I bought my Liberty several months ago and have not encountered any TC shudder at all until recently. While towing my 5000lb travel trailer I accelerated hard up a hill and there it was. I do not know the history of the torque converter in my jeep. Does the euro model ever shudder under extreme conditions or do I have the early signs of a failing torque converter.

Thanks

I think you've found a fairly normal case where this takes place - not necessarily indicative of a failure; e.g. a 'corner case' in an inherently weak design. This design weakness is in fact (in part, at least) the motive behind the infamous F37 reprogramming of the ECM.

Since you tow, an improved torque converter, and GDE's tune would clear the problem for you.

I've heard some discussion of a pump that can be improved as well but I think that the TC alone (SunCoast, for example) seems to give you sufficient torque handling where the shudder stops in the more extreme cases.

I'm sure there's plenty of guidance from the folks here who've actually exercised the various options on their own rigs. Mine remains stock thus far, though at 150k probably won't remain so 'forever'...

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2005 Liberty CRD
2004.5 Cummins 5.9L TD, F1s, NV5600 6-speed in a '93 GMC Suburban

Shudder can be induced on the stock 2n gen TC (e.g. post F-37 TC) by load. Heavy tow uphill will do it (cure back off throttle or disengage overdrive) or in my case install GDE Stage II turbo before upgrading TC and stomp go pedal (cure don't stomp go pedal and drive to Ft. Walton Beach, FL, to have SunCoast install their TC - thanks Ron).

I don't know all the details of the pump issue but there is apparently a weak seat that can either be addressed with the OEM upgraded pump assembly or the Transgo kit. SunCoast recommends the latter and puts it in as part of their install (thanks again Ron).

As to the shudder for those of you that have not felt it or wonder if they have felt it. Don't be taken in by a transient hard shift. The shudder feels like an Irish tap dancer is working on your tranny flywheel or somewhat similar to a botched clutch engagement on a manual transmission without the full vehicle bucking and jumping.

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Sold to LOST member my 05 Ltd, GDE Stg II turbo + TCM tune, SunCoast TC w. Transgo kit, Steiger window regulators, Samcos, Fumoto valve, 2nd gen filter head with Lub. Spec. bleeder, Hayden clutch & 11 blade fan, inverted spare, P-1 battery, BF Goodrich Long Trail TAs, Etecno1 glow plugs, timing belt at 50K miles/8 yrs