Cause of the Silverado Shudder

This bulletin applies to 2015-2018 Chevy Silverado trucks equipped with an automatic transmission. Some customers may comment on a surging condition that is felt when driving. During diagnosis, the technician may determine this as a torque converter shudder. This condition may be caused by additives in the transmission fluid that may have depleted during vehicle operation. Some of these additives assist with regulating a consistent slip rate of the clutches.

Raise the vehicle and remove the transmission pan. If metallic debris is found, remove the transmission and replace the torque converter and filter. 

If metallic debris is not present, replace the transmission filter, reinstall the pan and perform a transmission fluid exchange (using DT-52263 Transmission Fluid Exchange Kit. Remove cooler lines and install the DT-52263-1 Block Assembly. Place a drain hose into the GE-47716-2 Graduated Bucket.

Lower the vehicle and add 6 quarts of DEX6 transmission fluid through the transmission dipstick tube. Start the engine and run 4 quarts into the graduated bucket, then shut the engine off. Add 4 quarts of DEX6 through the dipstick tube. Start the engine and run 4 quarts of fluid into the graduated bucket again, and shut the engine off (dump fluid out of the bucket as necessary).

Add 4 quarts of DEX6 through the dipstick tube. Raise the vehicle, remove the block assembly and reinstall the cooler lines. Lower the vehicle and add the correct amount of DEX6 (approximately 4 quarts) to the system.