Is this a torque converter shudder

My truck has recently done multiple times what I think is a torque converter shudder at 40-45,it’s like a rumble strip feeling but only for about 1/2 second it’s kinda inconsistent. What should I do about it it’s not that bad but pretty annoying. Fluid is brand new.

 

might just be the super high overdrive 5th gear + heavier than stock tires. on backroads 38-45 mph in 5th gear 1000-1200 rpm (lol) mine lugs for a second too. i heard its common because the high gear and i have falken wildpeaks on my truck too. sometime ill run 4th gear selector if truck isnt warm just so it doesnt hope to 5th gear at 35 mph. i noticed this truck does 70mph under or at 2,000 rpm which is kind of nice though...still bad on gas haha

i wouldnt worry on that, is it only super low rpm and def in 5th gear??

 

This issue is petty recent started doing it a few weeks ago .do you think Lubeguard shudder fix would help?

 

I don’t think the shudder fix can hurt anything.

 

that is common, or do a drain and fill at dealer or indi mechanic and maybe it will help but i bet its a nothingburger. they say real trans shudder is more than a quick rumble it is a pretty violent shake

 

My 2016 automatic had issues at 112,000 miles. It seemed as if the truck was shifting into overdrive to save gas when coasting (1200-2000 rpm 35-40 mph). When I feathered the throttle to maintain speed it would shudder like a rumble strip until I let off the gas or accelerated more. Had the dealer do a transmission drain and fill along with the transmission TSB and problem went away immediately.

There's a brake tap test to check for TC lock up. This post describes the brake tap test: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...sion-shudder-any-advice.772383/#post-27588697
There's this post with almost too much info: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...econd-gen-4-liter-trucks.289913/#post-7301737

On a separate issue I had a vibration at 15-20 mph. Other speeds were fine. I noticed one of my tires was cupping so I rotated them, and the vibration was still there. When I put my winter wheels and tires on the vibration went away.
There's also threads about loose spark plugs from the factory that did not throw a code but caused a similar issue. A couple of other non-transmission thinks to check would be the carrier bearing or drive shaft universal joints.

 

I have drained and filled the transmission 5 times to clean out the dirty fluid and also changed the filter. Do you think I should try Lubeguard and see if it goes away don’t really think it will hurt anything.

 

do you have larger tires recently?

 

I do but they have been on there for a long time

 

I would give the Lubegaurd or Shudder Fix a try. When I was researching my issue there was a bunch of TW post that say it worked for them, but I had so many miles on mine I figured a fluid change would be prudent. I haven't noticed any post that say anything determinate about the additives.

 

I’ll probably give it a try and see if it goes away. The fluid is super clean so that’s probably not the issue.

 

Yes. Try LubeGuard.
If it’s only happening for about a half second. Then that’s not long enough to try the brake tap test.

The converter unlocks as soon as the brakes are touched. But we can’t try that test on your truck. Not enough time.

 

Driveshaft also has new u joints and carrier Bearing.

 

There was a thread with people talking about this and I think it was attributed to the vvti solenoids, not torque converter in their case but I could be mistaken.

Worth looking up tho and reading about

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-generation-transmission-shudder.808889/

 

Honestly doesn’t feel like then engine running rough,but could be if shudder fix doesn’t fix it .I will probably replace vvt solenoids in just did my valve cover gaskets and they look like an easy replacement if I’m not mistaken.

 

Is driving the truck in 4th gear an option?
If it doesn’t do it in 4th it’s the converter.
You can run the truck @ 3000 rpm for a long, long time.
It won’t hurt the engine. I do it quite often towing.
So running it in 4th to verify a problem should be no issue for you.

I see no reason to change the VVT solenoids unless you have a timing issue.
OEM solenoids are not cheap. And aftermarket solenoids are NOT an option.
You will create more problems with aftermarket, than it will fix.

 

I tried Lubeguard hasn’t done it since it is kinda inconsistent when it did it so I will continue to see what happens.

 

Following for any updates you might have. Glad to hear the Lubegard worked, as it has for many others. Unfortunately for me, I've thrown everything I could at my shudder problem and it won't go away.. Replaced VVT solenoids, new transmission fluid, and Lubegard anti-shudder. Still no improvement - the shudder persists.

When I keep it in 4th gear, the problem goes away, which apparently means it's the torque converter. BUT, when the shudder is happening and I tap the brakes, the shudder keeps going. So is it not the converter???

 

I haven’t had it do the shudder since I’m going to keep an eye on it. I was looking around under there and if my torque converter goes bad how do I get the bolts out to remove it can ,I access it through the starter hole.

 

Yes, you'll have to remove the starter to get at those bolts