I own a bone stock Wrangler Unlimited with an automatic transmission. The other day while backing my watercraft up the driveway I noticed that my jeep was shuttering like crazy. It really felt like being in 4 wheel drive an turning to lock while driving slow. Anyone else have this problem?

My jeep performs flawlessly in every other situation...BTW - I was not in 4 wheel drive when I put the watercraft away and my driveway is about twice as steep as most standard driveways.

Thanks in advance for your support and cooperation.

Regards,

S65

 

Not sure what it is, but mine (is an auto also) does the same thing when I am backing up my driveway with my trailer attached. I also have a steep driveway. The trailer weighs approx. 1,300 lbs.

I know this does not help, but would love to know what it is....

 

My Auto does the same when backing up a hill!

 

That sounds like a problem with a transmission band slippage. In reverse the band must lock the clutch drum in order for he planetary gear system to operate properly. This used to be a problem with Chryslers way back when I was in college for transmissions. Reverse on there designs are very weak. If it were a clutch problem then 1st gear would have the same problem. You will only notice it when lugging a heavy load in reverse.

 

Thank you all for the responses/explination.

Regards,
S65

 

Just wondering if there is a tsb or anything on the transmission. I just purchased an 08 4 door and backing up a steep driveway without a trailer cause mine to shutter. Just wondering if I need to bring this up to dealer?

 

I've brought mine to 2 different dealers for this problems and gotten all kinds of answers (but no solutions). They both told me that all the Wranglers do this and it is "normal." One told me that Jeep is aware of the "problem" and is working on a tsb. This dealer said that the 4-dr autos do this but that the 2-drs do not. But the same dealer contradicted themselves by telling me that they are supposed to do this and that it increases torque for off-road situations (what a line of bs - I'd hate to be backing up on a tight trial with a cliff on one side and have to deal with this rather pronounced studder). I'm not sure what to believe except that no other vehicle that I've backed up my driveway has done this. It's pretty annoying when you're trying to precisely place your Jeep while backing up. I've even had this happen backing up and hitting resistance (a root). Someone on jeepforum said that their dealer did an old tsb flash on the trans (even though theirs was a later build) and it fixed the problem. One of my dealers claims to have done the flash on mine, though to no effect. If anyone has any news on this I'm all ears!

 

just thought i would let you know it happens to the 2dr models too. I was reversing uphill and the whole car started to shake very weird i'll have to bring it up with my dealer soon.

 

+1 , sometimes backing up just a slight incline.

 

My wife's does this but while going forward...at low/moderate speeds (about 25 - 35mph) Haven't noticed it while in reverse...

Any ideas?