'03 5R55E shuddering during 3-4 and 4-5 shift

[Matt715]

A few weeks ago, I bought a 2003 Supercab FX4 (4.0L 4x4 5 speed auto) with about 30,000 miles on it. I recently noticed that when it shifts from 3rd into 4th and 4th into 5th I get a bit of a shudder. I don't really feel it but it sounds like I just drove over a small pothole or a bump in the road. It mostly does it when it's cold and the first two or three times it shifts into those gears.

I don't get any RPM flares, it down shifts fine, and I don't notice any other anomalies driving it down the road. The fluid is full and clean.

Is this something I should be worried about or should I just ignore it and keep driving it?

 

[edge]

Ive looked into to it myself for pretty much the same reason. From
what i gather which isnt much. There are two gaskets for the valve
body which are asseciable from under once the fluid pan is down. That
can began to leak or blow . There is a video on you tube where someone
shows how to replace them. I didnt book mark it.

 

[edge]

Here's the video .. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilYmZpgfXa8
To be honest with you iam not even sure if its your problem just trying
to help.

 

[Matt715]

Here's the video .. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilYmZpgfXa8
To be honest with you iam not even sure if its your problem just trying
to help.

Thanks for the idea, Edge. The last few days I have spent a few hours looking for other people with this problem and pretty much have come up empty. I have run across a few people on various forums that recommend adding Lube Guard Shudder Fix or just the "Fluid Protectant" in the red bottle. Its pretty much just a friction modifier that helps with harsh torque converter lockups. I really don't like the idea of adding anything to such a low mileage transmission, but it might do the trick. I got a bottle of protectant today and will add it tomorrow after I am able to suck a little fluid from my tranny at work.

I plan on changing the fluid and filter soon but I thought I would give this a shot to see if it smooths out or if I have to take it to the dealer.

I will post back to let you know if it helped at all.

 

[shane96ranger]

Thanks for the idea, Edge. The last few days I have spent a few hours looking for other people with this problem and pretty much have come up empty. I have run across a few people on various forums that recommend adding Lube Guard Shudder Fix or just the "Fluid Protectant" in the red bottle. Its pretty much just a friction modifier that helps with harsh torque converter lockups. I really don't like the idea of adding anything to such a low mileage transmission, but it might do the trick. I got a bottle of protectant today and will add it tomorrow after I am able to suck a little fluid from my tranny at work.

I plan on changing the fluid and filter soon but I thought I would give this a shot to see if it smooths out or if I have to take it to the dealer.

I will post back to let you know if it helped at all.

IMHO, based on your description, Lube Guard won't do anything. I think it's a valve body issue.

 

[Matt715]

IMHO, based on your description, Lube Guard won't do anything. I think it's a valve body issue.

Like a bad gasket or something deeper?

 

[shane96ranger]

Like a bad gasket or something deeper?

With that low of miles, my guess is yes.

EDIT: Here's some pics I found at this link: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1319743

 

[Matt715]

With that low of miles, my guess is yes.

EDIT: Here's some pics I found at this link: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1319743

Thanks for the pics. It was my understanding that the bad gaskets were primarily a '02 and prior issue and the symptoms were flares during shifting. I haven't had a single flare the whole time I've owned the truck. I'm not arguing that this isn't the problem but I want to explore all the possibilities.

The last two days I haven't had a harsh shift but it has been warm with temps in the 70s. It will be interesting to see if it comes back as the temps go down.

I think I will hold off on putting the additive in the fluid for a while.

 

[pcollins]

Your about at the perfect mileage to try dropping the pan and replacing the filter and the few quarts that come out. Give it a shot for shits and giggles.

And remember, fluid gets check running in park.