shudder Archives - Transmission Digest
Use TSB’s in Your Diagnostic Routine

When diagnosing today’s complex vehicles, we have a wealth of information at our disposal. How we use that information is crucial in making the correct diagnosis the first time, every time. In some cases the diagnosis may be cut and dry (fluid is burnt, the pump is whining, and the vehicle will not move). In other cases, the diagnosis may not be as easy, or worse; we may “think” or “assume” we already know the problem.

Blame it on the Torque Converter

A 2006 Chrysler 300 AWD came into our shop with a shudder concern. The vehicle was equipped with a 5.7-liter hemi engine coupled with a Mercedes 722.6 transmission, and it had 84,751 miles on the clock. The customer brought it to us for a second opinion. Prior to the visit to our shop, the customer had taken the vehicle to a Chrysler dealer for evaluation. The dealer had diagnosed the problem and determined that a torque-converter replacement was in order.