'06 LX470 204K miles tranny shudder. Looking for advice as I continue to troubleshoot. Thanks! (1 Viewer)

[bshevs]

Hi Guys- Bought the car in the title from a dealer in Texas a couple months back. Once it arrived, I had my mechanic change out all of the fluids and put in a new battery. Since then, I've noticed a shudder at 30 mph and 40 mph. I don't think I felt it before I went in, but I can't prove that, as the shudder seems intermittent.

I took it back to my mechanic and it threw him for a loop. We were thinking the shudder could be coming from a rear axle but that wasn't it. He brought in his tranny guy and the guy said the tranny was the problem. Looked up some parts and he said it was going to be like $4K ball park to rebuild. Said the parts were expensive. That was a hit to nads, but then I thought, I can probably live w/ the shudder. If i drive it hard, I don't notice it as much. I bought the suv for $10K + $1K for shipping. The fluid change cost me about $650 bucks and I put two new rear tires on (thinking that would fix the shudder!) which cost maybe $250ish (some michelins from costco).

What would you do in my situation?

I'm going to make a trip to the dealer to have them asses (really just want them to clear codes)
I'm also going to try a new big nice battery.
I'm also going to get a third opinion somewhere after all that. FML.

Edit: I forgot to add that the trannys guys said something about a lack of pressure.

 

[trdcorolla]

These 5 speed's are finicky about fluid level, most places don't fill them properly. Search mud on how to properly check/adjust the fluid level. Pretty much when it's in the correct temperature check range, if you remove the fill plug you should get a very small amount of fluid coming out. If nothing comes out, it's underfilled, if fluid gushes out, it's overfilled.

 

[trdcorolla]

Oh, make sure the brake fluid level is correct, you can read up on that too here on Mud (it's also embossed on the brake fluid reservoir itself).

 

[bentonrover]

Did you use Toyota WS fluid? Funny thing my shudder like crazy after I bought mine. I did a drain and fill 3 times back to back and now the fluid looks good. No more shudder either.

 

[95Fantasma80]

If it was me I'd look for an LC specialist to diagnose and redo the transmission fluid change making sure using the right stuff, maybe even dealer if a land cruiser specialist unavailable with a dealer you got some warranty and hopefully a desire to make it right depending if you go to a good dealer...

 

[94SRUNNER]

I'm not sure where you are in Minnesota, but LCR4WD in Farmington MN is a great resource - LCR4WD - 612-695-1881

 

[white_lx]

These 5 speed's are finicky about fluid level, most places don't fill them properly.

... and the correct fluid type. Do you know what it was filled with?

 

[bshevs]

I'm not sure where you are in Minnesota, but LCR4WD in Farmington MN is a great resource - LCR4WD - 612-695-1881

thanks a lot! I'm ~45 mins away, down in rochester.

Edit: I gave him a buzz so I think I'll be hearing from him by early next week. Thank you so much @white_lx

 

[Vineyard45]

Hi Guys- Bought the car in the title from a dealer in Texas a couple months back. Once it arrived, I had my mechanic change out all of the fluids and put in a new battery. Since then, I've noticed a shudder at 30 mph and 40 mph. I don't think I felt it before I went in, but I can't prove that, as the shudder seems intermittent.

Ive been told it's the torque converter. Flush the tranny. Should solve the issue. Montereos are known to have the same issue. My wife's GX will do it, but haven't gotten around to fixing it. Manually shift into 4th and it will magically go away. I always wonder why it shifts into 5th at 35mph anyway....

 

[bshevs]

... and the correct fluid type. Do you know what it was filled with?

I’m not sure! If it’s something like fluid level, I’m going to be so happy. I contacted a specialist (big up ih8mud!) and will have him refill it for me I’m the next couple of weeks. I drove it again last night and I can hide the shudder. It’s really only there when I’m barely pressing the gas pedal, but it’s always on my mind. I have a little clunk upon launch once in awhile. We’ll see if the specialist can figure that out too. I’ve never loved a car more.

 

[gatormark91]

Almost guarantee it's the torque converter lockup clutch shuddering. Very common, caused by old fluid not cleaning deposits off the lockup clutch surface.. Full drain and refill (all the fluid, not just the pan), drive it for about a week, and it should go away. You can find write-up here in MUD as to how to do the drain and refill right. DO NOT let anyone talk you into a power flush.

 

[gatormark91]

Did you use Toyota WS fluid? Funny thing my shudder like crazy after I bought mine. I did a drain and fill 3 times back to back and now the fluid looks good. No more shudder either.

See my post above, that was the problem you had, and why it went away. New fluid has all the fresh shear additives and cleaners that were gone in your old worn-out fluid.

 

[bshevs]

Almost guarantee it's the torque converter lockup clutch shuddering. Very common, caused by old fluid not cleaning deposits off the lockup clutch surface.. Full drain and refill (all the fluid, not just the pan), drive it for about a week, and it should go away. You can find write-up here in MUD as to how to do the drain and refill right. DO NOT let anyone talk you into a power flush.

Thanks a lot! This forum is great because of members like you. I'm going to have this specialist give it a look see and pay him for a tranny flush. I'm also going to mention this thread and the ideas that came from it.

 

[gatormark91]

Thanks a lot! This forum is great because of members like you. I'm going to have this specialist give it a look see and pay him for a tranny flush. I'm also going to mention this thread and the ideas that came from it.

Not 'flush'. Here is the basic how-to:
1. Unhook trans cooler hose from radiator. This is the hose that goes FROM the trans to the cooler inlet in the radiator, not the one that exits the radiator. Point it into a drain bucket that has been marked with a 1-gallon mark.
2. While someone watches the bucket, turn on the vehicle, and let the trans pump out ONE gallon of fluid. It's not a high-pressure hose, it will flow but not gush. Turn off truck.
3. Fill trans with 4 quarts new fluid. Empty drain bucket. Repeat, adding 4 quarts each time you drain a gallon, until you have drained out a little less than 4 gallons (15-16 quarts). Hook the hose back to the cooler inlet on the radiator.

That is a full refresh of your transmission fluid. Check for proper level, button it up and drive for a week.

 

[2001LC]

Toyota has a TSB on this low speed shutter. They were replacing the trany's. Then found a vent kit helped. Seems a moisture issue. Many found flushing corrected, believing a moisture issue. Subsequently Toyota came out with another seemingly unrelated TSB, on temperature of fluid when setting the fluid level. They lower the temp to 97 to 115F. This means we now add more fluid than was set at factory.
T-SB-0129-08 July 9, 2008
Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Fluid Level Inspection
Temperature Ranges


I'd:
Flush 12 qts of Toyota WS through it and set level while temp at 97F.

 

[SlowBuild]

I’ve been putting up with this same issue for a couple months. This is a great reminder to me to get it done as I’m right upon 200k miles. Thank you!

 

[bshevs]

I’ve been putting up with this same issue for a couple months. This is a great reminder to me to get it done as I’m right upon 200k miles. Thank you!

I'm hoping and praying this will be my fix, too! I'd like to save face w/ my family members who told me I was crazy to buy the rig, lol. Actually, I don't care about that. I love her. Her name is Dolly, and she's from Texas. She also goes by the dolly lama.