Torque Converter Shudder

[radman]

Coverter Drain

What Turdle said, the converter drain can be accessed by a 1 1/4" black plastic plug right on the bottom of the converter housing. Pry it out, it just snaps in, and then unplug your wires to the coil packs so the engine does not start up while having a friend jog the starter with the key switch. You can watch the converter turn past the hole while looking for the drain plug. It may take several try's before it stops in the opening.

When draining the transfer case make sure the fill plug can be removed before draining the fluid from the case and do not be surprised if you find the transfer case over full as it is possible for transmission fluid to migrate in to it through a small vent hole between the two units.

Last thing is how difficult it is to get fluid back into the transfer case without having some kind of pump to do it. There is practically no room under there to even place a small funnel with a hose on it. I used a small oil pump can and refilled it many times until the case was replenished.
Mike

 

[koda2000]

What Turdle said, the converter drain can be accessed by a 1 1/4" black plastic plug right on the bottom of the converter housing. Pry it out, it just snaps in, and then unplug your wires to the coil packs so the engine does not start up while having a friend jog the starter with the key switch. You can watch the converter turn past the hole while looking for the drain plug. It may take several try's before it stops in the opening.

When draining the transfer case make sure the fill plug can be removed before draining the fluid from the case and do not be surprised if you find the transfer case over full as it is possible for transmission fluid to migrate in to it through a small vent hole between the two units.

Last thing is how difficult it is to get fluid back into the transfer case without having some kind of pump to do it. There is practically no room under there to even place a small funnel with a hose on it. I used a small oil pump can and refilled it many times until the case was replenished.
Mike

i used the pointed top off an old gear oil bottle and a piece of 3/8" fuel line. worked fine, just don't let the hose com off the pointy thing, or you'll make a mess (or should i say, more of a mess... lol) oh, and the transfer case take Dexron/Mercon fluid, not Mercon V.

i didn't know the trans fluid could get into the T-case through the vent. i'd wondered why my T-case was overfilled, as technically they don't share fluid.

 

[radman]

Mine Does Use Mercon In Both

Thanks for the fill technique, I will use that next time. I got the fluid specifications straight from my 1999 owners manual page and you will note that both the transmission and transfer case use the same type fluid, "Motorcraft Mercon ATF" and that is Mercon V, that probably has to do with the fact that fluid from the transmission can and will get into the transfer case.
Mike

 

[koda2000]

Thanks for the fill technique, I will use that next time. I got the fluid specifications straight from my 1999 owners manual page and you will note that both the transmission and transfer case use the same type fluid, "Motorcraft Mercon ATF" and that is Mercon V, that probably has to do with the fact that fluid from the transmission can and will get into the transfer case.
Mike

Ford has changed the trans spec and now recommends Mercon V for all it's Gen II transmissions.

 

[SoNic67]

i used the pointed top off an old gear oil bottle and a piece of 3/8" fuel line. worked fine, just don't let the hose com off the pointy thing, or you'll make a mess (or should i say, more of a mess... lol).

That's exactly what I did. Including the part with hose coming off the "pointy thing" and spilling foul-smelling fluid on my driveway
I used Mercon V in AWD transfer case and 80W90 on front differential.

 

[koda2000]

That's exactly what I did. Including the part with hose coming off the "pointy thing" and spilling foul-smelling fluid on my driveway

yep, i've learned to never let go of the hose... lol

 

[Nuar]

Personally I don't like flushes. Just my opinion.

We had a LOT of shudder issues on the Vics, most still under warranty. Ford factory reps were called in and this is the solution they came up with. I didn't believe it either until I tried it. Try it first. You can tell a difference in how it shifts before you get around the block. This is all based on the 4R70W but should work equally well in any automatic.

You don't think Ford would recommend something not proven and pi$$ off someone buying 1000-1500 Fords a year do ya....... .......

Manufacturer: Motorcraft
Item Number: MCXL3
List Price: $4.95
4.5 oz

Thank you soooo much for sharing this info.
My 2000 explorer had a rough shift into overdrive. Went to a trans shop to change the fluid and the filter. It didn't help much and after a few months the car developed a bad shudder going into overdrive if i had my foot in the accelerator anything past 1/4 throttle. If i let out before it shifted it went in smooth.

I did a google search, found out it's called a torque converter shudder and came across this thread. I put a bottle of the friction modifier down the trans dipstic tube two days ago. On the very first drive the issue was gone COMPLETELY and the trans is shifting soooo smooth!

Again, thank you for this information! You saved me from bringing the car back to the trans shop and probably spending a lot more money.

 

[410Fortune]

Lube guard Dr tranny shudder fix has been known to work these miracles as well

Every 5r55e and 4r70w trans I do here at the shop gets a bottle or lubeguard red additive it is basically industry standard