QX4-Transmission Thud between 1st-2nd

[jamescflowe]

My beloved 2003 QX4 has a slight thud when shifting from 1st to 2nd. It's had it since I bought it several years ago with 66k miles. It doesn't do it always, but seems to do it more in cold weather. It doesn't flare or slip, just kinda jerks a little. I don't think it's getting worse, but I'm noticing more being that it's December. I did have the dealer drain/fill the ATF at 90k miles but it still does this. Passengers don't notice, but I do and it bugs me. All other gears shift flawlessly and smoothly.

Does anyone know what would cause this? Maybe a solenoid?

I'm having the oil changed this week at the dealer and am considering mentioning it, but I don't want to end up with a massive repair bill.

Thanks for the help!

-Chad

[AZhitman]

Almost wondering if it might be something after the trans... Driveshaft u-joint, or maybe a diff mount?

[Towncivilian]

I hear/feel a thud once in a while but it's not very frequent. I haven't looked into it.

Changing the fluid is a good idea regardless.

I second the suggestion to inspect U-joint(s); the driveshaft carrier bushing should also be inspected. Also grease the rear driveshaft if it hasn't been done yet - it should be done every oil change.

[Randy K]

My 2002 does it also and has for as long as I've owned the truck. It's not so much of a thud in mine as much as it feels like I have a shift kit in it. Just a hard shift. I've taken it to 2 different transmission shops and both told me it was a known issue with the computer that controls the trans. Bear in mind both were wanting me to spend money with them, so that could have been complete bs.

[jamescflowe]

Yea, it's a hard shift - that may be a better way to describe it.

[Towncivilian]

If it's a hard shift, it's nothing to worry about. The hard shift between 1 and 2 and sometimes a slow/lazy shift between 2 and 3 is characteristic of our RE4R01A transmission. Your 2003 should not have any shift flare, that was corrected with the 2002 model year IIRC.