How do I know if my torque converter is bad?

I have what seems very similar to the tranny shudder that plagued my truck a couple years ago. It was fixed by a fluid change and some LubeGuard.

Now it seems to have reappeared and the fix above has not seemed to work. Shuddering still occurs at various speeds...almost seems like a wheel intermittantly badly out of balance or a drive shaft out of balance as well.

Someone mentioned the torque converter may be bad.

Any help always appreciated

Thanks....

 

Anyone??

Someone here has had to have changed a torque converter before.

Maybe you're all enjoying a nice cool before responding!

Thanks in advance

 

I've been searching and gather info on the same problem.

Although mine is a high mile 160,000 E4OD tranny,I'm strongly leaning on the same concluision.

I am no expert......

I did a search using "Torque converter bulliten" and found a ford bulletin that said.

1st change fluid,

2nd filter/fluid change,

3rd forward and backward flush of the cooling lines(This is the next thing I'm going to attempt myself).


If those 3 failed, change to a updated low stall torque converter.

I'm also watching for a deal on a torque converter while I prepare for the flush procedure.I've seen some as low as $400 and as high as $1200

A few other people stated they switched to Mobil synthetic with Mercon qualitys and it cleared up shudder but knowing you already tried the additive, the flush or TC change may be your answer.

If you search yahoo like I did theres alot of stuff on shudder,but the Ford service bulletins seem to go stright to the point and most point at the torque converter.

 

At 60K I was having an big problem with something shutttering. Just like driving on a rumble strip. It only happened intermitently at hwy speeds. Did the fluid change. No help. Went through U joints too. Nothing helped. Just about the time I was ready to change the converter, I noticed the rear wheels were hard to turn. The parking brake was sticking!!!!! Banged the arms with a hammer and it never came back. This summer I'll open it up and never seize the brake linkages.

Lesson learned - don't count out the small stuff.

 

Great tip...

I'll check that.... too.

After doing another search,I found the thread and it was alot more info then I posted above....best is to do a search and make your own conclusion.

They also recommend having a ford dealer or tranny shop check for any codes which might confirm a bad TC....Im changing mine anyway though.

Mine being 160,000 miles...there wont be any loss knowing the torque converter has so many miles on it.