New Transmission?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 871
Likes: 3
From: Alpha/Coopersburg NJ/PA
New Transmission?
I posted a thread yesterday about a whining noise I heard only in sixth gear, but not in fifth, around 65 miles an hour. The mechanic told me that some bearing (he mentioned the name, but I've since forgotten) was beginning to "brindle" and that changing the diff fluid wouldn't help, and that the transmission needed to be replaced for around $2,000 (on my two-week-old new to me car). This was his over the phone diagnosis; he hasn't heard the car yet. Is there anything I can/should do before I pay out for this? I'm pretty upset.
Last edited by Endeka; Nov 16, 2011 at 12:24 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,398
Likes: 1,139
From: Dyer, IN
I posted a thread yesterday about a whining noise I heard only in sixth gear, but not in fifth, around 65 miles an hour. The mechanic told me that some bearing (he mentioned the name, but I've since forgotten) was beginning to "brindle" and that changing the diff fluid wouldn't help, and that the transmission needed to be replaced for around $2,000 (on my two-week-old new to me car). This was his over the phone diagnosis; he hasn't heard the car yet. Is there anything I can/should do before I pay out for this. I'm pretty upset.
Get another opinion..........in person!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 871
Likes: 3
From: Alpha/Coopersburg NJ/PA
Yeah... I'm just really bummed. It's a moderate-high pitched whirr-whine that happens only in 6th gear, only at around 55-65 MPH (vanishes or is masked at higher speeds, does not occur at lower speeds), stops instantly when I take my foot off the gas, comes back instantly when I re-apply it, and is not impacted at all by turning. I asked the mechanic if it was something changing the fluid could help, he said "no," flatly. The price he quoted for the repair is 15% of the value I just paid for the car two weeks ago. I'm pretty appalled if a transmission replacement is really the only option here.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,398
Likes: 1,139
From: Dyer, IN
Yeah... I'm just really bummed. It's a moderate-high pitched whirr-whine that happens only in 6th gear, only at around 55-65 MPH (vanishes or is masked at higher speeds, does not occur at lower speeds), stops instantly when I take my foot off the gas, comes back instantly when I re-apply it, and is not impacted at all by turning. I asked the mechanic if it was something changing the fluid could help, he said "no," flatly. The price he quoted for the repair is 15% of the value I just paid for the car two weeks ago. I'm pretty appalled if a transmission replacement is really the only option here.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 871
Likes: 3
From: Alpha/Coopersburg NJ/PA
No, not that I noticed. That's the way it goes I guess. I was probably also disadvantaged in that I had never owned a Vette before, so I couldn't be positive what was normal and what wasn't. It wasn't this loud before though if it was there, that I'm sure of.
Last edited by Endeka; Nov 16, 2011 at 03:23 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,375
Likes: 426
Before you spend $2K+ for a new transmission why not:
1) change the transmission oil
2) don't drive at 60-65mph (this speed is too low for 6th anyway)
3) get used to the car and it's noises
If the bearing is still rumbling in 2 years then fix it. (brindle???)
These cars don't have much sound deadening and you hear more noises than in other cars. The transmission is behind you with the rear end and axles. They all make noise and they are right next to your head.
Do you have Goodyear run-flat tires? If so, I'm surprised you can hear anything at 65mph except the screaming of the tires.
1) change the transmission oil
2) don't drive at 60-65mph (this speed is too low for 6th anyway)
3) get used to the car and it's noises
If the bearing is still rumbling in 2 years then fix it. (brindle???)
These cars don't have much sound deadening and you hear more noises than in other cars. The transmission is behind you with the rear end and axles. They all make noise and they are right next to your head.
Do you have Goodyear run-flat tires? If so, I'm surprised you can hear anything at 65mph except the screaming of the tires.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa Ontario
Before you get your panties in a knot (to late) take it to a trusted technician and have them drive it for a diagnosis. Your discription to a tech on the phone got you the proper answer as changing fluids to repair damage rarely works.
That being said, in this case, clean proper fluids in the trans and diff may just take care of this noise.
That being said, in this case, clean proper fluids in the trans and diff may just take care of this noise.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 871
Likes: 3
From: Alpha/Coopersburg NJ/PA
Before you get your panties in a knot
If the bearing is still rumbling in 2 years then fix it. (brindle???)
If that's the case, I might run it into the ground and then make the "replacement" a diff upgrade next spring.
Last edited by Endeka; Nov 16, 2011 at 07:06 PM.
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