Torque converter clutch

DIMITAR STEFANOV GLAVINOV

MEMBER
2006 FORD F-150
5.4L
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
173 MILES

I have a problem with the automatic transmission (at least I think so) of my F150. In October 2018 I bought it. In January of the following year I felt vibrations at low speed when I let the car slow down without applying brakes. This happened in the morning when the car was cold. When it warmed up, everything returned to normal. After the weather warmed up, the vibrations disappeared even when the car was cold. Did it but it's not like last year to disappear when the temperature rises. And the most important thing I noticed ! When I apply 2 to the automatic transmission and release the brake to start the car, a pull is felt, I apply the gas, I start, I leave the car to reduce inertia, the vibrations start to be felt significantly until braking. This is not normal for me. Smoothly as in D, 1 and R

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Just to be clear, you feel a vibration when the vehicle is coasting but it immediately goes away if you step on the brake? If so, I suspect this is the torque converter clutch that is doing this. I would start with checking the fluid and then adding what is called a friction modifier to the transmission. This basically is a fluid conditioner that is meant to "soften" the clutch material so that it slips easier and doesn't chatter which is what is most likely causing the vibration. This video shows how to replace the torque converter

https://youtu.be/ZC7xHVMKLRw

I attached a picture of what this looks like. It is just a 4 ounce bottle that you pour directly into the transmission. It is actually made for rear ends so that when you replace the new clutches in the rear, they don't chatter.

This has worked on many different vehicles but I would only add one bottle. Too much and the clutches can get prematurely fail.

Lastly, just to try and confirm this, can you press the tow/haul button and see if it still does it? This doesn't disengage the torque converter permanently but it does change the engagement points so if it changes this issue then we know we are on the right path.

Thanks

Image (Click to make bigger)