i have an '88 N/A GXL Automatic and everytime it shifts into second the whole car rattles and shakes. I think maybe the torque converter could be bad, i'm not sure, any suggestions?

 

check 2 c if u-joint is loose!!

 

if it were a loose U-joint then why would it only do it in 2nd gear?

 

c'mon! does anybody in this club know about auto's?! i don't have the time or money for a 5 speed swap, if i could i so would.

 

the drive shaft is spinning at a higher speed in the other gears.

I don't think it would be the clutches because they usually just make it slip and then finally catch. Unless your car was already doing that and now it is doing this too.

The tranny could just be gunked up, changing the tranny fluid might not be a bad idea, or maybe a flush.


I have never personally seen a torque converter go bad

 

alright i'll try checkin the driveshaft next time i'm at work and maybe do a free tranny flush while i'm at it

 

what you are describing is a coming problem in ford and Mazda its called torque converter shutter ,
its caused from not changing the tyranny fluid at 30.000 miles and doing what the owners manual says like every 60,000 and better
there is a real quick fix
1st change the fluid and install mercon v
then go to your local ford dealer and get a bottle of part number XL3
this is friction modifier CAUTION DO NOT GET THIS ON ANY THING YOU WONT TWO KEEP it smells BAD !!
add this 3or4 oz bottle to the new fluid change it takes about 500 miles to work
but it is well worth it .
XL3 = 6.00
mercon v about 4.00 a quart
let me know how it turns out

 

and if all the above post doesnt work then by lack of fluid changes the drum has a glaze on it. What icausey suggested should fix it though. Good luck hope you dont need a rebuild.

 

awesome, thx guys, i actually flushed it 2,000 miles ago and boy was it dirty. i'll try that fluid and pray that works

 

so i got that xl3 and you were right, it staannk, lol. Worked well though, i noticed a difference the minute i put it in, the shudders starting to fade away. Thanks for the help, that **** was driving me nuts!

 

e

 

check transmission mounts

 

Alright so its been about 3 months since i put that fluid in and i noticed the shudder came back, so i put 2 more bottles of friction modifier in it about a week ago. This time the shudder isn't going away so i'm thinking about ordering a new torque convertor because i still lack the money to fork out a 5-speed swap...

any suggestions?

 

bump.

 

SeeInstallp. The brace/mount will dry up and break away over time with the result being a significant vibration.

 

Also,See if there is a way to check the bolts on the Flexplate,torque converter.I am not sure about Automatic Transmissions on the FC,but there "should be" a Hole(like an inspection hole) that you may be able to Peep into..
I would also check the Engine mounts,Transmission mounts,U joints,and Differential Mounts.