10R80 clunks- possibly torque converter?

[freewayman]

I have a 2023 F150 with the 3.5 Ecoboost, 10R80 trans, and 3.73 rear. I'm just over 34k miles.

I've been getting clunks when gently on/off the throttle in 6th gear at low RPMs around 20 or so mph. These clunks seem to happen whether or not a shift even happens. Most of the time, it'll remain in 6th gear and I don't think I see any changes in the tachometer either. But I will feel/hear this obvious clunk/grab coming from the transmission area even with the windows up.

Last month, I brought it into the dealer as the truck is still under warranty. I verified the clunks on a road test with a technician, and he inspected the driveline and checked for software updates (there were none). He ended up resetting the adaptive tables/shift adaptations and told me to monitor. I was told by the service advisor the learning could take 2 weeks.

It's been over a month since then, and I've put about 1500 miles of driving (mostly city driving). However, I still get that same exact clunk. The funny thing is, every single upshift ever has been very smooth on this transmission. Most downshifts are very smooth as well, with the exception of to a stop, where intermittently I'll get one clunk/jerk as it downshifts to a stop. I think it's worth mentioning I rarely ever get these types of clunks in sport or tow/haul. Seems to only happen in normal mode.

I have scheduled another appointment with the dealer next week to get this checked out, however I was wondering if anyone has any ideas of what to expect. Right now I have my suspicions about how the torque converter is locking/unlocking, given the fact the clunks in 6th gear seems to happen independent of the transmission actually changing gears. If anyone has any thoughts or similar experiences I would be grateful for your opinions.

 

[panthermike]

Wish you luck with your service appt, unfortunately this seems to be very common with the 10R. I believe it's mostly programming on the newer models, as those who own GM products with the same trans don't seem to have many complaints. I test drove a '23 Silverado and a '24 F150 both with the 10 speed and felt the Silverado had FAR better tuning.

Yours being a '23 model, you should be past the valve body and CDF drum issues that troubled earlier 10R's.

 

[freewayman]

Wish you luck with your service appt, unfortunately this seems to be very common with the 10R. I believe it's mostly programming on the newer models, as those who own GM products with the same trans don't seem to have many complaints. I test drove a '23 Silverado and a '24 F150 both with the 10 speed and felt the Silverado had FAR better tuning.

Yours being a '23 model, you should be past the valve body and CDF drum issues that troubled earlier 10R's.

Thanks for the kind words Mike. I really hope it's just the programming and that's how the transmission is. I can definitely live with the occasional clunks and just turn the radio up and ignore it.

Regarding the CDF drum and valve body, to my understanding I have the revised CDF drum as my build date is after Aug 2022 however the valve body is still a concern with sticking valves.

In the end I just hope I don't get a lot of downtime to resolve this, and whatever it is I hope it doesn't affect longevity long term. I'm very satisfied with the truck in all other aspects and I really love the 3.5 Ecoboost motor, so I'm looking to keep it long term. Luckily I'm well within warranty still and my dealer is pretty good, so I'm optimistic we will get this trans figured out.

 

[panthermike]

Thanks for the kind words Mike. I really hope it's just the programming and that's how the transmission is. I can definitely live with the occasional clunks and just turn the radio up and ignore it.

Regarding the CDF drum and valve body, to my understanding I have the revised CDF drum as my build date is after Aug 2022 however the valve body is still a concern with sticking valves.

In the end I just hope I don't get a lot of downtime to resolve this, and whatever it is I hope it doesn't affect longevity long term. I'm very satisfied with the truck in all other aspects and I really love the 3.5 Ecoboost motor, so I'm looking to keep it long term. Luckily I'm well within warranty still and my dealer is pretty good, so I'm optimistic we will get this trans figured out.

I hope so too! I struggle with things like that, as I enjoy a nice driving experience. Something like a clunk would probably bother the heck out of me. Sounds like you have a good attitude going in though. Please update your experiences, would love to hear if Ford has anything they can do for you.

 

[b_b]

I've put 100k miles on a 10r they are just not the refined automatics of yesterday. they are programmed for maximum efficiency and smoothness of operation is almost an afterthought.

 

[freewayman]

I've put 100k miles on a 10r they are just not the refined automatics of yesterday. they are programmed for maximum efficiency and smoothness of operation is almost an afterthought.

