Car shudders in high gear under load - transmission?
03-02-2003, 08:18 PM
#11
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I don't think I replaced the plug wires, can't remember for sure. I'll replace them and the fuel filter and see if that does anything. I have to replace a front wheel bearing and probably the front axle shaft. The threads on the outer end of the axle are so rusty, I don't know if I'll be able to get the nut over the threads.
BTW, does anyone know offhand the socket size needed to remove the front axle nut on the outer end of the axle? I have a 30mm socket that'* too small, and a 36mm socket that'* too big. Thanks for all the help.
BTW, does anyone know offhand the socket size needed to remove the front axle nut on the outer end of the axle? I have a 30mm socket that'* too small, and a 36mm socket that'* too big. Thanks for all the help.
03-02-2003, 08:23 PM
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Originally Posted by jr's3800
I agree with checking the fuel filter too... But at the same time the shudder could be in the torque converter... It could have to do with the lockup clutch allowing for slip in the trans when there should be almost none...
03-02-2003, 08:52 PM
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Originally Posted by jr's3800
When I see probs like this, I would love to drive the car so I can get a feel of whats happening to the car... Does it do this under any load like stop and go driving or going uphill at 30mph?
Also say at 40-45 mph, engine at normal temps, does the tach read a bit less than 2000 rpms? And does it then have the shudder?
The same for OD, say at 55-75 mph you should be between 1500 and 2000 rpms for these speeds, does the car shudder when going uphill? Do a little test for me the next time you are on the road... when you encounter the shudder, keep your right foot on the gas, and lightly tap the brake pedal, just enough to see the RPM'* come up.. for the moments that the Torque Converter Clutch has disengaged, does the shudder dissappear completely? And then return when the RPM'* drop.... Try this when you have time and let us know what happens...
But Do check on the fuel filter and plugs and wires...
Also say at 40-45 mph, engine at normal temps, does the tach read a bit less than 2000 rpms? And does it then have the shudder?
The same for OD, say at 55-75 mph you should be between 1500 and 2000 rpms for these speeds, does the car shudder when going uphill? Do a little test for me the next time you are on the road... when you encounter the shudder, keep your right foot on the gas, and lightly tap the brake pedal, just enough to see the RPM'* come up.. for the moments that the Torque Converter Clutch has disengaged, does the shudder dissappear completely? And then return when the RPM'* drop.... Try this when you have time and let us know what happens...
But Do check on the fuel filter and plugs and wires...
03-03-2003, 11:19 PM
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Is this something common to these cars , because I have similar problem and I've seen some other posts related to the same problem? Is itn't happening when you going strait first on 2200-2500 RPM and then road changing to uphill. Car is trying to change gear or whatever and rpm is dropping to 1500 and shakes the whole car at the moment and until you release the right pedal it has no power and loosing speed?
03-04-2003, 02:03 AM
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I think you'll find that most of the related problems like this (and this one is sounding more and more like it) will boil down to basic tuneup items. My Mom'* 93 LeSabre 3800 L27 was doing the same thing in November. Fuel filter, plugs, and wires. All 3 made a difference, and were done one weekend apart. It'* usually 2 or 3 contributing factors, even though one of them will be a major contributor.
Any time you have something like this, change the basic tuneup parts that haven't been done lately. Plugs, wires, air filter, fuel filter, pcv.
I think the reason that it'* more apparent in the higher gears is that you're lower in the hp and torque curves. You're more susceptible to stumbling if you're out of the power.
Any time you have something like this, change the basic tuneup parts that haven't been done lately. Plugs, wires, air filter, fuel filter, pcv.
I think the reason that it'* more apparent in the higher gears is that you're lower in the hp and torque curves. You're more susceptible to stumbling if you're out of the power.
03-04-2003, 12:15 PM
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Originally Posted by jr's3800
When I see probs like this, I would love to drive the car so I can get a feel of whats happening to the car... Does it do this under any load like stop and go driving or going uphill at 30mph?
Also say at 40-45 mph, engine at normal temps, does the tach read a bit less than 2000 rpms? And does it then have the shudder?
The same for OD, say at 55-75 mph you should be between 1500 and 2000 rpms for these speeds, does the car shudder when going uphill? Do a little test for me the next time you are on the road... when you encounter the shudder, keep your right foot on the gas, and lightly tap the brake pedal, just enough to see the RPM'* come up.. for the moments that the Torque Converter Clutch has disengaged, does the shudder dissappear completely? And then return when the RPM'* drop.... Try this when you have time and let us know what happens...
But Do check on the fuel filter and plugs and wires...
Also say at 40-45 mph, engine at normal temps, does the tach read a bit less than 2000 rpms? And does it then have the shudder?
The same for OD, say at 55-75 mph you should be between 1500 and 2000 rpms for these speeds, does the car shudder when going uphill? Do a little test for me the next time you are on the road... when you encounter the shudder, keep your right foot on the gas, and lightly tap the brake pedal, just enough to see the RPM'* come up.. for the moments that the Torque Converter Clutch has disengaged, does the shudder dissappear completely? And then return when the RPM'* drop.... Try this when you have time and let us know what happens...
But Do check on the fuel filter and plugs and wires...
I tried the test that jr's3800 suggested: Car does not shudder in stop & go or going uphill at 30 MPH. Car does it over about 40 MPH going uphill. If I'm going along at 40-60 up a slight incline, but not steep enough to make car shudder, and step just slightly on the gas, to put a slight load on it, it starts to shudder.
Going uphill with car shuddering, I stepped slightly on brake with left foot with right foot still on gas. RPM went up as tranny downshifted and shuddering stopped. Shuddering came back as soon as tranny upshifted again and RPM dropped. This happened with gearshift lever in Overdrive AND with gearshift lever in Drive.
I tried that test at about 65-70MPH at about 3000 RPM with gearshift in Drive. Didn't seem to shudder. Only seems to do it at lower RPM'* around 1600-2800 when engine is really loaded up. At low RPM'*, it really shudders. It'* not quite so violent at the higher RPM'*.
I haven't had a chance to change the fuel filter yet, probably this weekend. I will also order some Taylor plug wires. Plugs were changed about 17,000 miles ago.
03-04-2003, 01:08 PM
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I'm going to stick firmly on the plug wires and fuel filter for the time being. Even checking your existing plugs would be a good idea. I'm definitely leaning away from a tranny problem at this point, but I have been wrong before. I think once. Can't remember. Too long ago.
The fact that it'* only when loaded up at lower rpms is really ringing that bell for me.
The fact that it'* only when loaded up at lower rpms is really ringing that bell for me.
03-06-2003, 04:12 PM
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You guys are amazing! Here I was thinking there was something wrong with my tranny with the car shuddering under load. Some of you said to check all the tune-up items first...plugs, wires, gas filter, etc. I changed just the gas filter and the PCV valve yesterday. Took the car for a test drive and the shuddering is 90% gone! 
The only time it shuddered was going uphill at about 38 MPH and about 1800 RPM. At higher speeds, nothing. I checked the air filter too, and that needs to be changed. I'll do that and put some fuel injector cleaner in the next couple tanks of gas, and see how that goes. But the problem is almost solved. Thanks a lot for the suggestions guys, they worked!
The only time it shuddered was going uphill at about 38 MPH and about 1800 RPM. At higher speeds, nothing. I checked the air filter too, and that needs to be changed. I'll do that and put some fuel injector cleaner in the next couple tanks of gas, and see how that goes. But the problem is almost solved. Thanks a lot for the suggestions guys, they worked!