In D5 in my 03 CL-S from speeds 55 to 70 or 75mph it will shutter, it could almost be described like a bucking action. Past 75 mph it is fine. Going up small hills makes it worse. Shifting to D4 cures it. It has not been cured otherwise by me doing the following:
New tranny (problem was there before it died and still is there)
Wheels balanced- car is smooth as silk at 80 mph.
Wheels checked for roundness and bends, perfect.
New axles
Raised it up to stock height, no better
Dealer said motor mounts are good, were checked when tranny was done.

Any ideas out there?

 

I have never heard this kind of problem before. If your tranny is new my only advice would be to make sure your engine is running on all of it's cylinders?

 

I wanna say it sounds like motor mounts. Take a look at them, especially the front. Look for cracks or fluid leaking out. Does it steer fine when its studdering?

 

I will check them again, thanks! Yeah it steers fine.

 

I am having the same problem only at speed, if you keep the car at 60MPH you feel a slight shutter on when maintaing that speed.. There was a TSB for the 04 + TL's where a damper was installed and problem solved..The TSB explained our problem to a "T".. lemme see if I can find it!

 

5th Gear Vibration or Drone
SYMPTOM
A vibration is felt or a drone is heard when driving in 5th
gear between 50 and 60 mph at about 1500 rpm. The
vibration may be more pronounced while accelerating
up a slight incline.
PROBABLE CAUSE
Engine vibration transfers to the rest of the vehicle.
CORRECTIVE ACTION
Install a dynamic damper onto the bottom of the front
subframe near the rear engine mount.
PARTS INFORMATION
Front Subframe Dynamic Damper Kit (includes
damper, damper mounting bracket, two 8 x 25 mm
bolts, one 10 x 45 mm bolt, and one 10 x 40 mm bolt):
P/N 50207-SEP-305
WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION
In warranty: The normal warranty applies.
Operation Number: 2180A1
Flat Rate Time: 0.4 hour
Failed Part: P/N 50205-SEP-A10
Defect Code: 03214
Symptom Code: 04504
Template ID: 05-017A
Skill Level: Repair Technician
Out of warranty: Any repair performed after warranty
expiration may be eligible for goodwill consideration by
the District Parts and Service Manager or your Zone
Office. You must request consideration, and get a
decision, before starting work.

 

http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SB/B05-017.PDF

http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SB/B05-017.PDF

http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SB/B05-017.PDF

 

This is the exact problem that I am gettin decribed to a "T" 100% my problem.

ChuckCL-S is this exactly what is happeining to your car?

 

That describes it perfectly. I am also thinking that my front mount is shot, therefore the engine vibrations (lugging in 5th at low rpm's) are transferring all over the place. Also, I wish that damper they desribe would apply to us 2nd gen CL guys. Lets keep on this until we find a solution. THANKS

 

Did you recently have your tranny replaced?
The reason I ask is cuz I did and it started happeing after the tranny was replaced so I am thinking when putting everything back together they did not tighten the damper down correctly!

 

This weekend I will be trying a new front motor mount as I have 125K miles on the car and still on the original one, we'll see if that helps.

 

Now I have a new one to add to the failed fix it list....new front motor mount made no difference at all. I'm still glad I replaced it as the mount was shot, damn thing leaked all over the place. Shutter still there.