Transmission went last night

[SHOFan808]

I have a 2014 non PP with just over 39000 miles.  The car is not tracked and majority of the time, it is driven normally with the occasional romping of the go pedal. 

Last night, I noticed after getting into the freeway, that there was some vibration in the steering wheel and the whole car while on the throttle.  The more throttle I gave it, the more the car felt like it was driving on square wheels, especially when on slight bends on the freeway.  After a while, the feeling went away.  My initial thought was that there was something wrong with one of my tires, but after stopping to check them, they were okay.  I continued on my way, but later, noticed the same feeling.  I could feel the vibration in the steering wheel and in the whole car.  Just when I was thinking that for sure, something is not right, I was in another slight bend in the freeway, when the vibration became a quick knocking feeling, again as if I had wheels that weren't round.  Finally I heard what sounded like a couple metal to metal knocks and what I thought felt like one of my wheels about to fall off.  I slowed down and then gave a little more throttle to get to the right shoulder when I noticed the engine revving but the car feeling like it was only partially in gear.  After making it to the right shoulder, I tried to see if I could limp it to the next off ramp, but could see it would not make it.  Being I just passed an on ramp and it was late at night, I threw on my hazards and was able to get the car to reverse up the on ramp in the shoulder.  I had to take it slow though, because if I tried to speed up, the transmission would start to slip out of gear and there would be a whining sound whenever it did that.  I just used slow, minimal throttle to get to the beginning of the on ramp where it was safe and I could get a tow back home.  I was on a slight decline and when I put the car in park without the parking brake, it actually started to coast forward.  I took it into drive and then back into park after I stopped and heard the transmission grind gears for a second, but then it seemed that it was now actually engaged in Park.

After I got towed home, I noticed for the first time that the parking stall I park in seemed to have a little area that looked like fluid had been leaking over a long period of time.  It wasn't really noticeable like how oil would be, which is probably why I never really noticed it when I usually get home and park.  Of course, when I would be home, I would never notice it at all because of the fact my car would be parked there.

I have to wait until tomorrow to get the car to the service department, since it's July 4th (Happy 4th!).  Anyhow, with that all said, does anyone know from experience what this issue sounds like?  I didn't think I would experience it at 39000 miles.  The only mods I have are an Airaid intake, PPE catted downpipes, Corsa exhaust and a Torrie tune.  Again, I don't abuse the car and I keep up with my oil changes and what not.  Being this seems to be a transmission issue, I'm completely lost as this is my first automatic transmission vehicle ever owned.  Does anyone have any similar experiences and does anyone foresee problems from the dealer with getting it covered?  Also, am I going to possibly see this issue in the next 40000 miles or so after getting the repairs done?  Any input would be much appreciated.  Thanks.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[sholxgt]

Does not sound good.  I highly recommend returning it to stock before taking it into the dealer if you want it covered under warranty.

Good luck with the repair!

[SHOdded]

So sorry to hear!  I would suspect the PTU right away, just because the SHO is AWD.  Can you tell what color the leaking fluid is?  Brown or pinkish red or mixed?

[glock-coma]

Have you check the passenger side half shaft for separation? It would cause a lot of the same symptoms.
I know a few here have had it happen

[ZSHO]

DAMn that suck's,probably need to replace the whole PTU unit...no smoke screen of any kind eh ? please follow[ SHOdded signature] by the tee and you will be golden and hopefully the dealer will remedy the issue for ya....best of luck and keep us updated on all fronts.  Z

[SHOFan808]

Thanks for the replies.  Fortunately, my dealer is pretty cool with the mods, however, I will flash the factory tune before it goes back to them.  As far as fluid color, it's really hard to tell because the stall at my place was already a little dirty to begin with.  I checked again today, and actually checked under the engine bay to see if there were any signs of fluid leaking.  I couldn't find any.  At this point, I don't really have the resources to check things on the car on my own, so I'm going to have to depend on the service department.  Interestingly though, wham I heard the metal to metal knocking sound right before the transmission slipped, it sounded like it was coming from the front passenger side of the car.  There are no CEL to suggest anything is wrong.  I'll be sure to let you all know what it was.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[SHOdded]

Good luck!

[glock-coma]

This is from the half shaft recall.

Just the Facts:
Ford is recalling 92,022 vehicles in North America, including the 2013-'14 Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS, Lincoln MKT, Ford Flex and Ford Police Interceptor, for a potential problem with the right-hand half-shaft that could lead to a "loss of drive function," the company said.
Other vehicles included in the recall are the 2012-'14 Ford Edge and 2014 Lincoln MKX.
The vehicles could roll away if the gearshift is placed in Park without the parking brake being activated.

DEARBORN, Michigan — Ford is recalling 92,022 vehicles in North America, including the 2013-'14 Ford Flex, Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS, Lincoln MKT and Ford Police Interceptor, for a potential problem with the right-hand half-shaft that could lead to a "loss of drive function," the company said.

Other vehicles included in the recall are the 2012-'14 Ford Edge and 2014 Lincoln MKX.

The vehicles could roll away if the gearshift is placed in Park without the parking brake being activated.

"The circlip (sic) that retains the right-hand half-shaft to the linkshaft may not have been fully seated during assembly," said Ford in a statement provided to Edmunds on Tuesday. "A half-shaft that is not fully seated may move outward over time.

"If the half-shaft becomes fully disengaged from the linkshaft, vehicles may experience loss of drive function. Additionally, this condition may result in unexpected vehicle movement if the gearshift is placed in Park without the parking brake being activated."

Ford said no accidents or injuries have been linked to the recall.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[AJP turbo]

  The only mods I have are an Airaid intake, PPE catted downpipes, Corsa exhaust and a Torrie tune. 
Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

Failure rate of these trannys and torries tunes are almost non existent from what I've seen if that makes you feel better though.

[SHOFan808]

Yes, thank you.  I do realize that these are no small mods and the biggest difference I felt was from Torrie's tune.  What I meant by saying that is that with those mods, I'm not just running around launching the car and racing around aimlessly, abusing the car.  I also realize that there hasn't been a huge failure rate with other people's SHO's with similar mods, so it was a big surprise for me when this happened last night.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[SHOnUup]

As I've dove into many different corners of the ecoboost world over the last few months...there are a lot more transmission failures than one would think by just reading stories online.

Symptoms point to the half shafts or PTU I'd think though.

Good luck


Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

[SHOFan808]

Thank you all.  In waiting for the tow to get my car to the dealer.  My service advisor said he'll do whatever he can to get it covered under the power train warranty, being I have no extended bumper to bumper warranty.  If for some reason it can't be covered, I may take it to someplace else and see if it's possible to strengthen up the transmission at the same time. 

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[SHOdded]

A TSB already exists (albeit for an older MY Taurus) for PTU replacement.  If it IS the PTU, should have powertrain coverage.

[sholxgt]

And if it's the half shaft, which also sounds likely based on the "square wheel" feeling, there's soon to be a recall for our model years.

[SHOFan808]

When I took it in, my service advisor said he thinks it sounds like the CV joint and front axle.  While it was still up on the tow truck, he looked underneath and showed me the front passenger side CV boot that was torn with fluid coming out.  They weren't able to fully look at it today though because I got there late.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk