Transmission is done. What's the next step.

[5.0]

So 3 months outside of warranty I have developed the notorious transmission failure on my 2012 1.4T @ 70500km. I have a whine that is speed dependent (almost like a bad power steering pump)along with movement in the gear stick sometimes. I'm taking it to the dealer in hopes they will help out since it's only 3 month past.

If they don't help out what would be the better option? Order a new unit or rebuild the old one if parts are even available for it? Typically its a failure of the output bearing if I'm not mistaken?

 

[Papasonic]

Sorry to hear of your trans issue. I cringe every time a new post appears regarding the manual trans. I have a 2012 1.4 manual LTZ too, but so far it has not developed this problem. Mine has 45,000 miles or 72,500 Km.

I try not to put undue stress on the trans when driving; I don't put it in too high a gear ratio unless it will easily pull it. I often use 5th gear if there are any hills or wind. I've found 6th gear to be best used at expressway speeds. My theory is keep the revs up and don't lug the power train components. If the vehicle won't accelerate easily, I'm in too high a gear. I believe that this takes some torque loading off of the bearings in the trans and may prolong its life.

 

[5.0]

Sorry to hear of your trans issue. I cringe every time a new post appears regarding the manual trans. I have a 2012 1.4 manual LTZ too, but so far it has not developed this problem. Mine has 45,000 miles or 72,500 Km.

I try not to put undue stress on the trans when driving; I don't put it in too high a gear ratio unless it will easily pull it. I often use 5th gear if there are any hills or wind. I've found 6th gear to be best used at expressway speeds. My theory is keep the revs up and don't lug the power train components. If the vehicle won't accelerate easily, I'm in too high a gear. I believe that this takes some torque loading off of the bearings in the trans and may prolong its life.

I'm the same way. I babied the thing it's whole life. Made sure not to shift to early. And it still failed. And I'm completely stock. No extra power or anything. All I know is I'm going to be pretty disappointed if they don't step up and help me out.

GM parts house lists the whole unit at $1600x20% exchange x 13%HST. Ill' be looking at $2170 just for the part. And probably 8 hours labour @ $80 per hour.

 

[mja]

Yikes 5.0, no way I'd pay 2,200$ for a stock M32. Does GM offer some type of serious warranty on the new trans if installed at dealer? Problem is even a new one might crap out again in 50-80k miles at stock power levels. The 2013+ transmissions are better and will be the type that GM ships out if you go that route.

Car-part.com has low mileage 2013+ M32's for 300-700$ as an alternative. There's a few in my area with <30k miles for 350-450$. That'd set you back total 1000-1200$ installed vs. 3,000$ for the new trans. Stock dual mass flywheel might still be able to be used, but you'll need a new clutch & slave. The 2013+ upgraded GM clutch can handle some power. This is my plan when my current M32 bites the dust soon. I'll keep the old one around to do a stock rebuild, learn the ins & outs of the M32 before modifying one in the future. There are plenty of companies that offer M32 rebuild kits if you want to do this, check around Ebay UK and find someone willing to ship to US. I'm sure all the bearings, shims, gears, etc can be ordered from the US but it'd take some research & digging since no one offers rebuild kits here yet.

M32 transaxle (Getrag F28/F26) is a little heavier at 90-100 lbs than something like a lightweight Borg Warner T5, but doesn't look like a difficult swap. A small harbor freight trans jack will have no problem with this install. Could save $ by doing it yourself if you have the time.

 

[5.0]

Yikes 5.0, no way I'd pay 2,200$ for a stock M32. Does GM offer some type of serious warranty on the new trans if installed at dealer? Problem is even a new one might crap out again in 50-80k miles at stock power levels. The 2013+ transmissions are better and will be the type that GM ships out if you go that route.

Car-part.com has low mileage 2013+ M32's for 300-700$ as an alternative. There's a few in my area with <30k miles for 350-450$. That'd set you back total 1000-1200$ installed vs. 3,000$ for the new trans. Stock dual mass flywheel might still be able to be used, but you'll need a new clutch & slave. The 2013+ upgraded GM clutch can handle some power. This is my plan when my current M32 bites the dust soon. I'll keep the old one around to do a stock rebuild, learn the ins & outs of the M32 before modifying one in the future. There are plenty of companies that offer M32 rebuild kits if you want to do this, check around Ebay UK and find someone willing to ship to US. I'm sure all the bearings, shims, gears, etc can be ordered from the US but it'd take some research & digging since no one offers rebuild kits here yet.

M32 transaxle (Getrag F28/F26) is a little heavier at 90-100 lbs than something like a lightweight Borg Warner T5, but doesn't look like a difficult swap. A small harbor freight trans jack will have no problem with this install. Could save $ by doing it yourself if you have the time.

I'm not paying for a new unit. I would buy a used 2013+ gearbox with the redesigned endcase and have it installed. Or I was already looking at the rebuild kits and have found one from www.rmbearings.co.uk. So that is another avenue I may pursue.

I have the know-how to do the install unfortunately I work 3 jobs and don't have the time. And being my first front wheel drive trans I wouldn't exactly be efficient at it.

