Although this truck is well known for its at durability and owner loyalty, it’s not uncommon to experience Toyota Tundra vibration when accelerating. While A750F transmission problems are pretty unusual, this one can severely impact drivability. So let’s dive in and see if we can’t figure out one of the most common Toyota Tundra transmission problems.
What Transmission Do I Have?
What causes Toyota Tundra shudder on take off?
Toyota Tundra transmission shudder typically occurs between 32 – 42 mph. It’ll usually happen between the 2-3 shift, but it won’t happen under hard acceleration. Putting the shifter in the ‘S’ or ‘4’ position also seems to prevent the problem.
This A750F transmission shudder comes from the torque converter and is usually caused by one of two problems. The first of these Tundra transmission problems is pretty simple; your transmission fluid is either too old or too dirty/thin to work effectively. This will prevent the torque converter clutch from being able to apply smoothly during ‘Flex Lockup’. If this is the problem, continuing to drive your truck with this problem will result in premature failure of the torque converter clutch, along with severe damage to the valve body. To learn more about automatic transmission fluid, click here.
If torque converter failure is the cause, then it will obviously have to be replaced. However, the valve body will also need to be carefully inspected to see if there’s any damage to the TCC control valve sleeve and/or secondary regulator. Any sort of scoring inside of these bores will result in further TCC apply problems. In some cases, your A750F valve body can be repaired. But it is a costly job and long-term reliability is not guaranteed.
How much is it going to cost to fix my Toyota Tundra 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.
What Transmission Do I Have?
