Shuddering: Transfer case? Torque Converter?
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Joined: Jun 2010
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2022 SL 55 AMG, 2020 AMG GT 53, 2015 GL 550
Shuddering: Transfer case? Torque Converter?
I've been getting a shudder when the vehicle warms up. You don't get it immediately following a startup. I drive for a few minutes then you get a shudder/vibration as it shifts. It seems to do it at the lower gears but it could just be that I notice it more during the lower gears.
I've replaced the spark plugs (atrocious)
I've replaced the transfer case fluid (dirty and burnt smelling)
I'm hoping it's not the torque converter or tranny going up on me.
I'm going to do a tranny service to see if that helps. Just wanted to know if anyone else has experienced this and was able to resolve it on the cheap. If not I'll drive it to the wheels fall off, or the transmission falls out whichever happens first.
I've replaced the spark plugs (atrocious)
I've replaced the transfer case fluid (dirty and burnt smelling)
I'm hoping it's not the torque converter or tranny going up on me.
I'm going to do a tranny service to see if that helps. Just wanted to know if anyone else has experienced this and was able to resolve it on the cheap. If not I'll drive it to the wheels fall off, or the transmission falls out whichever happens first.
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From: Orbiting the planet
This place is a joke.
I've been getting a shudder when the vehicle warms up. You don't get it immediately following a startup. I drive for a few minutes then you get a shudder/vibration as it shifts. It seems to do it at the lower gears but it could just be that I notice it more during the lower gears.
I've replaced the spark plugs (atrocious)
I've replaced the transfer case fluid (dirty and burnt smelling)
I'm hoping it's not the torque converter or tranny going up on me.
I'm going to do a tranny service to see if that helps. Just wanted to know if anyone else has experienced this and was able to resolve it on the cheap. If not I'll drive it to the wheels fall off, or the transmission falls out whichever happens first.
I've replaced the spark plugs (atrocious)
I've replaced the transfer case fluid (dirty and burnt smelling)
I'm hoping it's not the torque converter or tranny going up on me.
I'm going to do a tranny service to see if that helps. Just wanted to know if anyone else has experienced this and was able to resolve it on the cheap. If not I'll drive it to the wheels fall off, or the transmission falls out whichever happens first.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,509
Likes: 1,513
From: Orbiting the planet
This place is a joke.
Welp!.... try a couple things then. In a parking lot, turn the wheel full lock and accelerate slowly in a tight circle. You may feel a shudder/vibration and that would be the transfer case. Now you'll know what that feels like. Torque converter shudder sometimes feels the worse at low rpms after a shift with light throttle. See if you can feel a difference between the two. When you do the trans service you'll know more. When you drop the pan, check for metal shavings or heavy grey color deposits in the bottom of the pan. If the magnets are still there, and they look like porcupines your trans. is toast. It's normal to see the magnets covered in grey slime with very small, fine metal spikes. Best take a picture of the magnets and pan bottom before you clean anything so we can advise you.
Last edited by E55Greasemonkey; Jul 14, 2020 at 06:57 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 465
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2022 SL 55 AMG, 2020 AMG GT 53, 2015 GL 550
Thank you E55. Here's another interesting thing since you mention turn the wheel full lock. It binds when turning, it doesn't automatically return to center. Not sure if the two are related. It was wandering all over the road and I ended up replacing the rack and pinion bushing and did an airmatic to coil conversion which helped dramatically. While stable and not wandering it still doesn't return to center. I read somewhere that a visual inspection of the lower control arms may look fine but could be the problem. This is less of an issue for me but you mentioning full lock and feeling for a shudder made me wonder if the two could be related.
I tend to find the shudder at low rpms either before or after a shift and more intense going uphill. It's hard to tell but it's definitely at a shift point.
I never tried a tight circle full lock to validate the shudder, I will do that this evening and report back.
Thank you.
I tend to find the shudder at low rpms either before or after a shift and more intense going uphill. It's hard to tell but it's definitely at a shift point.
I never tried a tight circle full lock to validate the shudder, I will do that this evening and report back.
Thank you.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 27
Likes: 3
From: Daytona Bch, FL
2008 GL320 cdi
i had same problem, wasted a lot of time and money chasing the problem, finally found a used transmission with torque converter for $800 and that was it, that transmision lasted another 125k+\-. i tried the transmission service, new fluid, filter, drive shaft with center bearing, probably more that i forgot, it's been a few years. but the shuttering on acceleration, mine was mostly around 3-4th gear, i think. worst this is, no diagnostic codes or test for the problem. there was a video by shop in california the first identified issue and explained it, most of all they suggested only use a MB torque converter. good luck.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 465
Likes: 121
2022 SL 55 AMG, 2020 AMG GT 53, 2015 GL 550
Thanks
Thanks for that. I feel like I knew the issue but didn't want to face it. I bought this as a beater so dropping any money more than I already did was a no-go. I think I will drive it 'till the wheels or transmission falls out. I rarely drive it as-is.
