8l90E trans shudder

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

JeffK10America

JeffK10America

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2020
Posts
342
Reaction score
764
Location
Easley sc
First Name
Jeff
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
Not square related I know , but could be. Anyone know if a trans flush, and filter change has been successful !
In fixing this issue ?
2021 Silverado 60,000 miles just started .
 
I

idahovette

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2016
Posts
7,361
Reaction score
16,115
Location
Weiser Idaho
First Name
Perry
Truck Year
1975-1979
Truck Model
K20-K10
Engine Size
350
Not sure about yours, but my 2017 Colorado started with the shudder and according to GM I needed to change the Transmission fluid and install Mobil 1 LV BLUE LABEL......has to be the Blue label. So, I did and the shudder is gone. Drained it 3 times, made easier by me installing a drain plug in the pan. Just my 2 pennies......YMMV...........and mine was at the 90,000 mark
 
Last edited:
Grit dog

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
7,105
Reaction score
12,517
Location
Auburn, Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986, 1977
Truck Model
K20, C10
Engine Size
454, 350
Good luck, man. Hope a service fixes it. There’s reason they didn’t offer them for long. I didn’t know they kept them that long.
My 16 Silverado had a tq converter shudder since new.
Most pronounced under heavy load from a stop. Typical dealer bs, cannot replicate.
Lasted a little over 60k and then just cut loose 1 day. Full service a few thousand miles before the failure.
The bigger failure was the dealer who had the truck for almost 3 months, 2 failed repair attempts that they tried to pass off as fixed and it wouldn’t leave the parking lot lol. Then they finally put a new trans in it.
 
JeffK10America

JeffK10America

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2020
Posts
342
Reaction score
764
Location
Easley sc
First Name
Jeff
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
idahovette said:
Not sure about yours, but my 2017 Colorado started with the shudder and according to GM I needed to change the Transmission fluid and install Mobil 1 LV BLUE LABEL......has to be the Blue label. So, I did and the shudder is gone. Drained it 3 times, made easier by me installing a drain plug in the pan. Just my 2 pennies......YMMV...........and mine was at the 90,000 mark
Click to expand...
Ye I appreciate the info , I have heard or read several posts on different forums. From flushing to draining. I am kinda like you just change it a couple times with a new filter. Ye I've got a 21 Silverado at work with 42,000 that's started doing the same thing .
 
JeffK10America

JeffK10America

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2020
Posts
342
Reaction score
764
Location
Easley sc
First Name
Jeff
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
Grit dog said:
Good luck, man. Hope a service fixes it. There’s reason they didn’t offer them for long. I didn’t know they kept them that long.
My 16 Silverado had a tq converter shudder since new.
Most pronounced under heavy load from a stop. Typical dealer bs, cannot replicate.
Lasted a little over 60k and then just cut loose 1 day. Full service a few thousand miles before the failure.
The bigger failure was the dealer who had the truck for almost 3 months, 2 failed repair attempts that they tried to pass off as fixed and it wouldn’t leave the parking lot lol. Then they finally put a new trans in it.
Click to expand...
Yep I heard that , it never gets dogged out or pulls anything real heavy, I hope the service wich he told me today at 48,000 so I heard another was 50,000 , either way 3 speeds were fine , none of this , also told me they have a additive.. plus go with the mobile 1
So will see what's what . Thanks for the input !
 
TotalyHucked

TotalyHucked

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2020
Posts
3,791
Reaction score
12,271
Location
Auburn, Georgia
First Name
Zach
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
Sierra 1500
Engine Size
5.3
Unfortunately the 8L is known for failures. My buddy's '16 Denali, he went through 3 8L's and converters before he got tired of it and traded it off. His little brother's '17 6.2/8L90 started shuddering at ~70k miles. He did the service/fresh fluid/additives and that bandaided it for ~5k miles before it came back. Then he changed the internal harness and a couple solenoids I think, made it better for a little while but eventually the torque converter off'd itself. The torque converter seems to be the common denominator in all the 8L failures that I've seen.
 
R

ray230

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2022
Posts
1
Reaction score
1
Location
IL
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
86
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
5.3
I have a 16 Denali 6.2 with the 8L. Bought in 18 with 2000 miles. Shudder started at about 15k. Went through reprogramming and fluid changes without success. Dealer then put in a new converter and so far 65k and the issue has not returned.

I do still have the "slam" shift from a stop or reverse occasionally, which does still make me nervous though.
 
JeffK10America

JeffK10America

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2020
Posts
342
Reaction score
764
Location
Easley sc
First Name
Jeff
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
To many variables to achieve success . I sure hope I can get a fluid change , and not have to replace torque converter. Seems to be the common cause , so far from everything I've researched.
 
