'82 245 DL, B21F, Auto/OD wagon. Noticing a shudder on take off from stop - especially noticeable if it's a steep uphill incline (feel it throughout car, almost as if you're running over rumble strip in road). Is getting progressively worse. Can stop shudder by lifting off accelerator, starts again when you depress again. Does not seem to be engine issue, car is running well, and quick glance u-joints seem snug, but might need to recheck. Any ideas or similar experience?
Thanks,
Regina

seems to be normal, mine does it, but it only seems to do it when its in a high gear at lower speed, take it out of OD. or for up steep inclines drop it into 2 depending on how slow your going.

It shouldn't be doing this. Unfortunately, there isn't enough info here to decide what's wrong. It could be engine or transmission mounts or the transmission itself. What is the condition of the transmission fluid?

Okay I've stopped laughing at the "Volvo Whisperer" (I can just hear that said in the accent and all...) long enough to reply.

Trans fluid full and in good shape, though I did just buy the gasket/filter kit to replace it since I have no idea when the last time it was changed was, so we can try that this weekend and see if it helps. When I got the car fluid was very low (and tranny slipped) because the car had been sitting abandoned for five years (as the Whisperer would know, a car that's been abandoned may have some issues - we always try discipline before affection). As soon as we topped off the fluid it quit slipping.

Mounts of some sort could make sense. Will have to get under there and look this weekend - any suggestions on what to look for as far as normal vs. abnormal wear (your talking to a rookie here, a willing and enthusiastic rookie, but a rookie just the same)?

I was also wondering about suspension, but the torque rod bushings at least appear tight and there's no slop - at least can't produce any manually.

And KrisVerde, interesting thought, but it is in low when it starts out - this is felt when pulling away from a stop. I haven't noticed it when cruising (even up a hill) in a higher gear - but will experiment with that tomorrow

Thanks for the replies! More questions/suggestions to get to the bottom of this are appreciated!!

im almost thinking you might be experiencing something different, but yes it could be a number of things. wheel bearing perhaps?

check the motor mounts - you should have about 1" between the mount and the oil filter

Glad you appreciated the Cesar Millan spoof. On the mounts, look for tears or cracks in the rubber, especially if they are soaked in oil or ATF. I doubt it's the torque rod bushes. I had a bad one on my 245 and this caused "clunking" on acceleration and braking but didn't cause shuddering.

Thanks All!! We will get under there this weekend and check mounts, bushings, bearings, et al and report back. Appreciate the help (and the humor!)!!

Regina & the Clinkmeister

I got a 82' 244DL with the B21A, anyways I got this same problem and a few things that you may want to look at are.

-The driveshaft center support bearing or the EGR valve. Or any other vacuum leak for that matter. The EGR will connect to the distributor cap for an advance firing on acceleration (I think, because on acceleration the plug has to spark a little earlier than when at a constant speed, correct me if im wrong.) Anyways, if there is a hole in the diaphragm or the hose itself you may get this poor acceleration especially on heavier loads (such as hills.)

Personally I'm a rookie to, so take this advice for what its worth, but those are the next two things to be swapped on my car. Cheers, and good luck!

-Dan

In addition to center support bearing, U-joints, motor mounts, it could also be the dreaded torque converter. I had one go bad and replaced under warranty. It had the same symptoms you're describing. Vibration and shuddering when starting out. I hope it's not the torque converter.

From experience, I'd put my money on the engine mounts and / or radial arm bushes.

Your surname isn't spektor is it?

Stu.

Well, we didn't get the exam done last weekend, and this weekend's schedule isn't looking much better for Clinker tinkering... but now I have more to add to the checklist, so thank you all. I sure hope it's not the "dreaded torque converter" LOL! That doesn't sound good. But I'm still ahead on the car (it was free), and enjoying the heck out of it, so even if we have to sink a bit more into it I'm okay with that.

And no, not a spektor. Sometimes a spectacle though...

Thanks again, and as soon as we get to the bottom of this I'll report back.

Regina
BTW, we live just a few miles from the famous "Brick" Tavern (of "Northern Exposure" Fame). Can't help but think it'd be fun to have a Brick Day at The Brick! :beer:

I figured I should update this post, in case anyone is doing a search for the same issue...

We did finally solve the problem - the culprit was the rear u-joint (there are three).

The shudder had stayed fairly consistent for a while, we checked all things suggested here, changed trans filter/fluid, mounts and everything else looked good. Were fairly stumped. On the return leg of a long road trip the shudder began to get noticeably worse (may have had something to do with the 34 mile off-road excursion in Baja), then became a low, constant howl which got louder and louder. We had changed the rear end fluid in San Diego - got scared we used the wrong stuff or it leaked out?? Stopped to check and that wasn't the case. Then we thought trans...gulp...we were 1000 miles from home in the middle of the Mojave Desert...).

Very long and interesting story of being stranded in Ridgecrest for two and a half days and being taken in by some very kind (but a little crazy) desert folks who found us under the car at NAPA... but that's a whole other story!

Even though we had suspected the u-joint originally, it fooled us because we were used to seeing worn out u-joints having a "clunk" and movement. This one actually "froze up" and caused a wobble in the drive shaft when it was turning at low speed. We did suspect that center bearing at first, but it was okay.

So after a slight delay, we were on the road again, and the rest of the trip was trouble free! Washington to San Diego, and on to Baja, and back again, and lived to tell about it. Even had one stint where we got 28 mpg! Averaged about 24. Needless to say we were thrilled with the performance of our "rescue" (we got the car when it was about to be towed - had been abandoned for five years) and she even turned 200,000 miles on the trip! Maybe stretching her legs was just what she needed - haven't had a lick of trouble since :thumbsup:

Regina and Clink

replace the driveline support hub spring. :57: