Automatic Transmission - Problems or questions
Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 163
Likes: 10
From: MD
Since the problem was intermittent I did not notice it driving back from shop but will test it out more this week. The transmission does seem to shifting better and cleaner. It's a huge difference when fluid are changed on a vehicle! ;-)
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 343
Likes: 26
From: Illinois
Keep us updated please!I managed a Trans shop for a while. I didnt rebuild them but learned a lot. All these sealed/ lifetime fluid is BS! Nothing is lifetime, and no such thing as a non serviceable trans. Not saying that in your situation, just thinking out loud.
Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 163
Likes: 10
From: MD
Problem still exists as when SUV downshifts and tries to upshift you get this huge "CLUNK-like" sounds from underneath the car. It's not the clunk because I had dealer replace the axle and I've had dealer and local shop lube the heck out of the joints. I'm thinking it's in the transmission. May take it to a few local transmission places to have it looked at. Any ideas fellas?
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: GA
I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to let everyone know of a shudder problem I had with our 2008 GX470. It is like what has been described by others. Feels a bit like driving over the ripple strips on the road.
Just wanted to say that I had the transmission fluid drained, refilled, then brought up to temperature and then drained and refilled again. Initially, the shop said that this didn't fix the problem. I was not going to replace the transmission, so I brought it home. It did it once but has basically stopped. After reading another blog, I went ahead and had them add the Shutterfix additive in a red tube. I think I bought it at Auto Zone or Advance auto parts. I believe it is only 2 ozs. Others said that this additive helped theirs. I put it in as a precautionary measure. Hope this helps some others with similar problems.
Just wanted to say that I had the transmission fluid drained, refilled, then brought up to temperature and then drained and refilled again. Initially, the shop said that this didn't fix the problem. I was not going to replace the transmission, so I brought it home. It did it once but has basically stopped. After reading another blog, I went ahead and had them add the Shutterfix additive in a red tube. I think I bought it at Auto Zone or Advance auto parts. I believe it is only 2 ozs. Others said that this additive helped theirs. I put it in as a precautionary measure. Hope this helps some others with similar problems.
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 239
Likes: 4
From: CT
Any Update
Any update on your issue???
I am getting that too i had shudder 2 years a go and replaced the trans fluid which fixed the issue. Now when traveling on highway at 70 plus when i get my foot of accelerator till its time for a downshift and then foot on the accelerator to speed up it makes a thud and jolts a little and then gear engages. But if i move the lever to 4 manually then no issues... lost
175 K on my 08. Looks like time to sell.
I am getting that too i had shudder 2 years a go and replaced the trans fluid which fixed the issue. Now when traveling on highway at 70 plus when i get my foot of accelerator till its time for a downshift and then foot on the accelerator to speed up it makes a thud and jolts a little and then gear engages. But if i move the lever to 4 manually then no issues... lost
175 K on my 08. Looks like time to sell.
Lead Lap
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,645
Likes: 813
From: NC
Have you had your driveshaft replaced? Normally you'd get a "clunk" when coming to a stop, but I had the case were I was getting a clunk during shifts because the center spline joint had developed so much slop in it.
There is a TSB on it, which will help your dealer diagnose the problem (but isn't a recall or warranty extension). Cost was around $700 for parts + labor.
Chip H.
There is a TSB on it, which will help your dealer diagnose the problem (but isn't a recall or warranty extension). Cost was around $700 for parts + labor.
Chip H.
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 239
Likes: 4
From: CT
Thanks Chip.
No the drive shaft has not been replaced. I will get it checked by my independent mechanic first as can't stomach the dealer cost right now... had to ask a question as i on on Canadian Road trip as of now and getting it frequently.... Hopefully I will make it home safely from Montreal tomorrow and will get it checked ASAP.
No the drive shaft has not been replaced. I will get it checked by my independent mechanic first as can't stomach the dealer cost right now... had to ask a question as i on on Canadian Road trip as of now and getting it frequently.... Hopefully I will make it home safely from Montreal tomorrow and will get it checked ASAP.
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 239
Likes: 4
From: CT
Update:
Went to my mechanic. He drove it and said to take it to transmission specialist. Looks like the transmission needs to be replaced... So next step is to take it to transmission shop and have them diagnose it thoroughly.. I am wondering if there are any transmission issue codes i can read via OBD but check engine light is not ON...
Went to my mechanic. He drove it and said to take it to transmission specialist. Looks like the transmission needs to be replaced... So next step is to take it to transmission shop and have them diagnose it thoroughly.. I am wondering if there are any transmission issue codes i can read via OBD but check engine light is not ON...
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Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 239
Likes: 4
From: CT
Update
Went to the transmission specialist, he said its not the transmission. After test driving, he said car is bucking due to some engine issue possibly a misfire or a vacuum leak.
Mechanic checked out and test drove. He couldn't find anything and there were no codes which were stored and his big scanner didn't show anything on the live data analysis either.
I had him do the transmission fluid flush and used 6 quarts before the fluid became clear.
So issue is still there and i am waiting for CEL to be lit and i can read a code.
Mechanic checked out and test drove. He couldn't find anything and there were no codes which were stored and his big scanner didn't show anything on the live data analysis either.
I had him do the transmission fluid flush and used 6 quarts before the fluid became clear.
So issue is still there and i am waiting for CEL to be lit and i can read a code.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: MD
Transmission Shudders
Thank you all. I thought I was the only one. I have an 09 GX470 that shutters between 35-45mph. Very frustrating. My first real problem. Initially the dealer could not duplicate the problem. Then I asked to ride with them to point out the problem. I was told by the dealer that the transmission was going bad. I didn't believe them. I will try having the fluid replaced and adding the additive to start.
Last edited by MsKatrina; Jan 24, 2019 at 09:26 PM.
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 239
Likes: 4
From: CT
Here is more info on this thread
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...ed-advice.html
BTW i had that issue once and it came back and i just got rid of it 2 weeks a go.
Hope it helps
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...ed-advice.html
BTW i had that issue once and it came back and i just got rid of it 2 weeks a go.
Hope it helps
Pit Crew
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 249
Likes: 44
From: IL
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 239
Likes: 4
From: CT
So to me when someone says about any car (Toyota/Lexus) that it can run forever... I have my doubts.
Anyways going for 2014 LX with 21K miles hopefully I will not have to spend crazy money on maintenance and it’s transmission won’t crap out.... 😐
Last edited by sheikhmax; Feb 4, 2019 at 04:35 AM.