Can someone describe the CRD Torque converter shudder?

jdm25 · **Joined:** Fri Jan 29, 2010 12:17 am **Posts:** 22

I am the proud new owner of a 2005 Liberty CRD. I have transfered the remainder of the Drivetrain warrenty.

I have noticed that when the vehicle has warmed up that I get a shudder when accelerating from a full or rolling stop. I have also noticed the same thing sometimes when down shifting at Hwy speeds.

It is very subtle, but you can feel it.

Is this the dreaded CRD Torque converter shudder? If so what tips can one give to help convince them to replace it under warrenty?

flman · **Posted:** Thu Feb 04, 2010 8:11 am

Sounds like an small impact wrench, sounds like a big one with the Hot Tune.

jdm25 · **Joined:** Fri Jan 29, 2010 12:17 am **Posts:** 22

I don't really hear anything. What I feel is something that I can best equate to the feel of tires slipping/skipping slightly under acceleration (but my tires are not slipping). It stops after a second or 2 or when I let off the accelerator. I have also noticed it occasionally when the Jepp down shifts for passing on the interstate.

It is definatly reproducable, but it is subtle. I want to make sure I know what I am talking ablut when I go into the dealership and demand a TC replacement.

Any feed back is greatly appreciated.

2005 Jeep Liberty CRD
Stock, but just ordered my GDE ECO Tune.
and debating on a Magnaflow Cat Back.

jdm25 · **Joined:** Fri Jan 29, 2010 12:17 am **Posts:** 22

Any advice out there? I really want to get this taken care of before I flash My ECU to the ECO tune and I want to be able to hold my own against the Dealer when I take it in.

Please help make me smart!

GreenDieselEngineering · **Joined:** Sun Jun 07, 2009 5:10 pm **Posts:** 1111

You may just have the early signs of shudder. Are you able to feel a fast repeating vibration in the steering wheel, seat, or on the dash? The noise will grow more pronounced over time as the clutch wears and springs relax. The issue should only be possible when the trans is "locked-up", the engine rpm between 1650-2100, and a heavy pedal (just before reaching the downshift point ~65% pedal travel). Try it in 3rd with O/D off if 5th gear is not very repeatable.

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Sat Feb 06, 2010 2:03 pm

You know those "rumble strips" that they cut into the side of the Interstate so that if you run off the road it'll wake you up? Well to me that's what the shudder is like. Its like hitting the rumble strips at full speed. Feels and sounds just like that. I want a new torque converter real bad...but the labor is holding me up.

jdm25 · **Joined:** Fri Jan 29, 2010 12:17 am **Posts:** 22

Thanks all!!! Finally felt it when towing my camper. I was also able to reproduce it later without the camper.... Dealer replacement here I come.

2mopar_diesels · **Posted:** Wed Mar 17, 2010 9:01 am

jdm25 wrote:

Thanks all!!! Finally felt it when towing my camper. I was also able to reproduce it later without the camper.... Dealer replacement here I come.

I'm in the same boat. Last time I took it in though (for an unrelated problem but asked them to check it out), the tech said he couldn't feel anything. That I can understand, cause I drive mine everyday and am hyper aware of the slightest change in vibes/noise/etc. I got just 3months/8,000mi left on my remaining warranty. Be sure to keep us informed and check out this thread about the Euro spec converter that is covered under warranty: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=51049

BVCRD · **Posted:** Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:06 pm

One of the signs a tech will look for (listen) is a rattling from the TC area when it is stopped.

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Wed Mar 17, 2010 3:03 pm

Stick Chrysler for what ever you can, but a lot of us did not get the Warranty you got.
When I was at the Suncoast facility last week, Ron showed me a replacement valve fix you put into the front pump when you swap out the converter. The ball in the problem valve wears away the soft seat and and causes problems including shudder. Their new, drop in sleeve with a new valve and spring fixes it. When I scratch up the cash, I will be ordering the new Suncoast with the front pump fix and the Transgo shift kit. This sweetens the deal by the ~$300 the new front pump costs and makes the price of a Quality Suncoast Converter look more reasonable. Suncoast has also cracked the Chrysler TCMs on Dodge trucks so the transmissions shift like a diesel should.
Hopefully more good news to come for our F37ed CRDs.

X2 on the impact wrench analogy.

