8 speed Trans Shudder (3rd Gear)

[16RamHemi]

Hey Guys,

the last two mornings i have felt a shudder (not violent, a light shake, fairly short but noticable) when the truck (2014 5.7 8 speed 3.21 72300 miles) shifts into 3rd gear. I typically manually shift my truck, but these two times i did not. Both were in the morning about 6 minutes after leaving my house. Both at the same location and shift. This spot is at a stop sign, and occurs when shifting into third. At no other time do or have i felt this. I also run in TH at all times and mds off.

I purchased the truck about 5000 miles ago. Has had a 4" lift and 35" tires for who knows how long (previous owner had it all done). Ill definitely pay attention to things here on out to add.

Temps have never gotten high. Typically stays in the 170-175 range

Any ideas? TIA

Justin

 

[Burla]

So low rpm shudder or right at the change? I have had low rpm shudder ever since I had the truck seams exclusively 3 and 4th gear, TH solved it for me, but when I changed my fluid to c+ I don't need TH anymore. You haven't done a fluid swap yet? If not, it is likely over due. See if you can duplicate like a road where you would go 25 mph, and try and get the rpm's up like in 4th gear and see how low you can get rpm's in that gear and see if that duplicates at all. Easy on the throttle, just like you are a grandpa. Try some differing low rpm runs, like you are bogging the engine. Regardless, it is likely time for a fluid change and are you gonna do the metal thread upgrade?

 

[16RamHemi]

@Burla ...wasnt able to do much "testing" yet. could not get the shudder again. no low rpm shudder at all. i did notice that sometimes at low rpm (have really only noticed it in 3rd) say when turning then going to slowly accelerate again, the trans will slip a bit (tach up a bit before going). the accelerate fine. if the rpms are higher making a turn then accelerating the slip is not there. just low rpm...almost where the truck could/should down shift to 2nd but didnt.

thats all so far. no i have not serviced the trans. at 72k miles. if there is damage is a service going to do any good? power and everything seems to be there.

 

[Burla]

Sorry man, my brain must have been at idle, I see you said 8 speed now, but your gear set is one that does allow for low rpm's. And most definitely fluid changes can correct some transmision issues ESPECIALLY low rpm shudder, I can't even say how many times I've heard my transmision is slipping and a fluid changed helped. The 8 speed is an entire other matter though, unless you do it yourself it will cost a fortune, and it is a task to check the fluid level, but that is what I'd do first, follow to prcedure to check the fluid level and make sure it isn't low, or just do a dyi transmision flush, might take the better part of a day. Then you have to decide what oil to put back, on the chance it may or may not help. And then decide on an oil, factory, ravenol pao, or redline d6, or even some guys using maxlife. Yu have seen the dyi flush procedure for the 8 speed? You have a garage? If it were me, I'd buy the pan/filter and change the fluid. There is that much of a chance it can help, and 72k miles on oil that gets preheated is a lot of miles despite what fca says.

 

[16RamHemi]

i do not have a garage. have one at work i may have access to. boss should be ok with it. i havent watched many videos. just the other day i watched part of one. to me, not a mechanic, seems like the best option would be buy new pan (with dipstick), fluid, filters and just take stock off and throw away (drill hole in stock pan if it helps). i have not priced this out. any chance its another part? valve body? am i better off just riding it out and replacing it for 4500 when it goes? i know you @Butla and @wildone (apologies if i got the name wrong) disagree on some 8 speed stuff...

 

[Burla]

No we don't disagree, he just likes to argue He thinks I don't like the 8 speed, which is wrong, I just don't like pre heated fluids, non replacable filter, no dip stick, process just to check level, etc. But, the 8 speed is still an upgrade from the rfe. Keeps the engine and tranny in better rpm's.

Good question about the VB, I really don't know because everything I know about the VB is from the rfe's. Maybe ask the question about upgrades possible with the 8 speed guys, the syn thread buds have rfe. Sean has a channel check it out, I think he has like 3 flushes on there, not sure. I don't know about the dip stick, is that a new thing?

When I got a pan, I'd get a couple filters with it from the same place I got the pan, something like this. I believe the factory pan doesn't have replacable filter, you just replace the entire unit. GL, sorry not more help, PM wild see what he has for ya.

 

[Burla]

Even if someday you have to buy new tranny, the upgraded pan will still be helpful.

