What Transmission Do I Have?
While it was introduced at the height of the retro craze, the FJ wasn’t just a cynical marketing/design exercise. It had the off-road chops to match its looks. However, Toyota FJ Cruiser shudder on takeoff can be quite alarming when you are driving in the real world. So let’s have a look and see what’s causing the A750F transmission shudder.
What causes Toyota FJ Cruiser vibration when accelerating?
This unsettling vibration will usually happen between 32 – 42 mph between the 2nd-to-3rd shift. Under hard acceleration, the problem usually goes away. It will also stop if you shift out of Drive and into S or 4. But the problem hasn’t actually gone away, the torque converter has just stopped operating according to the ‘Flex Lockup’ program.
Although Toyota FJ Cruiser transmission problems are pretty rare, this one can affect a lot of owners. And there’s actually two potential causes. The first is old or dirty/thin Toyota WS transmission fluid that’s keeping the torque converter clutch from applying smoothly during Flex Lockup (a transmission operating program that runs when the shifter is in the Drive position). If you neglect to service your transmission and keep driving with this problem, the torque converter clutch will prematurely fail and you can cause severe damage to the valve body as well. To learn more about automatic transmission fluid, click here.
If your transmission fluid still looks good, yet you have this problem, the A750F torque converter clutch still may have failed. If this is the case, it will need to be replaced. The valve body will also need to be checked is see if there’s any damage to the TCC control valve sleeve and/or the secondary regulator. The valve body can be repaired in some cases. However, it’s expensive and this repair will reduce the service life of this part.
How much is it going to cost to fix my Toyota FJ Cruiser transmission?
Unfortunately, the problem described here will require the removal and disassembly/partial disassembly of your transmission. Given the labor time involved to remove the transmission from the vehicle (this is not a simple task), most repair shops will recommend that you go ahead and rebuild the entire transmission while it’s out. Since they already have to tear it down to replace the torque converter clutch and valve body, it sort of makes sense to spend the extra money to do that. After all, you should get a lot more mileage out of your transmission once it’s rebuilt. And since they’ve already got the transmission apart, might as well, right?
Things to consider with a transmission rebuild
You’re the test driver – Most transmission repair shops and mechanics will only put a few miles on your vehicle to make sure the transmission works. But it’s not uncommon to experience transmission problems during the break-in period.
Everything might not be fixed – Most mechanics and transmission repair centers don’t have the equipment necessary to perform a thorough inspection on hard parts like gear sets, clutch drums and valve bodies. This means that your rebuilt transmission could actually have small cracks in key parts that aren’t visible to the naked eye. As time and mileage progress, these cracks can grow and create an even larger problem. Similarly, a slight warp in the valve body can seriously impact shifting performance over time.
Warranty – Although most mechanic shops and transmission repair shops will warranty their work. That coverage is usually only good at the shop or franchise that did the work. If you travel out of town and suddenly experience transmission problems, you’ll be on the hook for any transmission repairs unless you pay to have your vehicle towed back to the shop that did the work.
Quality – Nearly every time you get a transmission rebuild, all of the work is performed by a single technician. This may or may not be a good thing, depending on your point of view. But the end result is dependent on that technician’s level of experience working with your specific type of transmission. In addition, there is usually no standardized quality control checks at a mechanic shop. So an improperly torqued bolt or gasket that isn’t fully seated, might be overlooked and cause you major problems in the future.
Is a transmission rebuild worth it?
If you plan to keep your vehicle for as long as possible, then getting a transmission rebuild is certainly a viable option. However, a remanufactured transmission is a much better alternative. You’re getting as close to a brand-new transmission as it is possible. Companies like Street Smart Transmission also modify the transmission to correct all of the factory design flaws, allowing you to get a much longer service life from the transmission. You also get a 3-year/unlimited mile nationwide warranty, which allows you to get necessary repairs performed at any licensed repair shop of the country. So in terms of value for the money, a reman transmission might be the better way to go.