Thanks for the insight!
QUOTE=Tpr211;8142739]i had same problem, wasted a lot
of time and money chasing the problem, finally found a used transmission with torque converter for $800 and that was it, that transmision lasted another 125k+\-. i tried the transmission service, new fluid, filter, drive shaft with center bearing, probably more that i forgot, it's been a few years. but the shuttering on acceleration, mine was mostly around 3-4th gear, i think. worst this is, no diagnostic codes or test for the problem. there was a video by shop in california the first identified issue and explained it, most of all they suggested only use a MB torque converter. good luck.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the insight!
QUOTE=Tpr211;8142739]i had same problem, wasted a lot
of time and money chasing the problem, finally found a used transmission with torque converter for $800 and that was it, that transmision lasted another 125k+\-. i tried the transmission service, new fluid, filter, drive shaft with center bearing, probably more that i forgot, it's been a few years. but the shuttering on acceleration, mine was mostly around 3-4th gear, i think. worst this is, no diagnostic codes or test for the problem. there was a video by shop in california the first identified issue and explained it, most of all they suggested only use a MB torque converter. good luck.[/QUOTE]
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Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 27
Likes: 3
From: Daytona Bch, FL
2008 GL320 cdi
Your welcome, I will say I’ve had a love hate thing going on with mine for along time. I have 320,000 miles on it, and it keeps running, that and it has a lifetime satellite radio subscription that can’t be switched to any other car. As long as you can find a salvage dealer that deals specifically with Mercedes and diesels, it might make 500k or more. I use mine like yours now, it’s a spare for towing, camping, hauling, and during hurricane everyone runs out of gas but not diesel. Stations with signs of no gas when asked about diesel “sure we have plenty of that”. But Im running mine until the motor stops as well, then the that salvage guy whose been supplying me gets it.
last note, if you find a salvaged transmission complete like I did cheap, it’s a fairly simple repair, just be careful switching your controller plate over to the new one. The shutting will start to really annoy the more you drive.
It’s surprisingly not that hard to repair these things yourself in the driveway, I eventually replaced all struts with Arrnotts, so they’re lifetime now, oil seals, swirl motor, keep resistors around for an emergency, Keep eye out for an alternator, it will eventually go.
last note, if you find a salvaged transmission complete like I did cheap, it’s a fairly simple repair, just be careful switching your controller plate over to the new one. The shutting will start to really annoy the more you drive.
It’s surprisingly not that hard to repair these things yourself in the driveway, I eventually replaced all struts with Arrnotts, so they’re lifetime now, oil seals, swirl motor, keep resistors around for an emergency, Keep eye out for an alternator, it will eventually go.
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Newbie
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
2008 ML 320
Got a link to this video? I'm having the same problem - 2008 ML320
i had same problem, wasted a lot of time and money chasing the problem, finally found a used transmission with torque converter for $800 and that was it, that transmision lasted another 125k+\-. i tried the transmission service, new fluid, filter, drive shaft with center bearing, probably more that i forgot, it's been a few years. but the shuttering on acceleration, mine was mostly around 3-4th gear, i think. worst this is, no diagnostic codes or test for the problem. there was a video by shop in california the first identified issue and explained it, most of all they suggested only use a MB torque converter. good luck.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
2011 R350 Bluetec
I have a 2011 R350 BT. I had severe shudder on acceleration. I believe it's due to torque converter solenoid. I removed the trans valve plate and then on the bench removed and cleaned all solenoids and passageways. Careful with the small ball bearings and springs. Once assembled and new fluid (FE type) it shifted like new . Be sure to drain the torque converter as well. This 120K KMs ago.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
2008 ML 320
Update here: Radiator sprung a big leak and had it replace...oddly enough this seem to eliminate the shudder as well...WTF is the relationship if any? Still going strong months later with no direct attention to anything transmission related.
Member
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 114
Likes: 21
From: Ibadan, Nigeria
2009 GL450
On this car, does the radiator also serve as transmission cooler? Maybe they put in more transmission fluid.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
GL 450
I had this same issue on my 2016 GL450 with 115k miles. Shudder was getting really bad and happening all of the time. I replaced the transmission filter and fluid with Liqui Moly. It then only shudder very little. I then put in Liqui Moly Jectron Fuel Injection Cleaner and the shudder is completely gone.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 703
Likes: 129
From: NE OHIO
1998 SL500,2011 GL550,2009 ML350,past 1995 E320 Cabrio ,2005 ML500,2006 ML500,1996 SL500,1972 280SEL
tranny fluid change
Why not change the tranny fluid and hopefully you have a torque converter drain. For a few bucks ?