 

[Wild one]

i do not have a garage. have one at work i may have access to. boss should be ok with it. i havent watched many videos. just the other day i watched part of one. to me, not a mechanic, seems like the best option would be buy new pan (with dipstick), fluid, filters and just take stock off and throw away (drill hole in stock pan if it helps). i have not priced this out. any chance its another part? valve body? am i better off just riding it out and replacing it for 4500 when it goes? i know you @Butla and @wildone (apologies if i got the name wrong) disagree on some 8 speed stuff...

Burla and I do argue about the 8 speed,but he's a pretty good guy,and is a good source of info,the bugger talked me into Redline years ago,and I gotta thank him for that,lol. I'd try the oil change/filter as he's stated if you're out of warrenty,and are on the hook for repairs yourself. In my experience the 8 speeds usually start banging shifts really hard and downshifting all the way down to 4th on any type of hill if they're starting to go,the shudder you're describing I haven't really heard mentioned much,but that doesn't mean a hell'va lot. If you have a decent dealer local to you,see if you can talk to their transmission guy,and maybe offer to buy him a coffee or something if he'll go for a ride with you.

 

[RamCares]

Hey Guys,

the last two mornings i have felt a shudder (not violent, a light shake, fairly short but noticable) when the truck (2014 5.7 8 speed 3.21 72300 miles) shifts into 3rd gear. I typically manually shift my truck, but these two times i did not. Both were in the morning about 6 minutes after leaving my house. Both at the same location and shift. This spot is at a stop sign, and occurs when shifting into third. At no other time do or have i felt this. I also run in TH at all times and mds off.

I purchased the truck about 5000 miles ago. Has had a 4" lift and 35" tires for who knows how long (previous owner had it all done). Ill definitely pay attention to things here on out to add.

Temps have never gotten high. Typically stays in the 170-175 range

Any ideas? TIA

Justin

Hi Justin,

You've got some great advice here. If you decide you'd like to get this inspected by the dealer, let us know. We're available via direct message and would be happy to help with that process.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[16RamHemi]

Hi Justin,

You've got some great advice here. If you decide you'd like to get this inspected by the dealer, let us know. We're available via direct message and would be happy to help with that process.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist

thank you for reaching out. im out of warranty so i will not be going to a dealer.

 

[16RamHemi]

so oddly, yesterday and again today, no shudder. i waited for it at the same place as before and nothing. im still going to start saving for the service. what is the best parts to use? its oem for fluid correct? i see on rockauto mopar pan is 170 with filter. there must be some sort of self tapping drain valve to tap into pan to get fluid out vs taking bolts iut and prying pan down and getting fluid out (youtube)?

 

[meedom]

There is a drain screw in the original oem pan.

 

[RamCares]

thank you for reaching out. im out of warranty so i will not be going to a dealer.

Understandable, 16RamiHemi. Despite this, you're always welcome to connect with us if a question arises in the future.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[GarrettLaube]

Hey im a little tarty to the party but this is almost exactly as I am experiencing, ATF fluid and filter change from dealership ran me $800 and a month later (93k) it is doing it again, majority of the shudder during 1-2nd, even had a problem of shifting to 2nd then back down to first and being stuck at 1500 rpm even while I was gaining speed (turned right out of a business on a flat road) have you found a fix since last year? Any response would be great as Im still looking for a fix

 

[Burla]

Hey im a little tarty to the party but this is almost exactly as I am experiencing, ATF fluid and filter change from dealership ran me $800 and a month later (93k) it is doing it again, majority of the shudder during 1-2nd, even had a problem of shifting to 2nd then back down to first and being stuck at 1500 rpm even while I was gaining speed (turned right out of a business on a flat road) have you found a fix since last year? Any response would be great as Im still looking for a fix

6 speed or 8 speed? That cost sounds like an 8 speed, what is operating temps?

 

[GarrettLaube]

6 speed or 8 speed? That cost sounds like an 8 speed, what is operating temps?

Again late to the party but since my OP(if you even saw it) back in november I went silent and continued testing as snow began to make its way to my state. Its a 8 speed and normal temps range from 190-210, only 200+ when oil is 205+. I have made a new post stating my observations, it can be found here. I believe it may have something to do with mds now.

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/mds-shutter-and-shake-first-and-second.173886/