I will be selling my Israeli FN-FAL to raise the cash on Gunbroker, PM if any one is interested.

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Wed Mar 17, 2010 7:48 pm

So with the Suncoast plus the front pump fix...how much $$$ are we talking?

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Wed Mar 17, 2010 8:20 pm

LibertyCRD wrote:

So with the Suncoast plus the front pump fix...how much $$$ are we talking?

Use the Suncoast website to confirm, but $695 for the Torque Converter that I understand comes with the pump fix, plus $68 for the Transgo shift kit. Shipping is extra and there is a $50 core on your old torque converter they salvage some of.
Talk to Ron for more details.

jdm25 · **Joined:** Fri Jan 29, 2010 12:17 am **Posts:** 22

2mopar_diesels there is no doubt when it happens. Followed GDE's instructions above after I unhooked the camper. Took it out of overdrive, cruised until I hit a small hill and then pressed down the accelerator until the shudder filnally kicked it. It indeed felt like running over rumble strips. No way a dealer can claim they can't feel anything.

2mopar_diesels · **Posted:** Thu Mar 18, 2010 12:52 am

jdm25 wrote:

2mopar_diesels there is no doubt when it happens. Followed GDE's instructions above after I unhooked the camper. Took it out of overdrive, cruised until I hit a small hill and then pressed down the accelerator until the shudder filnally kicked it. It indeed felt like running over rumble strips. No way a dealer can claim they can't feel anything.

Thanks for the helpful input on this one!!!

artickid · **Posted:** Thu Mar 18, 2010 7:49 pm

Mine had the same problem, extreme shudder under heave load. Dealer replaced the TC and the pump under warranty. Unsure what TC I got, will be picking up the Jeep from the dealer tomorrow.
It took a little convincing to get them to fix it, had the SM ride with me until the shudder appeared.

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Fri Mar 19, 2010 7:43 am

How hard of a job is a front pump? Is it best to use all new pump, or fix the one that's there?

DynoPax · **Posted:** Sun Mar 21, 2010 11:48 am

I've inquired about this in earlier posts and had to figure out this may only be normal behavior. I don't feel the almost teeth-rattling thing, only a deep rumbling under stress (towing and steep hill climbing). I still think it's on its way to "shudderland", my warranty is on the brink (2500km left) and I look forward for the GDE tune... I'll pay a visit to the dealer, for sure. If you can get the tech to hop in for a ride to experience it first-hand, that'd be best...

jdm25 · **Joined:** Fri Jan 29, 2010 12:17 am **Posts:** 22

Just left the dealer. Took a tech for a ride and got some slight shudder. He suggested that I change the filter and Fluids. I told him this was a common issue, well documented on the web and a fluid change was not going to help. He had aparently been burned the week before by a customer self diagnosing, so I had to convince him that I knew what I was talking about. In the end, he agreed to replace the converter and pump.

The parts are on order, should get them in next week. I verified they are ordering the 68037142AA Torque converter. With any luck I will have it done next week for the $100 deductable.

Thanks to all for the help and I will give an update after the install.

jdm25 · **Joined:** Fri Jan 29, 2010 12:17 am **Posts:** 22

My parts came in this past Monday, but not before I spring a Fuel leak. First the return line on the fuel rail seemed to have magically popped off, so I replaced it. Then the Jeep stalled when I drove it. Had to shut it down completely to restart...I guesed air in the line, so I bled it over and over, to no avail. Then when I tried to crank it I heard a rattling noise, like I left a tool in the wrong place, but there was none. After that it quieted down, but I was leaking Fuel from somewhere else and it would not start at all now.

I towed it to the shop...Turns out it was the injector pump. I am still waiting for the part to come in....However they have already replaced the TC and pump...lot of good it does without the Injector pump. Good news was it was all covered under the powertrain, so 2 repairs, 1 deductable!

Any one have a clue why the injector pump would fail? Is it possible I did something when replacing the fuel line or bleeding the system?

Rich · **Posted:** Mon Apr 12, 2010 8:13 pm

jdm25 wrote:

Thanks all!!! Finally felt it when towing my camper. I was also able to reproduce it later without the camper.... Dealer replacement here I come.

STOP

go here, and follow the instructions.

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=48911

Can someone describe the CRD Torque converter shudder?

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