I understand some clunks are normal, however the frequency at which they occur for me is a bit worrisome. So I'm not sure it's just the programming. I commute a couple hours a day through a hilly city, and I'll get at least 2-3 audible clunks.

 

[2013ecof150]

My 2019 F150 has done this since new and I just rolled 103k, its annoying but it doesn’t seem to be detrimental.

Also unless something has changed with the newer trucks, the adaptive learning typically takes 50-100 miles.

 

[bullwinkle]

Clunks, bangs, thumps, issues shifting cold, issues shifting hot. Up to 106K on the '21 Transit 250's 10R80 in my sig, every day that passes without metal & ATF on the ground is a surprise.

 

[freewayman]

My 2019 F150 has done this since new and I just rolled 103k, its annoying but it doesn’t seem to be detrimental.

Also unless something has changed with the newer trucks, the adaptive learning typically takes 50-100 miles.

Clunks, bangs, thumps, issues shifting cold, issues shifting hot. Up to 106K on the '21 Transit 250's 10R80 in my sig, every day that passes without metal & ATF on the ground is a surprise.

It's weird because none of the work trucks I've driven with a 10 speed (3.3 V6 F150, 6.2 V8 F350 with 10R140) had clunks like this. Or maybe I just didn't drive them enough to notice.

 

[2013ecof150]

We have a few of the 10r140’s at work in 450’s and 550’s. Some are gas, some diesel. I’ve never noticed the clunk in any of them.

 

[97prizm]

I have a 2023 F150 with the 3.5 Ecoboost, 10R80 trans, and 3.73 rear. I'm just over 34k miles.

I've been getting clunks when gently on/off the throttle in 6th gear at low RPMs around 20 or so mph. These clunks seem to happen whether or not a shift even happens. Most of the time, it'll remain in 6th gear and I don't think I see any changes in the tachometer either. But I will feel/hear this obvious clunk/grab coming from the transmission area even with the windows up.

Last month, I brought it into the dealer as the truck is still under warranty. I verified the clunks on a road test with a technician, and he inspected the driveline and checked for software updates (there were none). He ended up resetting the adaptive tables/shift adaptations and told me to monitor. I was told by the service advisor the learning could take 2 weeks.

It's been over a month since then, and I've put about 1500 miles of driving (mostly city driving). However, I still get that same exact clunk. The funny thing is, every single upshift ever has been very smooth on this transmission. Most downshifts are very smooth as well, with the exception of to a stop, where intermittently I'll get one clunk/jerk as it downshifts to a stop. I think it's worth mentioning I rarely ever get these types of clunks in sport or tow/haul. Seems to only happen in normal mode.

I have scheduled another appointment with the dealer next week to get this checked out, however I was wondering if anyone has any ideas of what to expect. Right now I have my suspicions about how the torque converter is locking/unlocking, given the fact the clunks in 6th gear seems to happen independent of the transmission actually changing gears. If anyone has any thoughts or similar experiences I would be grateful for your opinions.

Could it be a shift solenoid? That's one of the items I'm looking to replace on my neon.

 

[D60]

Right now I have my suspicions about how the torque converter is locking/unlocking, given the fact the clunks in 6th gear seems to happen independent of the transmission actually changing gears. If anyone has any thoughts or similar experiences I would be grateful for your opinions.

You'd still see a couple hundred RPM if it's unlocking.

If you can get a scanner that can command converter lockup while driving, you might be able to prove/disprove this theory.

 

[WylieCoyote]

My Mustang was right around 33,000 mi when I experienced my first issue. The transmission overheated on an 80 mile drive headed home and puked transmission fluid on the ground. I pulled over and let it idle, to cool the transmission, drove it the rest of the way home without further issue, and was alarmed to discover that the transmission cooler was stone cold to the touch right after I parked it. The transmission had enough fluid in it to operate, but when it came time for the thermostat to open and route it to the cooler, it ran low. The dealership claimed it had been leaking since new, however it never left a drop on my driveway or garage floor, so basically, it was under-filled at the factory and finally let me know during a spirited driving event on a hot day.

Unfortunately, being under warranty, you're at the mercy of the dealership's whims on how to fix this, but I recommend you request a fluid level check. Ford put a dipstick on this transmission that is completely ridiculous to use if you don't have a lift, a special tool, and some temperature-resistant gloves. If they have any sense, they will eliminate an easy fix first. There are a lot of reports online from owners who have discovered their transmissions to be under-filled from the factory.

