Violent Shudder

bradleyj · **Joined:** Wed Dec 30, 2009 12:41 pm **Posts:** 44

My '05 CRD has about 250,000 miles on it. I had a Euro torque converter and new front pump installed when I got my GDE Eco tune at 150,000 miles. Even with the Euro TC I would occasionally get some TC shudder when towing heavy loads uphill but it would stop as soon as I backed off on the accelerator. Didn't happen often. Several times over the last week or so when driving at highway speeds (not towing; just driving) the vehicle will shudder pretty violently, kind of like going over really deeply cut rumble strips. I'll pull over and stop and then when I drive away again everything's fine. I'm just holding a more or less constant speed when this happens, not accelerating hard. Does this sound like a bad torque converter? Trans fluid level is good and fluid looks clean, although it's now got 100,000 miles on it. Any other ideas what might be causing this? It's a pretty severe shudder. Very alarming.

Mountainman · **Posted:** Mon Mar 28, 2016 10:27 pm

u-joint is my guess

bradleyj · **Joined:** Wed Dec 30, 2009 12:41 pm **Posts:** 44

It just happened again this morning and I paid close attention to what was going on so I've got more info. I was on a moderate uphill grade when I started feeling a light shuddering that quickly developed into a full-blown shudder. When I took my foot off the accelerator the shudder stopped and it started again when I got back on it. Once again, I pulled over, came to a complete stop, looked under the vehicle to see if I could see anything obvious and then I drove off with the problem not occurring again.

A bad u-joint is a good guess but there are a few things that are making me think it's not a u-joint. First, I replaced both rear driveshaft u-joints and the front driveshaft last fall when I replaced the transfer case. Could still be a defective u-joint I suppose, but not too likely. What mostly makes me think it's not a u-joint is that the shuddering seems to be related to engine rpms as opposed to wheel rpms. Even when I was down to less than 10 mph it would shudder just as hard when I got on the gas as when I was going 60. It's acting like it's a problem somewhere between the engine and the transmission. The transmission's never had any work done on it so a problem with it certainly wouldn't surprise me, but the symptoms seem to be more indicative of a problem with the torque converter. Maybe the torque converter clutch isn't fully disengaging? It seems to happen when I get on the gas to maintain speed when I start going up a grade and these are conditions when the TCC would be unlocking, right?

flash7210 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 29, 2016 8:19 am

If the shudder only happen at speed above 50 mph, then yes, its probably the torque converter.
The TC lockup clutch does not apply at speed below 50 mph unless you have the OD-off.
With Od-off it will apply at about 38 mph.

Check you transmission fluid level.
You can also try adding any of the trans shudder fix additives found at the auto parts store.
(i.e. LubeGuard Dr Tranny shudder fix)

bradleyj · **Joined:** Wed Dec 30, 2009 12:41 pm **Posts:** 44

Once it begins it continues until I stop the vehicle but it doesn't seem to begin unless I'm at highway speed.

I added Dr. Tranny shortly after I installed the Euro TC because I was still occasionally getting shudder when towing heavy. Helped a lot but didn't cure it completely. This is much more violent shuddering though; definitely not right. 100,000 miles on the Euro TC may have killed it, especially with occasional towing.

wilco549 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 29, 2016 9:29 am

Sounds similar to problems I'm having. I feel confident it's the pump and/or valves in mine but I'm replacing the tranny on mine because the clutches are probably worn considerably anyway. I'm not confident in rebuilding one myself so I have picked up a low miles, '07 Dodge Hemi unit complete with TC.
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=84317

bradleyj · **Joined:** Wed Dec 30, 2009 12:41 pm **Posts:** 44

I had the upgraded pump installed when I had the Euro TC put in. A bad pump could cause these symptoms? The transmission shifts fine. Wouldn't I be seeing other problems with a bad pump?

olypopper · **Posted:** Tue Mar 29, 2016 10:20 am

If you had a bad pump there would be a ton of low pressure codes. You've got a roached converter. When you replace it, replace the solenoid pack in the transmission also.

bradleyj · **Joined:** Wed Dec 30, 2009 12:41 pm **Posts:** 44

Thanks. Any advice on where to get the solenoid pack? Are there versions available specific to the Jeep CRD or will anything made for the 545RFE transmission do?

olypopper · **Posted:** Tue Mar 29, 2016 10:40 am

I went to my local transmission/driveline shop and got everything for my trans except the torque converter.

Mountainman · **Posted:** Tue Mar 29, 2016 12:26 pm

Yeah, that is what my stock TC felt like after I drove it with a GDE tune and heavy towing for 15k, sounds like you got a weak one :banghead:

my condolences

bradleyj · **Joined:** Wed Dec 30, 2009 12:41 pm **Posts:** 44

I think I'll try a Hemi TC this time.

Mountainman · **Posted:** Tue Mar 29, 2016 1:45 pm

I'll have mine back on the road in a week with a Hemi TC, can't wait. I better get off the computer and get to the garage. Really looking forward to better hookup :rockon:

wilco549 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 30, 2016 1:38 pm

olypopper wrote:

If you had a bad pump there would be a ton of low pressure codes. You've got a roached converter. When you replace it, replace the solenoid pack in the transmission also.

Maybe if the pump could not maintain pressure, but there are 3 TC control valves in the pump that regulate TC function. Later model pumps have some anodized parts to reduce wear and provide better lock-up.

bugnout · **Posted:** Thu Mar 31, 2016 8:37 pm

Check the tri-link/boomerang ball joint. That can cause the symptoms your describing

Violent Shudder

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