[saturnxr]

I have read, seen, heard and watched (in horror) what occurs when the wave plate fails in the doomed by design 6T75 6-speed transmission inside our Outlooks. I haven't had any transmission issues so far and i'd rather keep it that way, so this leads me to my question: Is there a way to prevent failure? Is GM offering an updated wave plate or modification to the 6T75 transmission that could be performed that wouldn't require the replacement of the Transmission? Is there another compatible transmission for the Outlook? I saw somebody say "Have it fixed now and pay $750 or wait and pay $3,000" on the Acadia forum (with no reference to an actual fix)

I have just crossed the 100,000 mile mark and my local GM dealership doesn't care for me or my discontinued Outlook. Every time I go in there for recall work they talk-down my car and say that it probably would be best for me to just buy a new one. To be quite honest I don't really care for the chiseled appearance of the newer GM vehicles anyway and I really rather not start new car shopping.

 

[tsc1969]

Re: How to prevent a wave-plate related transmission issue/failure?

I have been thinking about the same thing. "Fixing" it now instead of waiting for the transmission to blow up.
Tim

 

[rbarrios]

Re: How to prevent a wave-plate related transmission issue/failure?

the fix is to have the actual 3-5-R wave plate removed and replaced with the updated part.
and the trans price can be as high as $4500 as some have found.
so $600-$750 looks really nice....

 

[saturnxr]

Re: How to prevent a wave-plate related transmission issue/failure?

the fix is to have the actual 3-5-R wave plate removed and replaced with the updated part.
and the trans price can be as high as $4500 as some have found.
so $600-$750 looks really nice....

Part # or any other reference # for the part?
I'm also assuming that the $600-$750 price range also includes labor. Is that also the rate for dealership work or independent mechanic?
Thanks.

 

[mswerb]

Re: How to prevent a wave-plate related transmission issue/failure?

I would find another GM dealership if they continue to be disrespectful towards you. "Fixing" something BEFORE it breaks is a new one to me.
We had to replace the transmission in our 2008 Outlook a while back, and never thought of dropping $700 and up on something that MIGHT break.

 

[saturnxr]

Re: How to prevent a wave-plate related transmission issue/failure?

I would find another GM dealership if they continue to be disrespectful towards you. "Fixing" something BEFORE it breaks is a new one to me.
We had to replace the transmission in our 2008 Outlook a while back, and never thought of dropping $700 and up on something that MIGHT break.

Thanks I totally agree, it really does nauseate me that I am going to have to drop $700 on something that I am not responsible for. I was passing somebody today and when I accelerated and my passengers and I felt and heard (a big change in revs) a really hard shift. I have been very careful driving and have noticed no other issues.

FYI to anybody who is curious I do not plan on and WILL NOT pay the asking price the dealership will want for the repair no matter the price. I shouldn't be responsible for paying for GM and Ford's mistakes and I don't plan on it.

 

[rbarrios]

Re: How to prevent a wave-plate related transmission issue/failure?

Its not a matter of it MIGHT break...
It WILL break.

The 35R wave plaves were not heat treated properly. and will eventually break.
From what Ive read- its based on the amount of shifts that take place.


THink of it this way...
Around 90,000 to 120,000 miles--- many folks get Transmission fluid changed (flushes as some places will call them) performed and pay what- $200-300?
If a shop replaced the part for $600 or so-- that will include new trans fluid...

The price quoted is from independent shops....
I believe there are several on the Acadia forum who have already had this done.

 

[rbarrios]

Re: How to prevent a wave-plate related transmission issue/failure?

read here..

http://www.acadiaforum.net/index.php?topic=11543.0

http://www.acadiaforum.net/index.php?topic=12530.0

 

[XRDreamliner]

Re: How to prevent a wave-plate related transmission issue/failure?

In the case of my '09 Outlook, with 66K miles, the transmission developed a leak at the case halves.

Under GMPP, the dealership had to drop the engine and transmission, and then remove the transmission and split the cases. Since the cases were being split, I had them also replace the 3-5-R plate (actually, it comes in a kit - P/N 24240100, $52.42).

 

[saturnxr]

Re: How to prevent a wave-plate related transmission issue/failure?

In the case of my '09 Outlook, with 66K miles, the transmission developed a leak at the case halves.

Under GMPP, the dealership had to drop the engine and transmission, and then remove the transmission and split the cases. Since the cases were being split, I had them also replace the 3-5-R plate (actually, it comes in a kit - P/N 24240100, $52.42).

