[FJDarren]

So I got the infamous shudder and quickly panicked and took it for a wheel balance hoping for the best.. still a shudder so I take it for a transmission fluid change shop calls and they tell me bad internal transmission so then I start really freaking out until I read more into it.. so I’m thinking to just go for a transmission flush and hope that solves it all. What would you guys recommend?

p.s I just hit 223k miles

 

[NyNomad]

no flush.. 3-5 drain and fills

 

[FJDarren]

no flush.. 3-5 drain and fills

So then tell them to do it in this way or drain and fill ride awhile then take it back 3-5 times ?

 

[FJDarren]

So then tell them to do it in this way or drain and fill ride awhile then take it back 3-5 times ?

The last place I took it to wouldn’t drain and fill it because they said faulty transmission and didn’t want to touch it.

 

[NyNomad]

you can do it if you have flat level ground. 1. take fj for 15-20min drive to get transmission temp up. 2. park on level ground. 3. drain trans fluid from pan. 4.refill to level line plug on pan. 5. take FJ for 5-10min rideaking sure the transmission shifts through all it's gears... repeat steps 2-5....

I'm sure someone else will give additional or other guidance.

 

[NyNomad]

oh, and best to ensure you are getting Transmission fluid specifically for Toyota.

 

[iwashmycar]

The drain and fill is only like 3-5 quarts out of the 12+ (?) that is in the trans. You want fresh fluid to try and stop the slipping.

The stuff isnt cheap and there is a lot of it, so unless you are going to DIY, then have the whole thing flushed with fresh Toyota WS fluid.

I get them not wanting to touch it but maybe find another place that will, and youll have to know going in that the $300 or whatever is costs might be lost if it doesnt fix it.

If the flush doesnt fully solve it then a last ditch effort would be to add some 'Shudder Fix' stuff and pray lol.

 

[DadBod]

I'd also recommend setting a sample into Blackstone Labs. They'll analyze your oil and tell you what metals may be present...I'm currently in the middle of a drain and fill sequence with samples being sent to them each time.

 

[FJDarren]

The drain and fill is only like 3-5 quarts out of the 12+ (?) that is in the trans. You want fresh fluid to try and stop the slipping.

The stuff isnt cheap and there is a lot of it, so unless you are going to DIY, then have the whole thing flushed with fresh Toyota WS fluid.

I get them not wanting to touch it but maybe find another place that will, and youll have to know going in that the $300 or whatever is costs might be lost if it doesnt fix it.

If the flush doesnt fully solve it then a last ditch effort would be to add some 'Shudder Fix' stuff and pray lol.

So a full flush you don’t think will have bad effect?

 

[Kaiju]

With that much mileage, I'd perform drain and fills, not a flush. There is in all likelihood varnish coating the clutch plates. If you suddenly replace ALL the fluid with fresh ATF, it will act like a solvent and dissolve that varnish in one fell swoop. Then you'd have shifting issues. Warm up your FJ and drain and refill with Toyota WS ATF. Measure what comes out and put the SAME amount back in. Drive and see how it shifts, then do it again and test drive. Do this 2 more times, but on the final time, overfill it just slightly, get the trans up to 130 F (borrow or purchase an infrared handheld thermometer to point at the pan), make sure you're parked on level ground with the engine idling and remove the level check plug and let the extra drain out until it's just a dribble and reinstall. The level check plug has a small internal hex like an Allen bolt. You may want to purchase the 2 plug washers and the level check o-ring and then install them on the last drain procedure you do.

 

[lakes73]

I had the shudder...The dealer did a power flush..No more shudder so for after 5k miles.

 

[NyNomad]

I had the shudder...The dealer did a power flush..No more shudder so for after 5k miles.

at what mileage?

 

[lakes73]

at what mileage?

133k.

 

[Kaiju]

The OP has twice that. The clutch plates in the transmission are almost guaranteed to be covered in ATF varnish. If that gets dissolved suddenly by new fluid, then you'll get shifting issues and clutch slippage. Better to do a couple of drain and fills and see how the transmission responds to the new fluid and work it in slowly. If no issues show up in 3 or 4 drains, drive it for awhile and then do a full flush. That, or just perform a regular drain and fill every year like you do an engine oil change as regular preventative transmission maintenance.

 

[NyNomad]

that's why I usually say: "before a hundred k flush away, over 100k drain and fills probably a safer bet

 

[FJDarren]

Alright so took it to transmission shop and the won’t touch it because shudder is internal and won’t do a drain and fill so next step is doing it myself now to get specific Toyota oil

 

[lakes73]

Took it to a Toyota dealer...They would not do a power flush,said the fluid was lifetime,I needed a new torque converter.It would cost 2k...I called another Toyota dealer,they said a power flush would cost $250,they could do it while I wait the next morning. Still no shudder after 5k..Knock on hood..haha!

 

[darksidetourist57]

I wonder, when the dealer replaces the torque converter- since the fluid is lifetime rated, are they going to re-use it or replace with new?

 

[lakes73]

They said new.

 

[FJDarren]

UPDATE : changed transmission fluid and I know it’s early but first test drive …shudder still there ..

I dropped pan changed filter added new fluid should I keep drain and filling every so 100 miles until better or just keep drain and filling until it gets better?