is this shaking normal?

[maliciousa]

I just got a 97 Camry V6 with 130k. I've noticed that when I am decelerating, I sometimes feel the front end bump or shake very briefly when I hit 15-20mph. I've also noticed about a 500 RPM jump that coincides with the bump. I assume this means it has something to do with the transmission.

The tranny fluid is brand new and is at the proper level. I've noticed that some of the newer Camry's have similar issues but this is just how they were designed. Is this normal for a 97?

MORE OBSERVATIONS: The car only does this with overdrive enabled and after hitting the 4th gear. the steering wheel doesn't shake so i don't think it's anything with the wheels.

[zythr]

On some cars you can feel the torque converter clutch locking and unlocking. I'm not sure if this is happening in your situation.

[fenixus]

sounds like transmission problem, maybe some dirt in it or overfilled?

most likely it's the overdrive gear slipping. I had similar problem on '92 Buick Lesabre. After making fluid HOT on long highway drives it would jerk (or jolt forward) on deceleration like pulling to the stop sign.

For peace of mind I would drain it, drop the pan and replace the strainer, then put back together (or let shop do it if you don't feel like torquing precisely 17 pan bolts and 3 strainer bolts) and refill with at least synthetic blend fluid like Castrol IMV or even better get Valvoline Maxlife ATF (full synthetic IIRC).

you could also flush it via cooler line or let the shop perform power flush, note they will use the cheapest Dexron-III fluid (dino) though.

[pmx007PL]

It can be engine mounts (or engine subframe mounts), not problem with A/T.
I have the same behaviour in my gen 3 (replace of oil and filter improved nothing).

Look at this old review.

You Tube

You Tube

At about 4:20 dude said that change of gears is almost unnoticeable when you operate throttle gently (if not, you will feel gear changes). So it's normal (result of A/T construction).

[Ahil]

Originally Posted by pmx007PL

Look at this old review.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGHK3IWZa80
At about 4:20 dude said that change of gears is almost unnoticeable when you operate throttle gently (if not, you will feel gear changes). So it's normal (result of A/T construction).

Thats for acceleration, the symptoms OP is describing is somewhat different. Since his sounds like the cogs downshifting during deceleration (which you ideally should not feel with an automatic car in "D"). It seems like something to do with the torque converter.

When has the car last had its transmission fluid flushed?
When you say it happens during deceleration, does it happen during braking?