i took my zr1 to the dealership today.
i know most didnt like it but i trust the mechanic.

anyways my vacum problem was simple, the vacum line was disconnected from the throttle body, now the engine throws no codes.

everything else is solid, but my tranny does have a spun out bearing, and that has been the reason for my noise i have been hearing.

the dealership quoted me 700-800 dollars
6 to 7 hours of labor for the job, as i take the transmission has tobe taken off the motor.

does this sound right?

any ideas of getting it done cheaper?
and besides the noise will this have any ill effects on the tranny?

opinions from people who have had this issue with their tranny is appreciated

thanks

 

i don't know if the transmission in the ZR1 is "special" but if it costs $700-$800 to replace a bearing, you would be better off either having the transmission replaced or entirely rebuilt for a little bit more money - then all the parts are new/reman. as opposed to just the bearing they will be replacing.

i got quoted $1465 for a replacement including labor to remove the old one and install the new one (xtreme motorsports recommended this place to me, so i hope - for their sake - this is a trustworthy rebuild! as if it's not, you can bet i'll be voicing my opinion to EVERYBODY on here

bowtie overdrives sells rebuilds for just over $1000 - but there is a guy on here who says to stay away from BTO - but also there is a guy on here that is very satisfied with his BTO transmission.

 

no its not special its just the zf6spd in all 89 and up vettes

my question is with this bearing out, what the chances of it getting lose and causing more problems?would you chance it?
would you just fix the bearing at the dealership?
would you rebuild or put a whole new tranny in since its going tobe off?

opinions needed

 

What noise have you been hearing?
<quote>
A bad input bearing in the transmission will normally produce a whirling or whining sound proportional in pitch to engine revs. In 1st gear the whine is most prominent decreasing in intensity in each subsequent gear to the quietest level being 4th gear (direct drive energy flow).

The ZF main bearings are self-contained non-preload non-tapered double-row type bearings. One row is comprised of cylindrical type bearings and the other row is comprised of ball type bearings. This type of bearing would be more similar to the type of bearings used in turbine engines.
If it sounds like a diesel engine at idle, the flywheel dual mass damper may be failing. What I've seen happen before is that when a flywheel is determined to be bad, some people choose to replace it with a less expensive single mass type flywheel where they can buy the flywheel, pressure plate with throw-out bearing and clutch disc for $800 instead of $750 for OEM flywheel and $300 for the clutch kit.
If it is more of a whining or whirling sound, the input bearing has been compromised. This results from the alignment of the transmission during reinstallation is off slightly where the trans, bell housing butt up to the block. I've never heard of a ZF S6-40 main bearing going bad on it's own. FYI, I've rebuilt 125 of these units and have at least 7K hours of experience with the ZF S6-40 design.
<end quote>

This will help you understand what you're hearing (websitewhere I got the quote):

http://www.zfdoc.com/faq.htm
http://www.zfdoc.com/techinfo.htm

My transmission is doing the symptom described in the quote. I will send it out to ZFDoc when I get the money & time to do the replacement.

Hope this helps you!

 

Before you drop $800, describe the sound, when it occurs, and if you are having any other trouble (such as shifting) with the tranny. The forum will help.

 

Nope. You need to look at this:

http://zfdoc.com/S640Parts.htm

 

 

ok the sound does not happen all the time i have drove the car for 400 miles and not heard it once, but some days its worse than other.

basically i have no problem shifting the car shifts fine and the clutch feels solid(i.e pops back hard)

when in gear usually first or second pulling up to a stop sign is u sually when it happens and it is a whirrling, whining type of sound, not a clunk but more of a whining, whirrling type of sound but pretty loud.

very occasionally you will hear it very slightly when going through 1 st or second gear

but its mostly when pulling up to stop signs in gear with the clutch in

and it seem to sound i belive what the article depicts

above

any opinions?

 

GM doesn't manufacture replacements anymore. You're only going to get a rebuilt one in the future. You can get a replacement on ebay, but there you are. Go read up on this trans at XFDOC.com, ask them some questions. I plan to go there, and this Forum is where I learned abou them.
That's answered on the website & in my previous response. IMO, I'm not sure it is the bearing, I think they misdiagnosed it. AND that is what got my attention to your post, I did the exact same thing until I looked into what else it could be. (the clutch!)
Is the springs are worn out on the clutch & you don't drive it everyday, then cruise it. But, you're putting off the inevitable. If you hear a whirring sound, that's the input bearing. NOTE: if the mechanic you trust didn't test drive it, drop him on this one. It's the only way you're going to diagnose the front input bearing. The rest of them are rock solid.
Make sure that's what it is first. If it isn't, you're out $800 +, beleive me on this ...
Rebuild, you have a good core.
opinions needed[/QUOTE]
I got mine!!

GM doesn't manufacture replacements anymore.
You're only going to get a rebuilt one in the future - specially a ZR1.

I have the same issue you do, but mine has 157,000 miles on it. I'll get by until winter, if I don't lunch it at the yearly Corvette drag race. So, I can chance it, park it until I can fix it.
But your is different than mine, it's a ZR1 . The trans is different, the parts used on the whole are different. If I were you, I'd ask for help in the ZR1 section, you'll get help. Also, differing opinions, but just do what you think is right.

Bottom line: 1) diagnose the problem. 2) decide whether or not to rebuild & how you plan to do it.