Me and a buddy of mine are having a similar problem and i would like some opinions on fluid to use, techniques, and brands of filters to change the tranny ...

Me and a buddy of mine are having a similar problem and i would like some opinions on fluid to use, techniques, and brands of filters to change the tranny fluid. I have 99' silverado 1500, 2wd, 5.3 4l60e transmission with a split drive shaft and a G80 rear diff. he has the same just a 00', both around 120,000. i am getting a shudder at about 15-24 mph on acceleration and his is about 40-55, i believe from other forums we have a break down of tranny fluid and that is creating the torque converter shudder. Any other suggestions? we both have replaced the center support bearing on the drive shaft already. helped but didnt solve.

I seriously doubt it is converter shudder. If the fluid is "Spent", the same fluid applies your clutches. Does it do the shudder on acceleration as well as coastdown? Would it do it with the engine off and transmission in neutral while coasting down through the problem speed? Have you checked the U joints? Has it been lifted? Are your transmission and engine mounts ok? Did you check to see if you have a bent axle or driveshaft?

Thank u for the reply. The truck is not lifted, checked the ujoints, drive shaft looks too be strait using a yard stick to check. The engine mounts and tranny mounts are secure. It only happens at acceleration and when the throttle is feathered at those speeds. Not on coast. Tried it in neutral but not with the engine off.

I am having the same issue. Mine seems to do it mostly in overdrive. When the engine RPM's are low and the truck is in overdrive you can make it shudder by giving it a bit more gas, but not enough to make it shift into another gear. It also seems to do it on hills on the highway. If I downshift manually, or give it enough gas to switch gears it is smooth as glass. It has me wondering if overdrive is starting to go out of my transmission.

kinneyb wrote:Me and a buddy of mine are having a similar problem and i would like some opinions on fluid to use, techniques, and brands of filters to change the tranny fluid. I have 99' silverado 1500, 2wd, 5.3 4l60e transmission with a split drive shaft and a G80 rear diff. he has the same just a 00', both around 120,000. i am getting a shudder at about 15-24 mph on acceleration and his is about 40-55, i believe from other forums we have a break down of tranny fluid and that is creating the torque converter shudder. Any other suggestions? we both have replaced the center support bearing on the drive shaft already. helped but didnt solve.

The only torque converter shudder I've ever experienced has always been on takeoff when you first start to apply throttle. Your problem sounds more like the converter trying to lock up. I know there is some argument against flushing, but I've always flushed the trans on my used cars after I buy them and have always had good results. I used to buy used police crown vic's and these were notorious for TC shudder and the flush eliminated it every time.

If you are having transmission problems and think it tcc chater this may help. Go to sonnax.com and click on tech library. Very good info on the site.

Just want to add most torque converter chatter you here about is when the lock up clutch is appling. You can rule this out by taping your brakes lightly when you have the chatter. If it goes away its the torque converter or wear in the valve body.

I just dropped the trans in my 2000 Sierra. I just used an after market filter, but I wanted to warn you that there are 2 filters for the 4L60, a shallow pan and deep pan. Make sure you get the correct filter. Check and compare the two in the store, because the auto store I bought mine from insisted I has the right filter, I asked to see both and sure enough someone put the wrong filter in the wrong box. The deep pan filter has the same profile but is thicker, and the shallow pan filter is thin, but you can see the difference easily. If you have a deep pan, it should have a step down at the bottom. I read, I think on a different site, of someone installing the wrong filter and the truck would not shift right. I put DEXRON VI fluid in mine, its expensive but I've heard good things about it. I have heard of guys using other ATF fluid but I didn't want to stray from GM specifications.

You DO have shudder. I have used Lubgard platinum for a long time and it stops the shudder dead in its tracks . It has worked for me and my customers EVERY TIME . $10 fix.

An update on the status of my "shudder". I had not owned the truck very long when I first noticed the symptoms. The problem ended up not being with the transmission or torque converter at all. I was having a misfire issue, but not severe enough to throw an engine code. I did a basic tune up to the vehicle, new plugs, wires, air filter, fuel filter ect. and the problem is gone. I would have definitely lost a bet on the solution to the problem, but read of others having a similar issue. I figured for no more than a tune up cost, it would be my first step to troubleshoot the problem. There ended up being 2 plugs that were pretty loose and one wire that looked good, but fell apart in my hands when I went to replace it.

Since the tune up the Silverado hasn't missed a beat and no longer seems to bog down on the hills at highway speeds.

It is common for people to think that a small misfire is a transmission problem. They will often cause the transmission to shift at odd times.