Does your transmission clunk?

[freewayman]

Just wanted to get a feel for how many of us have 10R80s that are clunky..

Occasionally I'll get a clunk when giving it some throttle after I slow down a bit and the transmission hasn't downshifted yet (think giving it throttle when you are in 7th gear at 1000rpm). Other times I'll get a clunk coming to a stop (i.e. driving in the city). But that's about it. Most daily driving is fairly smooth and can't really feel the shifts.

 

[Escape Hatch]

I did then had the transmission go through relearn process at dealer and it has been perfect since.

 

[pittman]

Mine behaves very similarly. It's been getting better with time though. From what I've read it's pretty common.

 

[Huntinraider]

Yes, I absolutely hate this transmission. Ford should have stuck with the ZF’s. Mine feels like it’s slipping and clunking if that makes you feel better.

I had a 2011 Silverado, drove 1 year, complete POS. That transmission clunk is the only vehicle I have been in with a worse transmission. Ford deciding to do a JV with GM is the absolute worst decision they have made, well in an F150.

 

[sean80]

Mine clunks. It’s been into dealer multiple times and re-flashed, it will be good for a couple days and then revert to clunking. I keep being told that it’s normal. Curious to see how these do when they start getting high mileage.

 

[CMar]

Mine is PERFECT when towing. 2300 miles towing and it's been flawless. Normal mode ... feels like the trans is going to drop out of the truck. Bringing it back to the dealer next week. It's already had the relearn performed. Initially it was better, but started acting back up within 100 miles. Not cool!

 

[sean80]

Mine is PERFECT when towing. 2300 miles towing and it's been flawless. Normal mode ... feels like the trans is going to drop out of the truck. Bringing it back to the dealer next week. It's already had the relearn performed. Initially it was better, but started acting back up within 100 miles. Not cool!

Absolutely. It should be notes that it only happens in normal mode. No issues when in tow/haul or sport mode.

 

[g9Tremor]

Absolutely. It should be notes that it only happens in normal mode. No issues when in tow/haul or sport mode.

Happens in ECO mode also

 

[CMar]

Eco mode here as well. Have not tried to see if it also occurs in sport mode yet.

 

[freewayman]

Agree with all the comments above, in sport mode I never ever get any clunks.

 

[CMar]

Has anyone had the TSB services (adaptive relearn, then valve body cleaning, and finally drum replacement if the first two fail to cure the problem) performed and all is now well?
I'm sure I'm preaching to choir here, but the trans issue is a real deal breaker on an otherwise perfect truck.

 

[pittman]

I think that the clunks are likely normal behaviour unfortunately - at least in Normal mode. The fact that they are completely resolved in sport mode suggests to me that tuning could remedy the situation.

Also interesting note, my truck seems to clunk less for a good while after driving in sport mode for a few days. No idea why.

I have read on other f150 forums that folks have noticed improvements with after market tunes, as well as doing the transmission re-learn process in sport mode. Food for thought.

 

[freewayman]

I think that the clunks are likely normal behaviour unfortunately - at least in Normal mode. The fact that they are completely resolved in sport mode suggests to me that tuning could remedy the situation.

Also interesting note, my truck seems to clunk less for a good while after driving in sport mode for a few days. No idea why.

I have read on other f150 forums that folks have noticed improvements with after market tunes, as well as doing the transmission re-learn process in sport mode. Food for thought.

Only thing I would be worried about tuning is that they might disable or screw with the adaptive tables. Whether or not we like it, the adaptive tables do compensate for clutch wear and fluid degradation (it's not just learning driver inputs). I would rather not risk it, not to mention possibly screwing with warranty and the fact that the 2023 PCMs haven't been cracked yet, to my knowledge. So that would involve swapping for a 22 PCM which I'm guessing would cost more than the tune itself.

