which didn’t change my issue at all.

I then thought maybe it could be a misfire but the truck hasn’t thrown a single code. I went ahead and replaced spark plugs with oem plugs thinking maybe I had a weak spark that was showing itself at low rpm, and that was possible why it didn’t throw a code. Again no luck, didn’t fix anything.

I cleaned the MAF sensor. No difference.

I took the truck to a transmission shop, they did samples of the tranny fluid and checked servicing. No issues. The transmission shop noted it felt like a front end issue.

I crawled underneath the front end and noticed a huge amount of play where the driver side cv axle runs into the diff. I replaced the needle bearing with a ECGS bearing, which removed this play and surprise. Didn’t resolve the issue.

I thought maybe it could be a tire balance issue, swapped tires with my dads Tacoma and the shutter is still present.

I then inspected the drive shaft, no weights are missing.

Motor mounts have been inspected as well and have no issues.

at this point I’m clueless.. the truck is lifted with a 3 inch spacer and 2.5 inch AAL that have been installed sense 40,000 miles

Hoping that somebody on here has possibly had a similar issue and could have some pointers on what to attempt or try next? Just seems like a worn component to me instead of a balance issue because it gradually got worse. I would think a thrown weight or something would begin instantly.
Any pointers?

 

Does it vibrate on acceleration and stop when throttle is released?

 

Does the idle fluctuate or is it steady?

 

so it’s only doing it in the mentioned rpm range. But to answer the question yes, I release the throttle and rpm drops. Vibe goes away. Or it I give it enough throttle to drop a gear and bring rpm up it goes away as well.

idle is steady, no flux! I did try to leave the truck in park and bring my rpm up to that 1200-1500 rpm range and see if I get anything. The engine sounded absolutely solid, did not sound like it had a misfire or anything. I did see a very slight rpm flux in that range. Slight as in basically probably 50 rpm.

 

Perhaps it is an issue with the Tranny Torque Converter Lock/Unlock (?)

 

This was my original thought. The transmission shop I used is one that I’ve used for years and has always been pretty reputable, plus the owner is a Toyota guy Not to say they couldn’t have missed something, but they have always been very good.

worst case, if I can’t find anything maybe I’ll use another shop and have the tranny flushed and re-serviced or something

 

So, when is last time the engine got a tune-up?

 

plugs and MAF during this whole process and filter less then 10,000 miles ago But that’s the extent of the tune up the truck has had

 

I’d buy new ignition coils. MSD or Standard Ignition Blue Streak might change it’s attitude

 

At this point I’m willing to give anything a shot, this is going to be my next shot I believe and I’ll get back after it’s done.

 

I can hardly wait. Good luck!

 

OP, do a search here on torque converter lockup shudder and it may have some helpful info.

My truck has a low RPM/light throttle miss on 87, 89 or 93 fixes it. It is bad enough that it feels like a driveline vibe. I always recommend trying a tank of higher octane gas to see if it changes anything.

 

Well it’s a good thing that I need gas, I’ll give this a shot when I get off work! Hopefully it’s something simple like this.

 

Get it to somebody that can snapshot the torque convertor

 

The truck is supposed to run on 87 and most do so fine. Some of us own trucks that don't though. For $5 it is easy to check and move on though.

 

I would not flush your Tranny with that many miles, as that would probably cause more problems (lots of info around here regarding that - just search for 'transmission flush').

What is the Service History on your Tranny ? With that many miles, it has hopefully been serviced a few times in the past.
At any rate, now would probably be a good time for a Drain/Pan Drop/Filter Change to see if that makes an improvement. And with that many miles, it would be a good idea to add a Quart of Lubegard along with the new Tranny Fluid.
Lubegard:

$21 Lubegard 63016 Platinum Universal ATF Protectant, 15 oz.

https://www.amazon.com/Lubegard-63010-Platinum-Universal-Protectant/dp/B006NIB6U6?crid=1O2U9LHN7GIXB&keywords=lubegard+platinum+for+transmission&qid=1644291072&sprefix=lubeguard+pla%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1&th=1
Lubegard Info: https://www.tacomaworld.com/search/16551492/?q=Lubegard&t=post&o=date&c[node]=186&c[user][0]=90305

All of this work can be done fairly easily yourself, if you are so inclined; and all of the info for doing it is readily available here on TW, along with lots of helpful Folks to assist with any questions.
And even if you are going to have a Transmission Shop do the work, it would still be a good idea to arm yourself with as much information/knowledge as possible before hand.

At any rate, 'Happy Trails', and let us know what you find out.

 

Do you know which gear are you in and the engine load? At this speed you could be in 5th. The shudder is worse in 5th. The throttle limits, etc. prevent you from the downshift or increase torque when tc is fully locked.
If in 5th, bump the shifter to S to force the downshift and get out of the shudder.
Definitely change the fluid.
Tunes help with overcome the shudder in low rpms/high loads.

 

Alright guys, here’s an update.

yesterday morning before work I unhooked my battery and let the truck sit for 8 hours. I’ve always heard that would reset the computer. I’m not sure if that’s true or not. BUT I didn’t notice any shutter on the quick drive to the gas station.. put a fresh tank of gas in the truck and took it for a 30 mile around town cruise. And to my surprise the shutter seems gone? I tried to make it do it and only one time was able to very slightly make it do it.. so slightly idk if I would have noticed it had I not been looking for it.

I’m not sure if maybe the computer “reset” idea actually worked, or if maybe I just got some bad gas?? none the less it seems good now? I’ll surely keep y’all posted if this sticks true!

All that said, I haven’t noticed it on my drive to work this morning which is a huge plus in my books! Still think I’m going to go the route of doing a pan drop and filter change! If anything, this whole scenario taught me one thing, Tacoma transmission isn’t a sealed system that can’t be serviced.. hopefully my negligence hasn’t shortened my transmissions life span too much. You live and learn!

 

Weird, my truck has no such thing. All I run is their grade 87 that's E10. Running 89 octane makes no difference from everything I could tell. It's 92 or higher that sucks. All our grades are E10 blended. I'm thinking we have better quality fuels here. Last time I was in the midwest the same grade fuel sucked.