1-2 shift grinding status
- Thread starter klystron
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sx sonic
New member
Macehammer
New member
Mine is.
Isambard
New member
Hate to rain on your parade but...
http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6015
This doesn't seem to be widespread though; it's not like every auto owner here is reporting this slipping problem. And the last post suggests that a warranty repair solved the problem.
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dkennedy1989
Member
It was the same way, back when I had owned my Dodge Avenger, it took about 6 months, and at that time I just settled and traded in my avenger to get my sonic, ended up breaking even with the trade and the money I got from lawsuit.
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ftwphoto
Member
So I finally went in for an oil change today and brought up the grinding issue. They looked up their FAQ/Service Advisory system and there was a note regarding grinding 1-2 for sonics. GM's official response (up here in Canada anyways was this)
"Grinding can occur when shifting at higher RPMS or rushing the shift."
Their response was, don't shift that high or that fast. They won't do anything about it, because GM says officially the transmission wasn't designed to shift at fast at high RPMS.
Pretty pissed that they go, "well we made a transmission that doesn't work great up there, so just don't go up there."
"Grinding can occur when shifting at higher RPMS or rushing the shift."
Their response was, don't shift that high or that fast. They won't do anything about it, because GM says officially the transmission wasn't designed to shift at fast at high RPMS.
Pretty pissed that they go, "well we made a transmission that doesn't work great up there, so just don't go up there."
That's bs. Put a rev limited at 5k in first then
I have the opposite problem. Its a bit stiff going 1-2 at low RPM, but I've never had a problem at high RPMs unless I try to double clutch. Apparently the clutch delay valve gets in the way of the double-clutching, and its designed for just a quick single-clutch shift? In any case, I can shift 1-2 right at redline and its smooth as butter. Of course I'm not power-shifting, or slamming it into gear, I feel it out and give the synchro time to work.
ChrisJ
Active member
This is generally how mine feels as well.
Yesterday I shifted at red line and for whatever reason, did something and it worked. As I went to shift into 2nd I let the clutch up a little and it slide right into gear fast and smooth as butter.
In fact it might have been the fastest, smoothest shift I've ever done in the Sonic.
klystron
Banned
Sounds like bullshift to me.
ChrisJ
Active member
Learn to shift into gear at the right rpms and it won't sound like bullshift.
A tranny doesn't even need syncros if you shift it just right. I suspect me letting the clutch up as I went into gear was a habit I learned in the model A and I just didn't realize it at the time.
All I know is it worked.
I asked on my first oil change, same response...
I've learned to work in a short pause between those gears and managed to avoid it most of the time.
joe truck driver
Member
gear grinders
Can’t help but weigh in (80,000 pounds worth). I drive for a living. We float the gears all day long with out using a clutch. The problem with the 1.4 turbo’s is the hang with the engine rpm. The rpms don't reduce fast enough for a fast shift so the trans has to work that much harder to match. If a diesel does this, I call it sucking air(this is when the fuel thins out to much or is be blocked...wax in the fuel filter,really dirty air filter,etc.). same thing happens when a gas engine is running out of fuel. In a truck, you can’t shift until the rpms match your intended gear. Given time, one can shift most of these cars without grinding. It just points out a weak link in the car. Did anybody go to an after market Trans yet? The better question to ask is how can we get the rpm to drop faster. Mechanic I ain’t but… ….Maybe using patience will save some grinding but i agree its a problem that should have a fix.
Can’t help but weigh in (80,000 pounds worth). I drive for a living. We float the gears all day long with out using a clutch. The problem with the 1.4 turbo’s is the hang with the engine rpm. The rpms don't reduce fast enough for a fast shift so the trans has to work that much harder to match. If a diesel does this, I call it sucking air(this is when the fuel thins out to much or is be blocked...wax in the fuel filter,really dirty air filter,etc.). same thing happens when a gas engine is running out of fuel. In a truck, you can’t shift until the rpms match your intended gear. Given time, one can shift most of these cars without grinding. It just points out a weak link in the car. Did anybody go to an after market Trans yet? The better question to ask is how can we get the rpm to drop faster. Mechanic I ain’t but… ….Maybe using patience will save some grinding but i agree its a problem that should have a fix.
klystron
Banned
Good comment, Joe. I honestly have wondered myself if this is the case. Two days ago I grinded three times on the 2-3 shift which has only happened once prior. All three times I was going up hill, shifting around 3000-4000 RPM, and not really in it. However it did seem like the revs stayed up.
Update: I need to call my lawyer. It's been over 3 months and no case filed. Supposedly they are working on it. His point is that there's a statute of limitations on this, but meanwhile I'm stuck with this car. I only have another 1.75 months until I can't file this case, too.
Update: I need to call my lawyer. It's been over 3 months and no case filed. Supposedly they are working on it. His point is that there's a statute of limitations on this, but meanwhile I'm stuck with this car. I only have another 1.75 months until I can't file this case, too.
You all can add mine to the list. I love the car...but I do wish Chevy fixes this...I've been a Honda guy since 1990 and this is the first non-Honda/Acura I've owned since then. If they do right by the owners and fix it I will buy from them again....if they don't my family and I will NEVER buy a car from them again. Lets see if they are concerned about the short term profits or long term sustainability of their company...actions will determine....
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