Transmission clunk when feather gas

[Crillman]

Anybody have this problem on their 2wd 6 speed AT. Seems to happen when i'm trying to keep a constant speed between 20-50mph. I will lightly step on the gas while inbetween those speeds to maintain my speed. Usually happens after I lightly give some gas for a bit to gain a little more speed and then take my foot off the gas, I can get this "clunk" like the transmission is disingaging real roughly. It does happen at times when I lightly hit the gas between these speeds too. I guess I would say it's like it gets confused for a second and certain speeds what gear it should be in, or that it roughly re-ingages into gear. But not all the time.....

Anybody have this problem....or something similair. I have read some stuff about the 4WD getting having clunks and stuff, but apparently that is only for the 4wd. I don't notice anything drastic from a stop, like some others are saying as well. When it's cold it can shift a little rough, but that seems fairly normal.

[colb4130]

i have the same problem, but im in a 4x2. i think it might have something to do with the computer and the way it "learns" how you drive your truck. i broke my truck in driving it across the county pretty much, so i dont think my computer is "used to" slower, city-like driving. my truck came with a lifetime power train warranty, so i guess i dont mind.

[Just1click]

Hi , I have had this same problem for a year and a half !!
See my post's
I going back to the dealer on Nov. 17 maybe I'll know more then !
P.S. It is getting worse !!

[shadyskins]

I have experienced the same thing many many times. Hasn't really concerned me. usually there is a slight incline involved as well.

I will subscribe to this thread just in case.

[Crillman]

I did some research, and looks like they are aware of it....there is a TSB out for it.....I'll copy and past below...Notice the First Paragraph...is that what you have?


A/T - Torque Converter Shudders
TC018-07
REVISED Title:
TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER Models:
'07 - '08 Tundra (6 Speed ATM) November 30, 2007
TSB REVISION NOTICE :
^ January 4, 2008: Production Change Information has been added. Previous versions of this TSB should be discarded. Introduction
Some customers may complain about an intermittent shudder when lightly accelerating after an upshift between 20 - 45 mph (32 - 72 km/h) or before a downshift between 30 - 65 mph (48 - 104 km/h) when the torque converter assembly is in flex lockup. Production changes to the torque converter have been implemented to improve this condition. Refer to the diagnostic instructions below to confirm if the torque converter needs to be replaced. Applicable Vehicles
^ 2007 - 2008 model year Tundra vehicles equipped with 6 speed automatic transmission (5.7 L V8 engine) and produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VINs shown below.
Production Change Information

Warranty Information
Applicable Warranty*:
This repair is covered under the Toyota Powertrain Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 60 months or 60,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's in-service date. * Warranty application is limited to correction of a problem based upon a customer's specific complaint.
Parts Information

Required Tools & Equipment
Repair Procedure
1. Connect Techstream to the vehicle and perform Health Check. Confirm NO DTC(s) are stored in the ECM (SAE term: Powertrain Control Module/PCM). Are there any DTC(s) present in the ECM (PCM)?
^ If YES - This TSB does NOT apply. Refer to the Technical Information System (TIS) and diagnose DTC(s). ^ If NO - Go to Step 2. 2. Test drive the vehicle and confirm customer complaint of shudder. 3. Use Techstream to take a snapshot when shudder is occurring to confirm if shudder is occurring during flex lockup. Configure snapshot as follows:
30 Second Duration
Trigger Point at Midpoint NOTE :Refer to the University of Toyota online training class P901C "Techstream InDepth" for information about taking snapshots and graphing snapshots on Techstream.
4. Use Data List and the graphing functions of Snapshot to confirm the following data parameters when the shudder condition occurs: ^ Vehicle Speed ^ Shift Status ^ Lock Up ^ Lock Up Solenoid Status ^ SLU Solenoid Status ^ If the shudder occurs with Lock Up "ON", Lockup Solenoid Status "OFF", and SLU Solenoid Status "OFF", then the shudder is related to torque converter flex lockup. Go to step 5. ^ If the shudder occurs with Lock Up "OFF", Lock Up Solenoid Status "OFF", and SLU Solenoid Status "OFF", then the condition is NOT related to torque converter flex lockup and this TSB DOES NOT APPLY Continue diagnosis to identify the root cause for this shudder. 5. Replace the torque converter. Refer to TIS, 2007 or 2008 model year Tundra Repair Manual:
^ 2WD transmission: ^ Drivetrain - Automatic Transmission/Transaxle - "AB60EAutomatic Transmission: Automatic Transmission Assembly: Removal" ^ Drivetrain - Automatic Transmission/Transaxle - "AB60EAutomatic Transmission: Automatic Transmission Assembly: Installation" ^ 4WD transmission: ^ Drivetrain - Automatic Transmission/Transaxle - "AB60FAutomatic Transmission: Automatic Transmission Assembly: Removal" ^ Drivetrain - Automatic Transmission/Transaxle - "AB60FAutomatic Transmission: Automatic Transmission Assembly: Installation" 6. Adjust the transmission fluid level in the transmission. Refer to TSB No. TC009-07, "Transmission Fluid Level", to properly adjust the transmission fluid level.

