Tranny Explosion

Roofer · July 31, 2009

My Parent's truck is a classic body style 2007 1500 5.3 ext. cab. The truck is used for daily driving and pulling a small miniature horse trailer about 4 times a year. Most trips are not more than a few hours away, so nothing major for towing.

The tranny imploded at 52,000 miles last week. I'm not too happy about this because we have had 3 other trucks with the same transmission, same use, and many more miles with no problems. I had a 1998 5.7l that went over 230,000 miles before it left the family. One other 5.7 and another 2000 5.3 with well over 100,000 with no problems at all. As far as I know, these all had the 4l60e transmission. What could have went wrong?

Tech said it had a pretty large hole in the casing of the tranny itself. (sorry, didn't get all the details).

Anyways, had another shop put in a "jasper" transmission. Don't know anything about it, but the shop guaranteed it and the warranty was over double what the GM tranny had.

Any info is appreciated.........

MS3DALE · July 31, 2009

Hey Joe,Got a question for ya'.....Your parents didn't pay for the replacement tranny did they? Reason I'm asking is because you know '07s and up have a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty.

asilverblazer · July 31, 2009

I'm not too happy about this because we have had 3 other trucks with the same transmission, same use, and many more miles with no problems.

I'd not be happy about a transmission going out, but parts do fail from time to time. I'd be upset if all of them failed like this. Ditto what Rich said, what gives?

66nova · July 31, 2009

Hey Joe,Got a question for ya'.....Your parents didn't pay for the replacement tranny did they? Reason I'm asking is because you know '07s and up have a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty.

+1

That was my thought. I understand maybe not wanting another GM 4L60E, but it would be free at least.

As far as the tranny goes. Who knows. Transmissions are really such precision parts, that any little manufacturing error could have caused it. A good friend of mine has a race built name brand TH350 for his drag car. The exact same transmission my dad, and couple friends have been running for 4+ seasons without a rebuild. His first time out, he scattered it. It was fixed for free of course, but it was all due to a faulty clip of some sort that let go and bam.

rgrant · July 31, 2009

The 4L60E was one of the weakest transmissions GM ever put out. Be happy it's dead. You are lucky to get 75-100k on one, even with regular fluid changes and no towing/hauling.

bossier62guy · July 31, 2009

The 4L60E was one of the weakest transmissions GM ever put out. Be happy it's dead. You are lucky to get 75-100k on one, even with regular fluid changes and no towing/hauling.

Must be a lot of lucky people out there then.....

Roofer · July 31, 2009

Well, I don't know if it is because it is a classic or I am incorrect about the year, but my Dad called about it and they only had 36,000/3 years.

I remember that after he bought that truck, I told him the newer one had the 100K warranty, but he got a pretty good deal on this loaded one.

I have heard of these transmissions going out with alot of towing heavy and hilly terrain, but not much around here. Like I said, in the family we have had plenty of these trucks with little to no problems whatsoever.

If it was my mopar I would understand.......

98 Z71 SLT · August 1, 2009

You answered your own question.

"...a pretty large hole in the case..."

You ran over something, broke the trans case, it leaks all the trans fluid out, and the trans fails. And you are unhappy about this?? How is it GM's fault??

Any way you can post a pic of the original trans ???

jrrod2004 · August 1, 2009

Well, I don't know if it is because it is a classic or I am incorrect about the year, but my Dad called about it and they only had 36,000/3 years.

I remember that after he bought that truck, I told him the newer one had the 100K warranty, but he got a pretty good deal on this loaded one.

I have heard of these transmissions going out with alot of towing heavy and hilly terrain, but not much around here. Like I said, in the family we have had plenty of these trucks with little to no problems whatsoever.

If it was my mopar I would understand.......

No, the GMT800s that were considered the "classics" had this powertrain warranty on the vehicle. I know this for a fact due to me being pissed off at the time since the 2006s were identical to the 2007s (classics).

MS3DALE · August 1, 2009

Well, I don't know if it is because it is a classic or I am incorrect about the year, but my Dad called about it and they only had 36,000/3 years.

I remember that after he bought that truck, I told him the newer one had the 100K warranty, but he got a pretty good deal on this loaded one.

Maybe its an '06 Joe,I know my buddy has an '06 VMAX and he was a little mad because his isn't covered for 5yr/100,000 miles (Although he has 60,000 miles on it and has had no issues at all with it)

As I said,All '07-up GM vehicles have a 5yr/100,000mile powertrain warranty.

asilverblazer · August 1, 2009

You answered your own question.

"...a pretty large hole in the case..."

You ran over something, broke the trans case, it leaks all the trans fluid out, and the trans fails. And you are unhappy about this?? How is it GM's fault??

Any way you can post a pic of the original trans ???

Seems a little early to determine all that... but I would like to see the carnage! Something could have broken inside the case and was forced out, like throwing a rod. I've never heard of either of these things happening...

Zembonez · August 1, 2009

The 4L60E was one of the weakest transmissions GM ever put out. Be happy it's dead. You are lucky to get 75-100k on one, even with regular fluid changes and no towing/hauling.

Total horse shit.

I've seen hundreds in fleet use running strong well over 150K. I hate it when people chime in with totally untrue and unsubstantiated claims. The 4L60 has been a great transmission.

alaska511 · August 1, 2009

The 4L60E was one of the weakest transmissions GM ever put out. Be happy it's dead. You are lucky to get 75-100k on one, even with regular fluid changes and no towing/hauling.

Total horse shit.

I've seen hundreds in fleet use running strong well over 150K. I hate it when people chime in with totally untrue and unsubstantiated claims. The 4L60 has been a great transmission.

+1 my last Tahoe went 200K, then I sold it. Original trans and engine. Many miles towing in the mountains. I have had several of these in many vehicles, without any failures.

VMax2007 · August 1, 2009

The 4L60E was one of the weakest transmissions GM ever put out. Be happy it's dead. You are lucky to get 75-100k on one, even with regular fluid changes and no towing/hauling.

Total horse shit.

I've seen hundreds in fleet use running strong well over 150K. I hate it when people chime in with totally untrue and unsubstantiated claims. The 4L60 has been a great transmission.

+1