 

[Fozzy]

I can make a 10R80 clunk on demand. When the driver can’t decide what to do it seems the transmission is a few seconds behind the driver and clunks or slams gears. I have learned to drive around it and get a good learning program. To me the transmission likes to be driven like the EcoBoost. You Boost up to speed, then Eco down the road. When you are bouncing between the two it struggles. I think that’s why SPORT mode has less clunking. In sport mode you naturally drive more aggressively and the motor and transmission like it. I thought I would have trouble with it and the 37’s. It’s been rock solid. I have had 3 vehicles with it and it is far superior than the old 6 speed even with its faults. Handles high heat and towing so much better. I would alway have to add external coolers towing in 110+ temps in Nevada and Arizona. Not with the 10R80, it’s just as cool as can be. Handles larger tires with ease. I know Ford just redesigned the inner basket to help one of the mechanical problems.

 

[freewayman]

I can make a 10R80 clunk on demand. When the driver can’t decide what to do it seems the transmission is a few seconds behind the driver and clunks or slams gears. I have learned to drive around it and get a good learning program. To me the transmission likes to be driven like the EcoBoost. You Boost up to speed, then Eco down the road. When you are bouncing between the two it struggles. I think that’s why SPORT mode has less clunking. In sport mode you naturally drive more aggressively and the motor and transmission like it. I thought I would have trouble with it and the 37’s. It’s been rock solid. I have had 3 vehicles with it and it is far superior than the old 6 speed even with its faults. Handles high heat and towing so much better. I would alway have to add external coolers towing in 110+ temps in Nevada and Arizona. Not with the 10R80, it’s just as cool as can be. Handles larger tires with ease. I know Ford just redesigned the inner basket to help one of the mechanical problems.

It is a very good transmission aside from the clunks in normal. I think a lot of the 23+ 10R80 (after revised CDF drum) issues just come down with the driver not being in sync with how the transmission wants you to drive.

 

[texrex11]

I can make a 10R80 clunk on demand. When the driver can’t decide what to do it seems the transmission is a few seconds behind the driver and clunks or slams gears. I have learned to drive around it and get a good learning program. To me the transmission likes to be driven like the EcoBoost. You Boost up to speed, then Eco down the road. When you are bouncing between the two it struggles. I think that’s why SPORT mode has less clunking. In sport mode you naturally drive more aggressively and the motor and transmission like it. I thought I would have trouble with it and the 37’s. It’s been rock solid. I have had 3 vehicles with it and it is far superior than the old 6 speed even with its faults. Handles high heat and towing so much better. I would alway have to add external coolers towing in 110+ temps in Nevada and Arizona. Not with the 10R80, it’s just as cool as can be. Handles larger tires with ease. I know Ford just redesigned the inner basket to help one of the mechanical problems.

You have the 5.0?

 

[Fozzy]

You have the 5.0?

3.5 EB

 

[CMar]

3.5 EB

Odd request, but can you record your clunk? Mine feels like a clunk at times, but feels like the trans wants to drop at other times. Just want to see if I'm feeling what others are describing as a clunk.

 

[schlotzj]

Do you know when they started using the redesigned CDF drum (i.e build date)? Is there another way of knowing if your transmission has the updated drum?

 

[Fozzy]

Odd request, but can you record your clunk? Mine feels like a clunk at times, but feels like the trans wants to drop at other times. Just want to see if I'm feeling what others are describing as a clunk.

I will try and remember to do it. But there is two different clunks. The standard clunk, usually when it drops a gear too many. Happens the most below 45. I have had the OMG my transmission is coming apart clunk at higher speeds coming out of overdrive (8,9,10). This one is a little harder to get to happen and I don’t really want it to happen. But it seems like cruising at a freeway speed and you decide to pass someone and roll into the throttle and decide you need to hammer down. It drops from 10 to 5 and hits the revlimiter then shifts back to 7th and it’s very violent. My 19’ Expedition would do this a lot. I actually took it to the dealership about this clunk. I had leveled it with 35’s and never did the relearn. Took it to the dealer and they checked everything out and said it was good. They tried to recalibrate the speedometer , they said that would help. But they said they could not go that big on tire size. Then they started the learn prosses over and it wasn’t as bad after that. My Tremor has yet to do it, but like I said I have learned to drive without making it happen and my shift patters are pretty firm. My speedometer is dead on as well. I was able to do it in ForScan.