Shudder gearbox? issue at 1600rpm

[myafricandream Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close myafricandream]

Hi all

Prado 150 D4D 2014 with 230k km on the clock.
When at exactly 1600rpm at about 80km/h it feels like I am going over rumble strips, the car has a shudder. Assume transmission but not sure. Especially if going up incline/hill. Doesn't happen at 1600rpm at 40km/h for example, or faster than 80km/h.

Please advise what I'm in for

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

Don't really know but I recall that early on there were issues with the rear driveshaft. Perhaps start with very thorough greasing or all of the joints before you start spending money. Good luck.

[ptommo59 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ptommo59]

Plenty of info online on Drive line shudder which are mainly associated with the Auto Trans and/or Drive Shaft (but those revs and speed seem suspiciously like its when the Torque Converter Clutch is engaging).

If it is the Trans Torque Converter Clutch you wont get it when the engine temps are below I think 55 - 60 degrees as the lockup is inhibited when the engine and trans are warming up. So maybe recheck if it occurs on a cold start and if only after the engine is warmed up then you may have a start point to work from (can be as simple as you need to top up or replace your ATF, to a partial or full rebuild of the torque converter or gearbox. As it could be issues with the related solenoids/oil pressure and/or worn clutch pack.

If you have recently done a suspension upgrade and it started after this then there is also the possibility that the drive shaft geometry has been unbalanced and you can get harmonics produced at certain revs that feel like shudder and go away as speed increases or reduces (had this happen on my 2012 Hilux when I got a GVM Upgrade which included a 2in lift and I had to shim the diff to reduce the input shaft angle on the drive shaft to reduce the effect which was only occurring between 40 and 50 km/h), luckily this is not temperature dependent so if your issue is not occurring when cold would rule this out.

Hope this gives you a couple of ideas to work with to at least isolate where it is coming from.

[myafricandream Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close myafricandream]

Thanks Tomo, Pug, I'm going to start with the obvious and check ATF level, grease,, and get Toyota to check the Torque Converter Clutch.
No suspension upgrades.
Appreciate the time and advice

[Alextynan Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Alextynan]

Hi mate, I've got a similar problem to you I think. did you find out what was causing this?

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

When was the transsmision fluid last changed?

[myafricandream Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close myafricandream]

I had Toyota do a full ATF flush and refill. It seemed to make a slight difference for a couple days, but the problem is back with a vengeance. No solution I am afraid.