Torque converter shudder and warranty?

[Intense-Dakota]

I have a 2017 Rebel (5.7, 4x4) with 90K miles on the clock and my truck has started to do what I feel like is the torque converter shudder. When going up a grade at a constant 45-50mph, it feels like I'm riding on a washboard or rumble strips. At 65-75 I am also getting driveline vibrations, but only slightly noticable. My question is two fold. Can I test this the old school way of pressing the brake or will that not work on the newer 8 speeds, and also has anyone had experience with warranties and this? I have an extended bumper to bumper warranty that expires in March, but when I had it in to the stealership about a month ago, they wanted to just do a fluid exchange on my dime ($3-400) instead of replacing the torque converter. I only tow a 1500-2000lb camper a few times a year, but otherwise never tow or haul anything. I would think TC replacement is in order which would be covered by warranty and also the fluid change at that time as part of the repair. Your thoughts?

 

[ramffml]

I didn't know this was even a thing with the 8 speeds. Are you sure a simple fluid change won't fix it?

 

[Intense-Dakota]

I'm not sure either. Just don't want to throw $300+ at the problem (fluid change) just to have the torque converter fail 2 months after the warranty ends.

 

[chopperman1]

Bring it in and have it checked. Should be covered by your power train warranty, assuming you are still cover time-wise.

 

[JJRR]

My manual says nothing about fluid change on the 8-speed, it does on the 6-speed tho. Mine is a 2014 Ran 1500 with a lifetime warranty. I checked with my service manager to be sure and he agreed, nothing was mentioned in the manual about changing the fluid.

 

[Daw14]

My manual says nothing about fluid change on the 8-speed, it does on the 6-speed tho. Mine is a 2014 Ran 1500 with a lifetime warranty. I checked with my service manager to be sure and he agreed, nothing was mentioned in the manual about changing the fluid.

Check with Zf the transmission manufacturer , their recommendations are fluid and filter at 60,000 miles . Dealers lie very often ,and your transmission may last a lifetime, however the manufacturer designed the piece and probably knows more about their product then ram ,who wants to sell you a new truck every few years .

 

[A_mod_too_far]

I think you need to have it diagnosed by a shop that can test drive it with a scantool hooked up to watch the TC and make sure its operating within specifications or not before going too far down a rabbit hole of speculations

Requesting a TC replacement doesnt seem reasonable without a code or any concrete evidence. What if its just bad tires or something? Like how do we jump to Tc failure?

 

[bigdodge]

Check your driveshaft. You could lose some balancing weights that may cause some vibrations

 

[indept]

Check your driveshaft. You could lose some balancing weights that may cause some vibrations

^^^ This^^^
Not as much for missing weights which is rare but check the U-joints for rust around the 4 needle bearing cups. If there's rust the joint is probably shot. When the needle bearings go they dig little ruts in the U-joints which can cause vibration exactly like an out of balance tire and will cause vibration under load.

 

[indept]

Check with Zf the transmission manufacturer , their recommendations are fluid and filter at 60,000 miles . Dealers lie very often ,and your transmission may last a lifetime, however the manufacturer designed the piece and probably knows more about their product then ram ,who wants to sell you a new truck every few years .

It will last a lifetime without an oil change, see definition below:

life·time
/ˈlīfˌtīm/,
Lifetime ends the day after the warranty expires.