Wait, you are saying that the part it's self is $50?! I cannot stand the poor attention to detail and design that only GM has been able to achieve. Their cheapness and carelessness for the quality of parts they put into their cars is unacceptable. So I guess I just need to buy the part and find somebody willing and trustworthy enough to do the work at a reasonable price. Thanks for the Part #

 

[rbarrios]

Re: How to prevent a wave-plate related transmission issue/failure?

thats the kit..
Ive read the part itself is a couple bucks.

 

[XRDreamliner]

Re: How to prevent a wave-plate related transmission issue/failure?

thats the kit..
Ive read the part itself is a couple bucks.

And here's a picture of the kit, and the discounted price of $36...

http://www.karlautoparts.com/catalog-1/itemdetail/acdelco-oe-service/24240100

 

[rbarrios]

Re: How to prevent a wave-plate related transmission issue/failure?

amazon has it for $37.

According to the image its all the wave plates...

 

[saturnxr]

Re: How to prevent a wave-plate related transmission issue/failure?

Thanks XRDreamliner and rbarrios for the help, I will have the transmission serviced in early spring, I plan to have the work done at my local dealership but at a much lower negotiated price (depending on how low I can get them to go will determine how soon I can have the repair done, really want it done ASAP) I will start with Saturn Customer Care # and work my way down until I can get an offer, I have some friends that had the trans replaced at half the cost (after the replacement one failed they traded-in) so im confident that I too will be able to get an offer. Oh also, has anybody had any issues since the repair? is there still a risk of failure even after repair? and will the Dealership warranty their work? Thanks.

 

[rbarrios]

Re: How to prevent a wave-plate related transmission issue/failure?

Thanks XRDreamliner and rbarrios for the help, I will have the transmission serviced in early spring, my work is mostly seasonal and the only time I will be able to afford such a repair would be at peak season. I plan to have the work done at my local dealership but at a much lower negotiated price (depending on how low I can get them to go will determine how soon I can have the repair done, really want it done ASAP) I will start with Saturn Customer Care # and work my way down until I can get an offer, I have some friends that had the trans replaced at half the cost (after the replacement one failed they traded-in) so im confident that I too will be able to get an offer. Oh also, has anybody had any issues since the repair? is there still a risk of failure even after repair? and will the Dealership warranty their work? Thanks.

There was a Bulletin on repaired trans...
initially-- some trans were being repaired..
The problem was that the techs did not clean out all the debris properly.
and caused issues when parts got clogged.

 

[hungtdao]

Re: How to prevent a wave-plate related transmission issue/failure?

saturnxr,
Let me know how much your dealership will charge for the wave plates replacement. All my local transmission shops so far quote me from $1700-$2500. They said that they have to perform a same procedure as repairing by dropping and dismantling the transmission except the other components are not being damaged by broken wave plates. Some shops also suggest that by replacing new wave plates, it also better to replace new clutches and valve body (electronic component) to make sure the transmission is last longer. Since my 2007 Acadia is 65k miles, they said that new clutch might be needed at 90-100k miles anyway. If it is too much, I have to bye my Acadia.

 

[saturnxr]

Re: How to prevent a wave-plate related transmission issue/failure?

saturnxr,
Let me know how much your dealership will charge for the wave plates replacement. All my local transmission shops so far quote me from $1700-$2500. They said that they have to perform a same procedure as repairing by dropping and dismantling the transmission except the other components are not being damaged by broken wave plates. Some shops also suggest that by replacing new wave plates, it also better to replace new clutches and valve body (electronic component) to make sure the transmission is last longer. Since my 2007 Acadia is 65k miles, they said that new clutch might be needed at 90-100k miles anyway. If it is too much, I have to bye my Acadia.

Will do

 

[rbarrios]

Re: How to prevent a wave-plate related transmission issue/failure?

hungtdao--
you may want to contact keydiesel on the Acadia forum.

He has his own shop- works on these.
AND
works for local dealers doing the trans repair.

He says- he does not need to fully remove the trans.
I believe he says a partial lower of engine or engine cradle-- and then the trans can be split in half.
thus his charge of $650.

 

[rbarrios]

Re: How to prevent a wave-plate related transmission issue/failure?

I asked him...

he said..

To pull just the transmission you suspend the engine and transmission with a holding fixture, pull just the cradle out, then pull the transmission out leaving just the engine hanging.