NickTransmissions

NickTransmissions

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2023
Posts
451
Reaction score
927
Location
Las Vegas
First Name
Nick
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
R10
Engine Size
350
JeffK10America said:
Not square related I know , but could be. Anyone know if a trans flush, and filter change has been successful !
In fixing this issue ?
2021 Silverado 60,000 miles just started .
Click to expand...
You swapped an 8L90 into a Squarebody truck? If so, good on you for doing it! Would be curious how you went about it (complete engine/harness/PCM/trans swap, all factory from a wrecked Silverado or something similar?

As for the shudder symptom, I am in agreement with @TotalyHucked in that it's likely converter...Fluid flush with new fluid is also said to dramatically reduce the shudder and slippage these things are known for...Many class action lawsuits have been filed against GM on these converters so if you decide to replace yours, I'd get an upgraded one from Florida Torque Converters, Circle D Specialties, Yank or any other reputable torque converter manufacturer.
 
JeffK10America

JeffK10America

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2020
Posts
342
Reaction score
764
Location
Easley sc
First Name
Jeff
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
NickTransmissions said:
You swapped an 8L90 into a Squarebody truck? If so, good on you for doing it! Would be curious how you went about it (complete engine/harness/PCM/trans swap, all factory from a wrecked Silverado or something similar?

As for the shudder symptom, I am in agreement with @TotalyHucked in that it's likely converter...Fluid flush with new fluid is also said to dramatically reduce the shudder and slippage these things are known for...Many class action lawsuits have been filed against GM on these converters so if you decide to replace yours, I'd get an upgraded one from Florida Torque Converters, Circle D Specialties, Yank or any other reputable torque converter manufacturer.
Click to expand...
No I didn't swap anything into a square, since there are more knowledgeable people on this sight , such as yourself for doing trans work. I just reached out here , seem to get more input on this sight on alot of issues. I've been looking at torque converters from different sites Incase . And I appreciate the insight on different vendors. Would you use a stock stall converter? I figured I would.seems like GM dropped the ball on this issue 10 speeds I've not heard anything or researched them at all . Thanks nicks transmissions for the info.
 
JeffK10America

JeffK10America

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2020
Posts
342
Reaction score
764
Location
Easley sc
First Name
Jeff
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
Well 61,000 miles when I flushed the trans , with mobile 1 synthetic LV ATF HP . Flushed with equal amounts 1 gallon out .. one gallon in . Until 3 gallons went thru , flushed until clean fluid was coming out . I heard some people saying drive 200 miles until shudder goes away , mine was immediately gone . Let truck idle for 10 minutes, cycled trans between drive and reverse. So just throwing this out there , hope it helps someone. No filter change , will next time . Around another 20,000 hopefully!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_5786.jpeg
    IMG_5786.jpeg
    139.5 KB · Views: 12
  • IMG_5784.jpeg
    IMG_5784.jpeg
    148 KB · Views: 13
  • IMG_5785.jpeg
    IMG_5785.jpeg
    150.4 KB · Views: 15
  • IMG_5795.png
    IMG_5795.png
    313.6 KB · Views: 12
I

idahovette

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2016
Posts
7,361
Reaction score
16,115
Location
Weiser Idaho
First Name
Perry
Truck Year
1975-1979
Truck Model
K20-K10
Engine Size
350
@JeffK10America ^^^^^Had the same problem with my 17 Colorado.....shudder. Pulled the pan to drain and installed a drain plug and put it back together. Drained and added 2 more times, helped a bunch , even after just the first drain. Made it easier, with the plug, to continue maintenance. And yes, Mobile specifically BLUE LABEL!!!
 
JeffK10America

JeffK10America

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2020
Posts
342
Reaction score
764
Location
Easley sc
First Name
Jeff
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
idahovette said:
@JeffK10America ^^^^^Had the same problem with my 17 Colorado.....shudder. Pulled the pan to drain and installed a drain plug and put it back together. Drained and added 2 more times, helped a bunch , even after just the first drain. Made it easier, with the plug, to continue maintenance. And yes, Mobile specifically BLUE LABEL!!!
Click to expand...
Drain plug is a great idea , and I've thought on doing that as well , when I pull the pan .
 
I

idahovette

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2016
Posts
7,361
Reaction score
16,115
Location
Weiser Idaho
First Name
Perry
Truck Year
1975-1979
Truck Model
K20-K10
Engine Size
350
Got a pack of 5 o2 bungs from Autozone and a pack of 4? plugs, there too. The right size hole saw and my 110 volt Century and done! Just make sure you put the drain in the right spot!!!....lol
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

496bb
aux trans cooler question
Replies
2
Views
317
fast 99
fast 99
KevinP
Rochester Quadrajet Woes
2 3
Replies
41
Views
2K
JBswth
J
B
Check out my rear end
2
Replies
23
Views
2K
BRetty
BRetty
F
Dual fuel tanks and valves
2
Replies
17
Views
2K
Doppleganger
Doppleganger
Jacksonrobinson
Column Gear Shift Detent
2
Replies
22
Views
2K
Scott91370
Scott91370

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
44,424
Posts
957,555
Members
36,777
Latest member
paulteigrob
Top