I have a standard cab '97 F-150 with a 4.6L engine and auto trans. When the truck is at 1500 rpm, give or take, I get this vibration as if I were going over a rub board on the road. I'm told it's torque convertor chatter. It does it with or without overdrive turned on. Will a fluid and filter change help or is this going to cost me a small fortune to fix?

 

Sounds like the convertor may need replaced, like it's out of balance. And it's not cheap if you're not doing it yourself. How many miles does your transmission have? When was the last time the fluid and filter were changed? Has it been run low on fluid?

 

I agree with Ford man, it may be fluid and filter if you have over 35-40k miles. Try this first.

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Mine: FOR SALE SOON...1997 F150, XLT, SC, Oxford white/maroon 60/40 cloth, 4x4 ORP, 4.6L, 3.55LS, 17" ORP wheels w/GY AT/S LT265/70/17, auto, 6 CD,Towing package, alarm, Rhino grill guard w/PICCA lights, dual exhaust. Bought new June '96

Wife: '99Explorer Limited,pearl white/tan leather,4.0L,4:10LS,CD,sunroof,towing pkg.,alarm. Bought new Sept. 1999

Next: 2001 F150 XLT SuperCrew, 5.4L, 4x4,3:55LS,tow pkg. etc.......

Previous: '65 Mustang 289 HP, '70 Chevelle SS 396, '70 Vette Conv. 350/350, '74 Vette TTop, '79 Blazer, '89 TBird Super Coupe 3.8L SuperCharged, '93 Explorer 4.0L

 

Wifey's '97 Mustang ragtop suffered from the same symptoms. I took it back to the dealer, and under warranty , they flushed out the tranny, torque converter, and lines, as well as changing the filter.
They refilled the tranny with Mercon V and everything's GREAT! The mustang has the same tranny as our beloved F150's, so, it should do the trick. If your truck is under warranty, have FORD pick up the tab on this one!
Good luck....

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'97 S/C XLS black/silver 157" WB, 4.6/auto, 3:08, home made custom stainless tube grille, terminator muffler, phantom sweep wiper switch(factory installed), a few billet aluminum goodies (the list grows), airbox mods, TPS tuned
email: bazils@hotmail.com
http://content.communities.msn.com/bazilspix/PhotoAlbum

 

do not replace the convertor there is a drain plug in the convertor you will have to rolll the motor over till you see the plug it is a 7/16 pipe plug i beleive drain all the fluid out of convertor and change fluid in pan as well, it will hold alot of fluid around 4 qts you will have to run the truck from there other wise the fluid wont pump into the convertor the convertor hold approx 5-6 qts it has been a wheil but there was a tsb on that it was called a convertor shudder, when it happens does it go away if you lightly tap the brake pedal? because if it does this should work tapping the pedal dis-engages the convertor lock up. hope this helps.

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*2000 blk xlt f150
*5.4 4x4 3.55 ls
*sc orp pkg
*tow pkg, 17 inch wheels
*herculiner,remote start
*flowmaster, air box mod
*bfg ko's A.R.E. cap
*sony 10 disc cd player
*k&n air filter
*superchip
* havoline synthetic oil
****mods to come*********
harley davison hitch reciver plug.
removing stock cab steps& installing westins.

 

I had the exact same problem. New filter and fluid did the trick for me.

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1997 F-150 4X4 ORP, pacific green, 4.6L, K&N filter, DeflectaShield bug shield.