Auto Trans "Popping" when shift to 3rd

[DiamondB]

I've read several of the other threads that discuss transmissions popping, but none have really addressed this problem.

04' F350 SRW 4x4, 78,000 miles, No Mods, Automatic Trans: Every time during the sequence of shifting through the gears while accelerating, there is a small "popping" or "thunk" noise exactly when it shifts to 3rd gear (2WD - I haven't tried it in 4WD). Most of the time I can feel a small "bump" in the drivers side floorboard (which is apparently unnoticiable on the passenger side - says my wife). This only occurs while going into 3rd gear (no other gears), and occurs whether I manually move the shifter through the gears, or the Trans does it on it's own. The only time it's NOT that noticable is if your really "gettin in it", then it doesn't seem to make that noise, or maybe it's just not that noticable. I've checked the crossmember/brace and all seems to be tight. It's puzzling because it's only that gear, under almost all circumstances. Do you think this thing's about to go? Thanks in advance for your help.

[DiamondB]

I guess I left out the " it's a 6.0 PSD" part.

Thx.

[DiamondB]

Still looking for help. I described the problem at a local Tranny shop today and the mechanic there suggested it may be a diode or solinoid, and followed up by letting me know it shouldn't be more than $2500 or so to rebuild it! It's still running fine, just the popping while going to third. However, after I left the Tranny shop it only did it 50% of the times going to third.

Anyone......... ????? Help.......????????

[036pointoh]

Not 100% but I have heard of the torqshift tranny doing this in lots of trucks. I have the same problem when coming to a slow roll I hear a thud. Im pretty sure that its not a messed up tranny of anything just a glitch that the transmissions have. Also guys are hearing this from a slow creep and in reverse backing up a about 50 feet. Any one else know anything?

[2005F250]

When you find out the problem let me know. I'm another one with problems.

[KCS250]

Mine does something like this. There is a TSB out on this is not a problem. Might want to read it and see what you think.
6.0 PowerStroke bulletins

[2005F250]

Originally Posted by KCS250

Mine does something like this. There is a TSB out on this is not a problem. Might want to read it and see what you think.
6.0 PowerStroke bulletins

That TSB is BS. Just because Ford can't fix the problem doesn't mean they can say its normal.

[mrnecsteve]

An canned reply from the transmission shop, huh ? (2500 to rebuild).....what ever happened to "diagnosing a problem"??? So very often its a $20-$30 part thats easily accessable that's causing the symptom.
Although it makes itself apparent under this specific situation only, it would not be a wasted effort to pull the driveshaft and check the U joints carefully for play.
Myself, I would consider having one IN HAND ,and maybe replacing the one closest to the transmission,even if it doesnt appear to need it. (depends on how adventurous you are)Check the new one when buying,to be sure it has a grease fitting. Then ,clean the old one ,grease it and keep it around as an "on the road spare". Got extra cash? Pickup two.
Myself,I would also consider primering and painting the driveshaft while I had it off...nothing fancy,just steel wool,a light coat of primer and cheap paint to resist rust and mud from sticking and throwing it off balance.

You may ask...why would it show up while going to third? Well this may be difficult to understand....on our particular tranny ,first and second are ultra low ratios,third returns to a more normal progression.Under light acceleration ,it is far more likely that torque "unloading " occurs briefly during the 2-3 upshift,then reloads harder than with other gears.As the ujoints progressivly wear the ujoint play will become more noticeable in the driveshaft....especially in the driveshaft . As ujoint manufactureres save about 10 cents per ujoint by eliminating the grease fittings,we cant easily keep fresh grease in them anylonger.
As an example,In an explorer i had,which also has a mild "factory lift" ,the ujoint had to be replaced at 50,000. (the symptom there was "vibration during coast") The ujoints were dry inside.
To prevent trannie fluid from gushing out when you pull the yoke ,safely lift the tail of the truck up about a foot AND then clean the yoke before you put it back in.Dont forget that you have NO "park" function with the driveshaft removed. Chock that truck!
My 07 does not have that sypmtom with 6000 miles on it...i surely anticipate that it will ..eventually.
ps. to install ujoint caps..a huge iorn c-clamp does the trick.To remove without damaging,a brass rod and hammer is required..for the low cost ,you might decide to
just chuck 'em.If you do find that this cures the symptom......do not chuck the old ujoints thru the trannie shops window...that would be illegal !

[2005F250]

Yea well they have never told me whats wrong with my tranny. Rather the put new parts in and see if it's fixed or they rebuild or replace my tranny. On 2nd new one thats been rebuilt within 46k miles and it goes back in on monday do to a surging problem.

[2005F250]

Here's a link to prove my tranny problem. This happens about 2-3 times a week.
YouTube - tow haul flash