NOTE :Failure to use WS transmission fluid and to properly adjust transmission fluid level can cause transmission shifting issues, M.I.L. "ON", and/or transmission damage. 7. Test drive the vehicle and confirm the shudder condition is eliminated.

[DiscoShorts]

I too have this issue. Rolling / coasting up or down a slight incline with begining to apply to the accelerator pedal and then the transmission grabs a gear very hard. A clunk that you feel.

Been to the dealer numerous times and have it documented. No luck replicating and hesitant on getting a new TC -

Just1click keep us posted if you wouldn't mind!

Thanks in advance.

[Crillman]

Why are you hesitant on getting a new TC? When I think about it, I dont want them tearing up my underside, just have a bad feeling it won't be much better and the'll end up screwing something else up when doing it. But wondering if there was any perticular reason other than what I just mentioned you dont want to go that route. Do you know if this problem could cause long term damage, or could end up stranded somewhere??

[wileetundra]

I have an 07 with 35K miles on it and have noticed this exact problem for many months. It is hard to duplicate on other roads but it almost always happens at a specific spot on a road near my home. I am cruising at about 40 mph on a level road, then I let my foot off the gas and start up a very slight incline, then when the speed drops to 30-35 mph I touch the gas lightly as the truck is headed up a second slight incline. As soon as I touch the gas I hear and feel a loud clunk which seems related to the transmission, as if something was hitting or shifting it really hard. When I cover this same approach with TOW/HAUL mode turned on then the problem does not occur which makes me suspect it is related to the hard up or down shift of the transmission.

I am nearing the end of my primary warranty so I took it to the dealer and I drove together with the master mechanic for 15 minutes near his shop but I could not duplicate it on those roads. Too many stop lights and traffic and not the right combination of speed and inclines. They checked the transmission fluid level and said it was ok, nothing to fix, so they are giving it back to me. I plan to pick it up tomorrow but will ask them to check out the TSB mentioned above just in case.

Has anyone actually had a dealer do this repair? Did it fix the issue? Is there any reason not to have it done?

[Crillman]

Let me know if you want me to send you a full copy of the TSB...just PM me.

[Shogren65]

Crillman,

I noticed this same thing for a while now and figured I would call my "servicing dealer" I explained everything and they are going to replace my TC on Monday. Last time I really noticed it was after I towed a 7000# boat. I will let you know if that was the cure.

[DavidNWALEO]

That happened to me the other day on the highway. Going about 70 when I tried to pass a slower vehicle. Little more aggressive on the accelerator and felt that clunk. Thought I tore something up.

[SlateTundra]

Mine does it sometimes just like you guys describe, almost always right between 32-38 MPH on a hill. I may take it in at 59,900 miles I don't have any extended warranty.

I'm nervous about letting them get ahold of the tranny and TC.

[wileetundra]

My dealer told me they didn't find any problem with my transmission. I specifically mentioned this TSB and asked them to double-check to see if the torque converter shudder might be the cause. They told me that if the TC was bad as described in the TSB then it would shudder a lot more often, almost all of the time, rather than under specific conditions relative to the slope of the road. So they refused to do any TC work and gave it back to me as-is. I am satisfied for now since I at least have the complaint on record but I still wonder if my problem is related to the TC or something else.

They did replace my driveshaft per the older TSB which was causing the truck to surge forward with a slight bump with when stopping. Maybe the new driveshaft will make everything OK but somehow I think I will be back in the shop later on down the road for the hard shift issue. I just couldn't duplicate it on the roads near the dealership so I didn't have any ammo to push them harder.

[Jasper7821]

Transmission Clunk, Driveshaft Thump, Worse After Propeller Shaft Replaced,

Here's a link about the transmission clunk I started

[Just1click]

HI :
Update on my transmission ; had it at the dealer Nov. 17 for reg. maintance ect.
and also "The Clunck" problem !
It started doing this about 5000-6000 miles ! At first I though I was hitting small pot holes ,
but realized that it was the transmission ; took it to the dealer several times for this but
could not dulplicte when at dealer [4 times now] .
Dealer told me that they have documents on my truck here and with
toyota corporate !
I Also now at 20,000 miles have the TQ. shudders at same speeds as the transmission cluncks !
Dealer told me not to worry ; it has been documented and I will have 100,000 warrenty on these issues , mean while just drive the truck !!
P.S. The shifting issues only happen when the truck is in 6th. gear and it abrutly shifts into
4th. , it will not happen under Heavy Acceleration , Tow/Hall , 5th-4th , 4th -5th ect.
Dealer said they cannot fix something unless they can duplicate it !!
The least we can do is is make as many dealers aware of this until we get a TSB !!!
Raise HE!!