Nobody knows??
Synthetic tranny fluid smooth out shifts-05 F150 ?
- Thread starter bamorris2
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Nobody knows??
This thing should not be shifting rough at all, get a different dealer.
This trans is speced for mercon V, use only that.
A harsh 1-2 shift could mean a broken accumulator spring, very common, and cheap to fix.
This trans is speced for mercon V, use only that.
A harsh 1-2 shift could mean a broken accumulator spring, very common, and cheap to fix.
Thank you for your thoughts... Let me add a few things... First, it's not necessarily a "rough" shift, just a little shudder on the 1-2 upshift. Second, the truck is now out of warranty, so I hope to not visit ANY dealer... And thirdly, in my drive to work today (and at lunch), it appears that the shudder may be done. If that's the case, wouldn't that mean that the accumulator spring is ok (an additive won't mask a broken spring will it)?
Now I'm looking to find out what effect the additives have on the tranny (more slipeage, higher temps, etc).
Shudder could mean torque converter shudder, which means either the converter needs replacing (not usual with a truck with low mileage), or the fluid is burnt.
Honestly, I would change the fluid once a year in these things , and only use what the book recommends.
Honestly, I would change the fluid once a year in these things , and only use what the book recommends.
From Lubegard Red's website:
Reduces operating temperature, allowing transmissions to perform more efficiently. Increases thermal & oxidative stability of ATF for stop & go driving, heavy loads & towing. Reduces transmission wear, extends fluid & transmission life. Maximizes over all transmission performance. Helps reduce comeback & warranty problems for shops & mechanics. Insures proper & smooth shifts.
Prevents clutch chatter & torque converter shudder. Eliminates objectionable noise (squawks) during shifts. Keeps valves free. Frees stuck valves in valve bodies. Prevents hung governors. Modifies harsh shifts & makes them quicker in duration. Can be used with all ATFs: OEM, Synthetic or Mineral Oil Based. Contains LXE (synthetic esters & synthetics).
Reduces operating temperature, allowing transmissions to perform more efficiently. Increases thermal & oxidative stability of ATF for stop & go driving, heavy loads & towing. Reduces transmission wear, extends fluid & transmission life. Maximizes over all transmission performance. Helps reduce comeback & warranty problems for shops & mechanics. Insures proper & smooth shifts.
Prevents clutch chatter & torque converter shudder. Eliminates objectionable noise (squawks) during shifts. Keeps valves free. Frees stuck valves in valve bodies. Prevents hung governors. Modifies harsh shifts & makes them quicker in duration. Can be used with all ATFs: OEM, Synthetic or Mineral Oil Based. Contains LXE (synthetic esters & synthetics).
The shudderfix product would work similarly to the posi additive that you add to a differential. These are primarily a friction modifier that adds just enough friction reduction during clutch engagement to smooth things out, but not enough slip to increase heat or wear in the clutchpack. You want just enough of this friction modifier to stop the stick-slip cycle (clutch engagement shudder or in the case of the posi diff- a chatter) and to shift smoothly. Too much friction modifier would, yes, cause too much slip and other problems. In a posi, too much posi additive would allow the posi clutches to slip too easily, giving less torque to the wheel that has traction. In both cases, you want just enough to stop the chatter or shudder. I hope this helps answer your questions.
My friend had also mentioned the possibility of the commonly found broken accumulator spring, but said that would be the cause of a very harsh 1-2 shift, not really a shudder type problem. That is why I did not call attention to it.
My friend had also mentioned the possibility of the commonly found broken accumulator spring, but said that would be the cause of a very harsh 1-2 shift, not really a shudder type problem. That is why I did not call attention to it.
This is a post by MolaKule, it should help you figure out what that additive is doing in your transmission
MolaKule
Group IV Member
Reged: 06/06/02
Posts: 8681
Loc: Midwest Friction Reducers and AW Additives
#721319 - 10/18/02 05:47 PM Edit Reply Quote Quick Reply
Oil Soluble Friction Reducers (FM's) and Anti-Wear Additives (AW's)
(with an emphasis on Friction Modifiers)
by MoleKule*
Oil soluble friction modifiers - once called friction reducers - have been used many years by the lubricant industry. Many products made use of friction reducers:
- Automatic Transmission Fluids (ATF's or those designed for smooth clutch engagement)
- Limited Slip Gear Oils for limited slip differentials and transaxles
- Multipurpose tractor fluids for wet brakes
- engine oils
There are also many other, lesser-known products, also containing friction modifiers in the form of animal fats, vegetable oils, sulpherized olefin coplymers, and esters.
