Transmission shudder

[porschpow]

on a car that has 58k miles, I feel I shudder that gets more prominent as it get warmer (eng temp) at 32-33, 38-39, 42-44 mph.

I have come across mention of these threads, but I am kind of worried. The tranny oil, does have a pinkish color to it, and doesn't smell burnt

[sly]

if it's an AOD, it's an ignition problem most likely. If it's an AODE/4R7xW, it'll probably be the torque converter clutches giving out.

[porschpow]

Sorry, forgot to mention. It's a 97, so im guessing 4R7xW??

Anything I can do short of rebuilding the tranny?

[sly]

there's a bandaid that can help stretch it out if that is the problem and not an ignition issue... Dr. Tranny's Instant Shudder Fixx by Lubegard (yes, 2 X's).

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/lbg-19680?seid=srese1&gclid=CjwKEAiAy8ujBRCY6c-hveijhFASJAAcyGicByt4O_Y27H7QhYqAnR1dqwfQMBTIpHz4C6-6vKL--hoCrJHw_wcB

It's sold at some local parts stores too for about $10. Pour that in the trans dipstick tube and it should help unless the clutches are already wasted (or it's an ignition problem - plugs, wires).

Again, this is only a bandaid and you should be prepared to drive it until it dies and save up for a rebuild. Though with only 58K, I would think the bandaid would last for some time, though due to age, I would be suspecting plug wires as a possibility. You can test this at night with the hood light off by misting some water on the wires. With the car running, if the wires are giving you a light show (little sparks everywhere) then change them. If it's coil on plug, don't do that. If it's is coil on plug (don't remember what year they switch to that), with the car running, feel each coil pack for a tapping sensation. They should only be vibrating with the rest of the engine stuff and not have a tapping sensation. If any does, that's a bad plug allowing some blow-by. Replace the plug and inspect the boot for damage. If it's not coil on plug and does have wires, make sure they're all pushed down all the way and properly engaged to the plugs. I used to have a problem with my 93 and it's original engine where the wires would slide up ever so slightly and disengage from the plug. This would happen if I didn't get them completely in place the first time. I've also seen this issue on used cars that have had several people test drive them as they would go off, pull a plug or two to make it run rough, come back and try to get the dealer to drop the price.

[IPreferDIY]

porschpow, your other threads indicated AOD and a fluid leak issue. Was it really an AOD? Did you decide to drain the torque converter after all? If it was not AOD, did you use Mercon V? And have you been keeping an eye on the fluid level?

sly, if it's a non-AOD and it's a torque converter clutch problem, wouldn't replacing just the torque converter be an option? I imagine it would probably be almost as much a pain in the ass as removing the tranny entirely (assuming it doesn't actually require this), but at least you wouldn't have to bother with the guts of the tranny.

[porschpow]

Oh no this is a 1997 Lincoln Town Car

I have an 89 Lincoln town car, that I know has AOD, not familiar with the aeros

[LithiumCobalt]

On a 4r70w, 90% of the time the shudder can be eliminated by completely draining the transmission and using genuine Mercon V fluid, not the universal dexron/Mercon bullshit. Make sure to specify the torque converter gets drained. Plug wires can also make symptoms appear to be transmission related when they are not. The 4.6s like to chew up wires so make sure you have a newer quality set installed.

[porschpow]

I have to change out the manifold anyway, so I was going to clean the injectors, spark plugs, wires, coolant flush and hopefully change the tranny fluid (with Mercon V)

[porschpow]

forgot to mention that this happens under moderate throttle, when I tromp on it, the shudder goes away. I don't know if that has any value to it

[LithiumCobalt]

It's probably just old fluid. People tend to forget there are other fluids in cars than just engine oil, that is, until there's a problem, but even then, it's probably mistakenly not attributed to old shitty fluid. Why one would change the engine oil every 3-5k but expect all the other fluids to last indefinitely is beyond me. At least that's how it's been on about 95% of the cars I've purchased used. Not surprised when I get one with rusty coolant and/or black transmission and power steering fluid.

[gadget73]

yeah that sounds like the torque converter thing. Also, bad spark plugs in a 4.6 can seem like transmission problems. A misfire and a torque converter shudder are real similar in feel. Try lightly touching the brake pedal when it does this. If it immediately stops shaking, its torque converter. If it does not, its more likely spark plugs. Don't remember if a 97 has wires or not, but those also go bad.

[IPreferDIY]

Oh no this is a 1997 Lincoln Town Car

I have an 89 Lincoln town car, that I know has AOD, not familiar with the aeros

Time to update your signature?

I have to change out the manifold anyway, so I was going to clean the injectors, spark plugs, wires, coolant flush and hopefully change the tranny fluid (with Mercon V)

Maybe a J-MOD while you're at it?

[porschpow]

What's a J-mod?

I was going to use the 97 as a winter beater/daily driver and put my 89 Signature series in storage.

I pray it's nothing to do with the converter. I will change the intake, clean the injectors with 2+2, change with motorcraft plugs and wires, change tranny fluid (add that lubeguard people talk about), flush coolant, cross my fingers for the shudder to go away!

[IPreferDIY]

What's a J-mod? ...

If you've ever heard of a shift kit, it's the same idea, but you basically drill holes yourself. Here's a simple explanation:

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/4-6l-tech/63669-what-j-mod.html

And here's an "official" how-to video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbIAKfhrdV0

In your case, one approach would be to suck the fluid out of the pan to see what kind of shape it's in. If nothing indicates an urgency to pull the pan, then just drain the torque converter and put fresh fluid in. If that solves the problem, then you can plan on pulling the pan and changing the filter later. That would be the ideal time for a J-MOD. You waste ~$60 of fluid that way, but if the first fluid change solves the problem, you would have even fresher fluid in a better tranny in the end.

[sly]

if you change the fluid, you don't need the lubegard stuff... it's the friction modifier that's already in MercV. The modifier gets depleted when the service intervals aren't followed.