Maintaining an M6

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Jun 23, 2006 | 11:44 AM

N0TDADYS_98

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 976

Likes: 1

From: Lincoln NE

Maintaining an M6

114k miles on the car and no receipts with the car or history of the car's check ups... I"m very quickly modding my car and fear that i'll run into a serious problem if i don't think ahead...

For the record this is my first M6 car i've worked on... I noticed while under my car my drive train is pretty different to most... does anyone have a picture of the drive train and can explain what everything is... appears to have some extra parts...

Also I have a lil leak in the back... so i know my fluid level is on the decline... not sure how long it's been that way so i'm nervous i'm getting low... basicallly please tell me what to do/check to insure my tranny lives a lil longer...

I do have a hard time getting in and out of some gears especailly 5th and reverse. some light grindage... thoughts?

Thanks

David.

PS. who builds a good built tranny? & $$

Jun 23, 2006 | 02:03 PM

VetteDrmr

Le Mans Master

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 9,923

Likes: 1,884

From: Hot Springs AR

David,

Let's set up a baseline, first. From the back of the car, you see a pretty typical IRS differential. Just in front of that is the transmission, directly connected to the diff instead of through a driveshaft.

Forward of that is a torque tube assembly that connects the engine and the tranny. Inside this torque tube assembly is the driveshaft.

Next, your fluid leak. C5s have a common problem of weeping differential fluid through the driver's side shaft seal. You can tell what kind of fluid is dripping by wiping some off on your hand. If it's red and thin, that's transmission fluid. If it's not, and smells, that's diff fluid.

Fluid changes would be my first step (after getting a set of manuals, that is!)

HTH, and have a good one,
Mike

Jun 23, 2006 | 03:04 PM

N0TDADYS_98

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 976

Likes: 1

From: Lincoln NE

so even a manual tranny sits in the rear eh? Corvettes = wow...

actually my leak is between the IRS and tranny.. i've not noticed any toward the front of the car...

where is my clutch then?

Jun 23, 2006 | 03:07 PM

Wicked Weasel

Team Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 24,652

Likes: 298

From: NJ

St. Jude Donor '05-'08

Quote:

Originally Posted by N0TDADYS_98

so even a manual tranny sits in the rear eh? Corvettes = wow...

actually my leak is between the IRS and tranny.. i've not noticed any toward the front of the car...

where is my clutch then?

Yes the MN6 tranny is in the rear

clutch is in the front....

Jun 23, 2006 | 03:14 PM

N0TDADYS_98

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 976

Likes: 1

From: Lincoln NE

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wicked Weasel

Yes the MN6 tranny is in the rear

clutch is in the front....

ok that makes alot more sense... I guess i'll figure out how it all works when i change my clutch out later... or my tranny/IRS fails...

suggested manuals? So far i've done, headers, intake, cam, oil pump, springs, push rods and a few other things without a manual... any links on how to change out tranny fluid and replace?

I know autos if not flushed regulary are bad ideas to flush... my car has 114k on it now and i'm not sure when the last time it was changed... Is flushing a high milage MN6 a bad idea? especially not knowing the last time it was done?

Jun 23, 2006 | 04:07 PM

JD's C5

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 2,073

Likes: 0

From: East Lansing, Mi

Quote:

Originally Posted by N0TDADYS_98

Rodney at rodney@rpmtransmissions.com is the best if u need a new tranny. I think about anyone on the forum will tell u the quality and the price as well as the customer service are number 1

Jun 23, 2006 | 04:51 PM

Wicked Weasel

Team Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 24,652

Likes: 298

From: NJ

St. Jude Donor '05-'08

Quote:

Originally Posted by N0TDADYS_98

IMHO - I would flush every fluid in your car. It is an old wise tale that changing the fluid causes the damage. If there was something wrong with it changing the fluid will show the metal pieces. I think it must have been 1 person changed their really old fluid and the car died and now everyone thinks it is the fluid. If it aint broke dont fix it kind of philosophy

Last edited by Wicked Weasel; Jun 23, 2006 at 06:59 PM.

Jun 23, 2006 | 05:04 PM

VetteDrmr

Le Mans Master

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 9,923

Likes: 1,884

From: Hot Springs AR

Quote:

Originally Posted by N0TDADYS_98

suggested manuals? So far i've done, headers, intake, cam, oil pump, springs, push rods and a few other things without a manual... any links on how to change out tranny fluid and replace?

The shop manuals are just good reference for anyone working on a C5 due to the amount of threaded aluminum, etc., that you really need to torque to the correct values.

Are you saying that you've already done that much work on your C5, or on previous engines?

Tranny drain is a 3/8" plug on the bottom passenger side, fill plug is halfway up the driver's side.

Diff plug takes a pretty large hex drive socket. Drain is straight on the bottom, fill is on upper passenger side. Make sure you add a bottle of GM's limited slip additive, regardless of what the manufacturer's claim is in their fluid.

Fluids? I use Mobil 1 in engine, tranny, and diff.

HTH, and have a good one,
Mike