Fixes for the downshift clunk and hard shift
#1
Fixes for the downshift clunk and hard shift
I have a 2012 SCREW 4x4, and I have both the downshift clunk when coming to a stop and the hard shift from 1st to 2nd. The downshift clunk almost feels like it pushes the truck forward when I've almost stopped, and the display will show it going from 3rd to 1st gear.
The hard shift from 1st to 2nd is worse when the tranny is cold, and gets better once it warms up. But, going to the grocery store or the gas station, the thing never warms up in time and jerks me around.
I have had it to one dealer, who reflashed it, and seemed to fix the problem for about 100 miles, and then it did the same things again. I took it back, and they told me that the hard shift and the clunk were "normal". I took it to another dealer, who felt all the problems, and said no, that is definitely not normal, and replaced some lead carrier/bracket thing in the tranny. the hard shift is a little better, but still noticible (even to passengers riding in my truck), and the downshift clunk is still there.
Before I bring this back to the dealer, has anyone found any solutions to these problems or found any dealer fixes. I have 10,000 miles on te truck right now, and have a Suburban with 90,000 that shifts better....
thanks in advance.
The hard shift from 1st to 2nd is worse when the tranny is cold, and gets better once it warms up. But, going to the grocery store or the gas station, the thing never warms up in time and jerks me around.
I have had it to one dealer, who reflashed it, and seemed to fix the problem for about 100 miles, and then it did the same things again. I took it back, and they told me that the hard shift and the clunk were "normal". I took it to another dealer, who felt all the problems, and said no, that is definitely not normal, and replaced some lead carrier/bracket thing in the tranny. the hard shift is a little better, but still noticible (even to passengers riding in my truck), and the downshift clunk is still there.
Before I bring this back to the dealer, has anyone found any solutions to these problems or found any dealer fixes. I have 10,000 miles on te truck right now, and have a Suburban with 90,000 that shifts better....
thanks in advance.
#3
Senior Member
These transmissions apparently learn how to shift. Are you a frequent hard accelerator? If so it might do a harder shift than you think necessary because it is better for the transmission that way; when you accelerate more moderately it may still shift that way.
If not then there should be a TSB for this as it as been mentioned quite often on this forum.
If not then there should be a TSB for this as it as been mentioned quite often on this forum.
#4
Senior Member
These transmissions apparently learn how to shift. Are you a frequent hard accelerator? If so it might do a harder shift than you think necessary because it is better for the transmission that way; when you accelerate more moderately it may still shift that way.
If not then there should be a TSB for this as it as been mentioned quite often on this forum.
If not then there should be a TSB for this as it as been mentioned quite often on this forum.
#5
These transmissions apparently learn how to shift. Are you a frequent hard accelerator? If so it might do a harder shift than you think necessary because it is better for the transmission that way; when you accelerate more moderately it may still shift that way.
If not then there should be a TSB for this as it as been mentioned quite often on this forum.
If not then there should be a TSB for this as it as been mentioned quite often on this forum.
I searched a lot of the key words for my problems, and I have read about a lot of people complaining about it and getting the reflash or TSB, but beyond that, I haven't found a solution mentioned here for the problems I have been having. hopefully there is one out there, and I just missed it.
#6
Senior Member
In regards to the clunk coming to a stop; there is a TSB for this, ignore it, Ford's service to this problem is a joke.
Purchase some high temp. grease, I found Motorcraft brand at Advance Auto. Remove the drive shaft and generously lube the splines.
Reinstall and enjoy, mine has been fixed for about 5,000 miles so far. Ford's fix is a couple drops of ATF fluid onto the drive shaft splines, did not work for me.
Harsh shifting? Buy a tuner. Sorry, but that's the best solution.
Purchase some high temp. grease, I found Motorcraft brand at Advance Auto. Remove the drive shaft and generously lube the splines.
Reinstall and enjoy, mine has been fixed for about 5,000 miles so far. Ford's fix is a couple drops of ATF fluid onto the drive shaft splines, did not work for me.
Harsh shifting? Buy a tuner. Sorry, but that's the best solution.
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#8
Senior Member
Lol i get a clunk from the rear end over speed bumps mind u they have replaced my rear diff twice im assuming it wasn't installed properly i guess this is the down fall to revamping your truck design there is kinks to be worked out all the chev guys that say only ford lol ... Only ford cuz only ford has revamped their design lol just wait till chev makes some changes there will be kinks
#9
I had a reflash done a few months ago. It helped...
My truck is a Screw 5.5box. 1 pc aluminum drive shaft.
I removed the driveshaft, cleaned it really good with brake clean, lots of black sticky crap in there. I run my fingers along the splines on the driveshaft... felt a few rough spots.
Using a small file I filed between each spline just a bit and cleaned it out REALLY good with brake clean.
Dunked the spline end of the driveshaft in ATF and reinstalled.
Drain the transfer case and refill with a good ATF.
Clunk has been 100% gone since!! and it was driving me nuts!
The harsh shift is "normal" to me now, but the stop start clunk was awful, sometimes feeling like the truck was rearended.
Good luck
My truck is a Screw 5.5box. 1 pc aluminum drive shaft.
I removed the driveshaft, cleaned it really good with brake clean, lots of black sticky crap in there. I run my fingers along the splines on the driveshaft... felt a few rough spots.
Using a small file I filed between each spline just a bit and cleaned it out REALLY good with brake clean.
Dunked the spline end of the driveshaft in ATF and reinstalled.
Drain the transfer case and refill with a good ATF.
Clunk has been 100% gone since!! and it was driving me nuts!
The harsh shift is "normal" to me now, but the stop start clunk was awful, sometimes feeling like the truck was rearended.
Good luck
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Wilks54 (04-11-2013)
#10
For the hard shift try driving it for a week or 2 under fast acceleration. I did this in mine and the truck doesn't have the hard shift anymore. Even while driving under normal acceleration now.