Looks like it's going to work like this:

Plan A: See if GM will diagnose and help with the cost of repairs. However since its out of warranty, I'm fairly sure they will play dumb and pull the old "cannot recreate condition" game.

Plan B: I found a local rebuild shop that has great reviews. So see if he will install a bearing kit for a reasonable cost.

Plan C: Source a 2013+ low mileage unit and have it installed. Look like the closest decent unit is in Philly according to carpart.com

 

[Papasonic]

Or a "Plan D" --- Where you trade the vehicle for another!

 

[5.0]

Or a "Plan D" --- Where you trade the vehicle for another!

Funny you mention that cause I was looking at getting a truck and keeping the sonic. But now this happened. I could get a new Sierra and let Chevy have their lemon back on a trade in lol.


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[5.0]

Well I think I'm going truck shopping tomorrow. See what they'll give me on a trade in and what kind of deal on a new truck.

This whole thing is rather depressing. And not from a financial aspect. I can afford the repair. The problem is I LIKE this little car. I don't want to get rid of it. And I took damn good care of it. Mobil 1 every 5000km, Amsoil synthetic trans fluid, oil sprayed every year, never beat on it. But the unknown long term quality is really getting to me. I can't be doing a trans every 70,000km.

Well see what happens. If they give me the trade in value I want there's a good chance the car will be gone by the end of the week.

 

[mja]

Good luck with it whichever way you go, I hear ya about the working hours. Sierra's are nice trucks. Check out the diesel Canyon too.

 

[5.0]

Good luck with it whichever way you go, I hear ya about the working hours. Sierra's are nice trucks. Check out the diesel Canyon too.

The diesel canyon has rave reviews. Everyone seems to love the thing. Plus 30+mpg highway.

Not mention a rough country lift really sets it off

 

[Papasonic]

Funny you mention that cause I was looking at getting a truck and keeping the sonic. But now this happened. I could get a new Sierra and let Chevy have their lemon back on a trade in lol.


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Looks like I started something by suggesting trading. I really like my Sonic and I too take care of it; fortunately mine doesn't have any problems yet; if it needed a major repair, it would be gone; even though I have the tools, equipment, facilities and ability to do repairs, I now lack the ambition. :blankface:

 

[mja]

lol ya 5.0 I wouldnt mind a trade for the Sonic on that

Check out what Isuzu is offering for the same platform, 'Momo' diesel edition, guys overseas can buy this thing off the showroom floor. Im sure some parts interchange opcorn:

 

[mja]

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Looks like I started something by suggesting trading. I really like my Sonic and I too take care of it; fortunately mine doesn't have any problems yet; if it needed a major repair, it would be gone; even though I have the tools, equipment, facilities and ability to do repairs, I now lack the ambition. :blankface:

I don't agree Papa, more than lacking ambition you know when repairs & mods outweigh ownership cost. It'll take some of us *cough me* decades to get that. If I wasn't so dumb Im sure Id have more badass vehicles. Still love the Sonic, mpg + performance + price. I've been eyeing the old Isuzu pup in my garage thinking about a 6.0/t56 transplant, but have learned better

 

[5.0]

So the dealer offered me $6000 on the trade in. Not bad but I'm going to push for $6500. Going back this afternoon to negotiate a price on the truck.

 

[5.0]

And in case anyone is curious to what the transmission sounds like, here's a video. Kind of hard to hear but it's there. That high speed oscillating noise. You can hear it more the last 30 seconds of the video down in the footwell.

https://youtu.be/tWL-8BV40ac

 

[mja]

That trade in price is really good for a 2012 with a transmission on the blink

 

[5.0]

That trade in price is really good for a 2012 with a transmission on the blink

They don't know about it. Technically it's not actually "shot" yet.

Having a hard time meeting on a price for the truck. So far I'm down to 37,500 out the door on a 2018 Sierra. Elevation package. Spray on liner. Trailer package. 4x4. 5.3L. Runner boards. Base trim tho. I would like see it more at 35000.


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[Papasonic]

They don't know about it. Technically it's not actually "shot" yet.

Having a hard time meeting on a price for the truck. So far I'm down to 37,500 out the door on a 2018 Sierra. Elevation package. Spray on liner. Trailer package. 4x4. 5.3L. Runner boards. Base trim tho. I would like see it more at 35000.


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The price differential is the cost of the transmission repair.

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[5.0]

That trade in price is really good for a 2012 with a transmission on the blink

It may seem good but we also pay more for cars up here than you guys in the US. When the sonic first came out the MSRP was $3000 more up here. Actually we pay more for everything.

For example, I just spec'd the same truck on the US website:
In canada- elevation package $3200
In US- elevation package $1900

Canada- trailering package $810
US- trailering package $395

Gasoline $2.60gal vs $4.40gal. Luckily I live 10 minutes from the border so I plan to fill up in the US.

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The price differential is the cost of the transmission repair.

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Lol that's true




Heading to a different dealership tomorrow to see if they'll play ball. If I can get it to 35,000 all in I'll be happy.

 

[mja]

Huh, learn somethin new every day. I didn't realize the markup was that high there.

It's good you're buying a new 5.3. The AFM lifters tend to fail around 80-140k miles. A lot of guys will swap to regular lifters with the AFM delete + tune. I think the newer model AFM's fare better.