Torque Converter or what"?

[Mike_F]

2000 Explorer 5.0 V8 150,000 miles- When accelerating around 45 mph or so I sometimes (after car is warm) get a fairly noticeable/bucking shuddering. This is not he vibration I've seen described when people are talking about the torque converter. It feels like a miss, hesitation or temporary loss of power. Once over 50 mph there is no issue. Turning off OD seems to prevent it. The other day, while accelerating and at a much lower speed (20?) it sounded like a backfire from the engine - 3 pops. It has done that only once. The code reader shows only an evap leak and has for years. Once it showed a misfire on the #2 cylinder but I accidently cleared it before I took it to the mechanic and he couldn't reproduce it. I was convinced it was the TC but this back firing and the fact that the shudder (or whatever it is) is far more than a vibration has me second guessing. I did try some of the viscosity additive but it didn't help. Any ideas? I don't know why I keep buying Explorers. I went through 3 trannys between the previous 2.

 

[C420sailor]

Have you tried changing the fluid?

Mine had very similar symptoms before changing the old fluid.

 

[SenseiJ]

My transmission guy said change the fluid. it's known as "shutter" "shudder".

 

[C420sailor]

Feels like you’re driving over loud rumble strips and/or the engine is misfiring. New fluid cleared mine right up.