After I had my third transmission put in (Acura defect issue), I noticed some shudder on acceleration between 20-25mph, and most noticeably between 48 and 55mph. Since I have a long commute in heavier traffic, it is very noticeable, and the car is no longer a joy to drive.

I just replaced all 4 tires, with balancing of course. No vibration at speed from imbalance, just the acceleration issue. Just got off the rack with an alignment at the dealership. Tire wear has been consistent. There is no ticking or noise on turning either way, at low or high speeds. CV boots are intact.

I've noticed a few other things that might frame the issue...these have been occuring since the tranny change:

- When accelerating over a short hill on back roads, and the car experiences negative Gs and lifts a bit (no dukes of hazard here, of course), the shudder changes a bit and seems to come from the left front.

- When turning right (left wheel outside), there is a shudder that increases with turning speed (again, acclerating only, not coasting).

- When accelerating quickly from start and getting up to highway speed (on ramp), the shudder is more acute, at a higher frequency - like an oscillating 'bumping' (can't seem to frame the sensation)...almost like over-tightening a front wheel stud bolt on your bicycle and the wheel seems to spin less freely, and the bearings seem to bind a bit due to the excessive torque on the axle bolts. The faster the acceleration, the more this is felt.

I've gone the route suggested by the dealership...2 re-balances, 4 new tires, alignment, road test with 4 different wheels/tires. Oh, and the hydraulic engine mount was replaced with the tranny a few months back...they said it was leaking (the vibration does not occur when sitting still and revving the engine...)

I really think that it has to do with the fully tranny replacement...and the vibration is coming either from the CV joint/axle shaft on the left side (somewhere in the drivetrain). After all this information, what I'm trying to do is narrow the cause down to an improper tranny install.

Is there a possibility that removing/re-installing the drive shafts, lower control arm and other items associated with a front wheel drive tranny replacement...that an improper 'alignment' or mating of parts would lead to this issue?

The dealership will be swapping out the axles tomorrow to test at no cost. I am concerned that they will come back and tell me I have to buy a new axle(s) at a crazy part and labor cost....while the car has not been driven crazy, in an accident, or through a pothole.

Any thoughts??

 

I am not sure exactly, but you might want to check your wheel bearings. From what you explained, the noice is more pronounced when the car is in motion.

 

I may not know much but what about the motor mounts????

 

I had your same problem. Tires, balancing, alignments, motor mounts - nothing solved it. Finally, they replaced the transmission due to "internal failure" and it's all gone.

 

i had the same problem with the shuddering. ball acura (san diego) refused to replace the transmission, saying they experienced the shuddering ONCE, but couldnt recreate it. 3 days later, drove the car from san diego to las vegas, transmission died in the middle of the desert, WITH my 6 month pregnant wife in the car. towed car to acura of las vegas on saturday evening. luckily, i was able to hitch a ride back to san diego with a friend that happened to be in LV at the same time. tranny was replaced by thursday. bought plane tickets to las vegas (covered by ball acura) acura of las vegas made me pay for the diagnostic on on obviously failed tranny. paid the diagnostic. raised hell with acura client services (they eventually covered towing, lodging, and diagnostic fees). drove down the road to towbin infiniti after we picked up the TL and traded it for an 05 g35 sedan and drove home to sd in that.

i had been a loyal honda/acura owner up until then.

 

I would tend to agree with this as well. This can cause the same issue as you are saying (I had the exact same issue, 8 1/2 month pregnant wife in the car with me at the time (no way I was going to take a chance), I went in to get the tranny checked out, turned out to be the motor mounts driver's side and front mounts needed to be replaced, no issues now.

 

When I took mine in for the shudder, they found the side and front motor mounts were broken. However, when they replaced them the shudder persisted - and so they replaced the transmission.

 

Your CV joints are worn.

 

That would cause popping and clicking. His sounds like transmission or motor mounts.

 

It would click and pop if the outer CV joints are worn. When inner joint are worn, than it would vibrate only when there is a load, ie going uphill or acceleration.

 

I had the same load-based vibration and it was my transmission.

 

Towbin is NOTORIOUS for being shady. I live in Michigan, never been out west except Utah (if you can even count that as out west) and I know about Towbin. I'd rather take my chances with this transmission than buying a car from and getting it serviced at Towbin. *shudder*

 

good thing i live in sd and get it serviced over here. =)

 

Indeed.