Vibration in Shifting

[1997 Exploder]

1997 Eplorer AWD. 190,000 miles on it and still going. So over the past 2 weeks i have noticed a growing vibration when driving. This mainly comes when the vehicle reaches a point where the tranny has to downshift. Like when you reach that point where your partialy up a long uphill grade. This can happen on the interstate as well as doing 35 mph. I do not recal the last time the tranny was flushed.

Friends are telling me that it is my Torque Converter going out. Any thoughts.

 

[fast_dave]

Have you gone underneath, grabbed the driveshaft, and checked your U-Joints?

1997 Eplorer AWD. 190,000 miles on it and still going. So over the past 2 weeks i have noticed a growing vibration when driving. This mainly comes when the vehicle reaches a point where the tranny has to downshift. Like when you reach that point where your partialy up a long uphill grade. This can happen on the interstate as well as doing 35 mph. I do not recal the last time the tranny was flushed.

Friends are telling me that it is my Torque Converter going out. Any thoughts.

 

[rabbit91]

1997 Eplorer AWD. 190,000 miles on it and still going. So over the past 2 weeks i have noticed a growing vibration when driving. This mainly comes when the vehicle reaches a point where the tranny has to downshift. Like when you reach that point where your partialy up a long uphill grade. This can happen on the interstate as well as doing 35 mph. I do not recal the last time the tranny was flushed.

Friends are telling me that it is my Torque Converter going out. Any thoughts.

Does it feel like rumble strips? if so it is mostly likely the fluid, google 4R70W shudder.

 

[1997 Exploder]

yes that is exactly how it feels when it is trying to shift.

 

[rabbit91]

You need to change the fluid because the problem is the fluid has broken down over time and becuase of heat

Drain the tranny and torque convert.
Add a large secondary transmission cooler (20,000gvw) this keeps the fluid much cooler - this is vital
refill with mercon v - only mercon v will do
optional: some people add a friction modifier (similar to the stuff added to limited slip differentials)

let me know how it goes

 

[anlo]

tranny fluid

not trying to hijack but my question works here,,, knowing all to well about the 4r70w as i own 3 supercoupes 2 95 models
my explorer 1996 4.0 does not have the 4r70w would i still want to use merc v regardless ??

 

[rabbit91]

I'm 90% sure that you would want to use Mercon V. I know that Mercon will not substitute for Mercon V. From my understanding Mercon V is an improvement on Mercon That doesn't break down as quickly.