Such products made use of friction modifiers as a way to meet performance requirements calling for smooth transitions from static to dynamic conditions and vice versa, as well as for reduced squawk, chatter, noise, frictional heat and start-up torque.
In the seventies, some gear oil additives were found to reduce frictional heat and gear operating temperatures under extreme load conditions while eliminating chatter in limited slip differentials. It was thought these same additives might be used in engine oils to accomplish the same function.
MolaKule
Group IV Member
Reged: 06/06/02
Posts: 8681
Loc: Midwest Friction Reducers and AW Additives
#721319 - 10/18/02 05:47 PM Edit Reply Quote Quick Reply
Oil Soluble Friction Reducers (FM's) and Anti-Wear Additives (AW's)
(with an emphasis on Friction Modifiers)
by MoleKule*
Oil soluble friction modifiers - once called friction reducers - have been used many years by the lubricant industry. Many products made use of friction reducers:
- Automatic Transmission Fluids (ATF's or those designed for smooth clutch engagement)
- Limited Slip Gear Oils for limited slip differentials and transaxles
- Multipurpose tractor fluids for wet brakes
- engine oils
There are also many other, lesser-known products, also containing friction modifiers in the form of animal fats, vegetable oils, sulpherized olefin coplymers, and esters.
Such products made use of friction modifiers as a way to meet performance requirements calling for smooth transitions from static to dynamic conditions and vice versa, as well as for reduced squawk, chatter, noise, frictional heat and start-up torque.
In the seventies, some gear oil additives were found to reduce frictional heat and gear operating temperatures under extreme load conditions while eliminating chatter in limited slip differentials. It was thought these same additives might be used in engine oils to accomplish the same function.
unDummy,
Isn't that the little bottle of LubeGard Instant Shudder Fix(4 oz) for differantials and not auto trannys?
Isn't that the little bottle of LubeGard Instant Shudder Fix(4 oz) for differantials and not auto trannys?
The use of Shudder Fixx or any other transmission additive can help alliviate shudder (stick/slip of clutch in torque converter at low speeds) or chatter (clutch plates) if the ATF is depleted (old) or does not have enough friction modification to provide the proper controlled slip at low speeds. Obviously some additives are more agressive than others and offer instant gratification as opposed to a more gradual friction modification than others. The more agressive the additive the greater the danger you will adversely affect the torque carrying capacity of ATF at low sliding speeds. The LUBEGARD transmission additives are formulated to take longer than most additives and take 100-150 miles to work into the friction materials and reduce or eliminate shudder or chatter. This is accomplished without reducing the load carrying capacity at lower speeds of the ATF it is used in. The instant shudder fixx is more agressive and provides instant gratification to remove the shudder. Over use in a vehicle that is required to haul heavy loads everyday could induce undesireable slip of the clutches and should be used per the instructions.
Well I did both the Lubegard (red bottle), and I also added 1 package (2 ounces) of the Instant Shudder Fixx. I think that I under-dosed the Instant Shudder Fixx, as my tranny holds 14 qts of ATF. Anyway, I hope that cumutively, I didn't add too many additives that it reduces the torque load capacity. I guess I may find out next week when I tow my 7500 lbs travel trailer up the mountain. If it fails, then I get a new tranny, as I have a 75,000 miles Ford extended warranty. I currently have ~38,000 miles on it.
On a side note, it appears that the additives have helped with the 1-2 shudder. But it still has a "funny" 1-2 shift when the tranny is warmed up (normal daily driving, nothing abusive). I don't know how to describe it though; maybe like the actual shift takes longer. Not that it shifts later, but the actual process of going from 1st to 2nd takes longer when it's warmed up. I don't know... But I guess I'll just deal with it until it fails, IF it fails.
On a side note, it appears that the additives have helped with the 1-2 shudder. But it still has a "funny" 1-2 shift when the tranny is warmed up (normal daily driving, nothing abusive). I don't know how to describe it though; maybe like the actual shift takes longer. Not that it shifts later, but the actual process of going from 1st to 2nd takes longer when it's warmed up. I don't know... But I guess I'll just deal with it until it fails, IF it fails.
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