 

[clinebarger]

Lugging automatics at lower speeds with the converter locked beats up Splines & Lugs....Couple that with "Tolerance Stack-up" of loose fitting parts can lead to clunks/noises.

Ford liked/likes to employ a skip shift strategy that can exacerbate the issue.

 

[CarbonToast]

Clinebarger is right.

Also you're diving around at 20mph with 400hp on tap. You found a scenario where it isn't perfect.

I don't doubt there are some 10r issues but I think people forget the transmission is setup to do everything from a hill start with a 10k trailer to 80mph on the freeway unloaded. It's not going to be butter in every conceivable situation. It's a truck.

The 6r80 in my F150 1-2 is not always smooth but 1 is super low range. It's a truck.

 

[freewayman]

Clinebarger is right.

Also you're diving around at 20mph with 400hp on tap. You found a scenario where it isn't perfect.

I don't doubt there are some 10r issues but I think people forget the transmission is setup to do everything from a hill start with a 10k trailer to 80mph on the freeway unloaded. It's not going to be butter in every conceivable situation. It's a truck.

The 6r80 in my F150 1-2 is not always smooth but 1 is super low range. It's a truck.

I get that, and you have a point. In fact the transmission performs very well and is very smooth when I drive aggressively, haul, or tow. It just doesn't make sense to me why it seems to make such weird clunks in such weird circumstances, where it seems like such an easy task for the truck, such as cruising at a low speed or braking to a stop. It just worries me. I get the fact it's a truck, but the fact this random clunk in 6th gear that's very scary, paired with the fact every single upshift and 95% of downshifts is completely smooth, just makes me think there's else something going on. I've driven many other trucks and if they were harsh, they consistently shifted harsh and firm, unlike mine. Also, only 34k miles on my truck so far so I do expect better. I guess you can't always be too hard on your kid, whose otherwise perfect, for spilling milk, so to say, but I think I would worry if they did it every day, randomly.

 

[CarbonToast]

I get that, and you have a point. In fact the transmission performs very well and is very smooth when I drive aggressively, haul, or tow. It just doesn't make sense to me why it seems to make such weird clunks in such weird circumstances, where it seems like such an easy task for the truck, such as cruising at a low speed or braking to a stop. It just worries me. I get the fact it's a truck, but the fact this random clunk in 6th gear that's very scary, paired with the fact every single upshift and 95% of downshifts is completely smooth, just makes me think there's else something going on. I've driven many other trucks and if they were harsh, they consistently shifted harsh and firm, unlike mine. Also, only 34k miles on my truck so far so I do expect better. I guess you can't always be too hard on your kid, whose otherwise perfect, for spilling milk, so to say, but I think I would worry if they did it every day, randomly.

I think there are alot of factors that could cause it. Rough math, At 20mph in 6th gear the engine is turning ~870 rpm and tires ~207 rpm. Upshift and your down to 685 rpm, downshift and your up to 1042 rpm. The whole time your fighting between the driveline, engine, and mass of the truck. Transmission is stuck in the middle.

 

[freewayman]

I think there are alot of factors that could cause it. Rough math, At 20mph in 6th gear the engine is turning ~870 rpm and tires ~207 rpm. Upshift and your down to 685 rpm, downshift and your up to 1042 rpm. The whole time your fighting between the driveline, engine, and mass of the truck. Transmission is stuck in the middle.

Yeah 100%. If it were a manual, there would be no way im in 6th gear at that speed. I wish normal mode would be a little bit more proactive about downshifting during coast-down or at least unlocking the torque converter more often, making it smoother on the driveline. However, given that this is the way Ford ended up programming it, I would just expect it to be a bit more smoother. I could drive it in sport mode or tow/haul all the time as well, and that eliminates the clunking, but I feel like that may just be masking the issue.

I wish I could demonstrate the clunk here somehow, but it's something that's hard to notice on a recording. It's just something that's really out of place. If its just inherent play/slack along the driveline you would think it would make similar noises in say, 8th gear, under those same conditions, but it doesn't. The tech I test drove with didn't think it was normal either. I've heard from other Ford owners that their dealers have dismissed concerns around clunks as normal.

At the end of the day, I can live with the clunk, but I worry this is causing accelerated wear down the line. I don't recall my truck ever doing this when i just bought it, really only something i noticed in recent months. or perhaps i just never noticed it before. I might go and test drive a truck with the same engine, trans, rear-end, and see if it does this too, and confirm my suspicions.