Random rough ride
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
Random rough ride
I have a 2017 f150 super cab, 3.5L non turbo, 4x4. 130,000 miles.
I'm feeling a rough ride intermittently. It feels almost like when driving over those stay awake grooves on the highway, but not nearly as severe. At first I thought it was just rough roads, ripples in the blacktop, but it happens much more often now.
It only happens when I give it slight acceleration, speeds of 30 mph or so and up, most noticeably at highway speeds. Going down hill with no acceleration, it doesn’t happen at all, nice and smooth. It will stop if I give a lot of acceleration, like going up a hill.
when I first noticed it wasn’t the road, I thought it might be a loose front wheel. I can feel it in the steering wheel.
Has anybody been through this? Or have recommendations what I should be checking?
I'm feeling a rough ride intermittently. It feels almost like when driving over those stay awake grooves on the highway, but not nearly as severe. At first I thought it was just rough roads, ripples in the blacktop, but it happens much more often now.
It only happens when I give it slight acceleration, speeds of 30 mph or so and up, most noticeably at highway speeds. Going down hill with no acceleration, it doesn’t happen at all, nice and smooth. It will stop if I give a lot of acceleration, like going up a hill.
when I first noticed it wasn’t the road, I thought it might be a loose front wheel. I can feel it in the steering wheel.
Has anybody been through this? Or have recommendations what I should be checking?
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 271
Likes: 92
From: West Virginia
As noted in the other thread, your symptoms suggest torque converter shudder. Based on this forum, it seems to be somewhat common in high mileage 6R-80 transmissions that have never had a fluid change. First step would be a transmission fluid drain and fill. Many folks will also add a tube of Lubegard instand shudder fixx.
You could also take it to a competent tech who can use FORSCAN to monitor torque converter lockup. This would confirm whether it is or isn't torque converter shudder. Might save you from changing the fluid unnecessarily, but of course the the diagnostic work would cost you something.
If it is torque converter shudder and the fluid change doesn't fix it, then things get expensive (new torque converter).
You could also take it to a competent tech who can use FORSCAN to monitor torque converter lockup. This would confirm whether it is or isn't torque converter shudder. Might save you from changing the fluid unnecessarily, but of course the the diagnostic work would cost you something.
If it is torque converter shudder and the fluid change doesn't fix it, then things get expensive (new torque converter).
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 434
Likes: 169
I had similar issues (stumble under load. Did the tranny service (needed it anyway). Then I took it out on the road and punched it. Petal to floor and I got a flashing check engine light (tell-tale for cylinder misfires) and engine stumble/loss of power. Codes for random and cylinder 3 misfires. Replaced the spark plugs (original with 117k miles on them) and the coil packs..Road tested it and all is good. It drives like a rocket ship again. I also had an bank oxygen sensor go bad on one side years ago. That caused the same performance symptoms with misfires on the same side all 3 cylinders). Replaced the sensor and it ran good for another 60k miles before the latest issue.