Camaro team's response to concern about Transmission Output Shaft Failure

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by JusticePete

In many ways this is an indictment of our disposable culture. Fixing is what a professional technician is supposed to do. That is the exception these days. Some of that is due to the vast array of electronics on a modern automobile. Some is due to cost. Because the automakers have been able to reduce parts cost it is often cheaper to replace the component as opposed to paying the labor cost involved in fixing it.

There is nothing wrong with fixing a transmission. If the case has not been damaged, a fixed transmission should be no different than a replacement transmission. Your warranty will have the same terms that existed when the car was brought in based on age and miles. In some ways, you can look at your warranty as improved. Because they are fixing the transmission any future issues may fall under a litany of consumer protection laws. Consumer protection laws have a built in consumer bias.

In practical terms, what is the difference? If a new transmission is assembled incorrectly it will fail. If a new transmission is assembled properly it will work as designed. If a fixed transmission is assembled incorrectly it will fail. If a fixed transmission is assembled properly it will work as designed. Your Chevrolet Dealer has done right by you with the warranty. I would be inclined to think your Chevrolet Dealer has a qualified technician doing the warranty work and the result will be positive.

+1. There's a situation for everything...but I'm very comfortable with something being fixed. No reason to trash a whole assembly because one part went bad. (IMO, anyways)

[Amwellls1]

Add me to the list, 4000 miles Vin in the 17,000's.

[MagnumForce]

In revieiwng these threads, it appears this issue affected 2010 model year Camaros'. But, I'm unable to find any reports of 2011 models experiencing similar issues. Does anyone know if this problem has been reported during the 2011 model year run?

There's much speculation as to cause and I, too, would like to have known if the actual cause was isolated. I assume Chevrolet performed a "root cause analysis" on those output shafts which failed; knowing the "rate of failure" doesn't address why the failures occurred. I realize many possible explanations could exist; including improper heat treatment; porosity in the steel; improper tolerances, etc. It would be reassuring to know the root cause was at least identified and corrected.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by MagnumForce

In revieiwng these threads, it appears this issue affected 2010 model year Camaros'. But, I'm unable to find any reports of 2011 models experiencing similar issues. Does anyone know if this problem has been reported during the 2011 model year run?

There's much speculation as to cause and I, too, would like to have known if the actual cause was isolated. I assume Chevrolet performed a "root cause analysis" on those output shafts which failed; knowing the "rate of failure" doesn't address why the failures occurred. I realize many possible explanations could exist; including improper heat treatment; porosity in the steel; improper tolerances, etc. It would be reassuring to know the root cause was at least identified and corrected.

The failures are isolated events limited only to a select run of 2010 Camaros. Rest assured, any early, or late-model 2010s, and all Camaros going forward will not have any transmission issues related to this problem.

EDIT: This is, of course, assuming you're not running eleventy-billion hp in said cars...

[Rick@Metco]

Originally Posted by Rick@Metco

I had a discussion with a reputable builder of GM six-speed transmissions recently, and he explained that the Camaro transmissions are failing for a very specific reason. He stated that GM did not specify the use of a support bearing for the output shaft in the tailshaft of the transmission.

Since posting this, I have heard this explanation for the output shaft failures reaffirmed more than once. I think it was even referenced in the issue of Camaro Now magazine.

[Merc]

Originally Posted by Dr Jkel

What kind of warranty are they going to give you on a "fixed" tranny?

Pumpkin only has 12000 km on it, so it will not km out. So the answer is 3.5 years. Although I pushed GM form a new tranny. No luck.

[TAG UR IT]

But I want eleventy billion hp. They won't cover my powertrain warranty with eleventybillion hp??? NOOOO!!!!!..... hehe

I seem to be plauged with trans problems (with my older Camaros). So far, we are good in this one. I had some grinding from 1st to 2nd, but luckily that's about it. I think it's GM's good old synchros... BOOOoooo...

[Merc]

Originally Posted by Rick@Metco

Since posting this, I have heard this explanation for the output shaft failures reaffirmed more than once. I think it was even referenced in the issue of Camaro Now magazine.

I would like to hear your explanation. I have some ideas of my own that contributes to the tranny failure. We did our own post mortem prior to decking Pumpkin to the dealer.

[Merc]

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

But I want eleventy billion hp. They won't cover my powertrain warranty with eleventybillion hp??? NOOOO!!!!!..... hehe

I seem to be plauged with trans problems (with my older Camaros). So far, we are good in this one. I had some grinding from 1st to 2nd, but luckily that's about it. I think it's GM's good old synchros... BOOOoooo...

Synchro's are definately weak a long with the shift forks.

[JusticePete]

Hmmm... We have run record setting laps for the 5h Gen at multiple tracks and sessions. My professional racing drivers have pushed our 5th Gen to the limit. knock on wood, NOTHING has failed, bent or broken. NOTHING. Not a toe link, not a trailing arm and not the transmission.









We have worn out calipers, brake pads, rotors and tires in our testing and hot laps, but NEVER broken a driveline or suspension component. I am not hear to say the 5th Gen is perfect, but based on our testing and use, based on my Dealer reports, there are NO chronic problems with the 5th Gen and that includes the transmission.

[Rick@Metco]

Originally Posted by mercuryman96

I would like to hear your explanation. I have some ideas of my own that contributes to the tranny failure. We did our own post mortem prior to decking Pumpkin to the dealer.

I don't have an explanation, although the information I relayed about the missing tailshaft support bearing seems plausible.

The trans in my car has not yet failed, and mine is an early build.

[BlaSSt Off]

Sorry to bring this one back from the dead, but lets just say that a certain early build Camaro has long tube headers, HF cats, CAI, 22" wheels and the shaft breaks. Would that be covered under warranty??? You know...just for hypothetical purpouses......

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by BlaSSt Off

Sorry to bring this one back from the dead, but lets just say that a certain early build Camaro has long tube headers, HF cats, CAI, 22" wheels and the shaft breaks. Would that be covered under warranty??? You know...just for hypothetical purpouses......

Hypothetically speaking?? Probably not....but this imaginary owner would have to pretend to visit his dealer to know for sure...

[JusticePete]

An aftermarket friendly hypothetical dealer would be best.