2015 GMC Canyon Transmission Planetary Issues

[chrismthoman]

Hi fellow GMCers,

 

I have a 2015 GMC Canyon SLT Crew cab short box truck. I have absolutely loved this truck thus far. However, I have found one persistent issue. It "squeaks!" Yes, I said it, and no, I am not crazy.

 

I have taken the truck in for service now four times to root the problem. To date, the shop replaced my drive shaft, rear u-joint, and pinion bearing seal. The seal itself was actually an assembly defect as it was not present.

 

Along with other fixes to small recalls the truck has received the 2yr/24k miles servicing of fluids and such.

 

I currently have 18k miles on it. It still runs great. Note, I have had the same issue with the "throttle lag" as mentioned. Mine still happens from time to time and if I punch the gas to try and get "out" of the lag it knocks pretty good.

 

So today I was able to get the transmission tech at my dealer's service department to finally hear the squeak. His initial concern was the planetary within the transmission. Here is a description of the issue:

 

-occurs most notably between speeds of 8-17 miles per hour. Most notably at 13 mph on my truck

-it occurs mostly when decelerating from higher speeds

-occurring under the front driver side area. Note, I know because I crouched on the step boards while my wife drive it around our neighborhood.

-the noise resembles at first a rubber on metal sound...literally a squeak

-the cadence of the sound follows the rotation of the control arm from the transfer case. I know it is not a break related issue, 18k on the truck.

-It occurs only in low gear. Whether it be in regular drive mode or by placing the truck in manual and selecting 1st gear.

-not prominent in colder temperatures. Very prominent in hot temperatures 70 degrees and above. Which would coincide with the difference in the viscosity of the tranny oil due to temperature

-the truck has to "warm up" first before the sound comes. So I know its an internal part-on-part issue. Again, once it reaches a certain temp it is very prominent.

 

Again, the service technician believed it to be a planetary issue. What surprised me most was the response from the Service Writer. He stated, we will read all the TSBs and see if there are other reported issues. If not, then he stated there really isn't anything they can do. I find that to be a totally shit answer. To me its covered under my drivetrain warranty...100k.

 

Its a pure manufacturing and assembly defect from my persepective. They increased their tolerance in the part specs to improve production numbers, not the quality of the vehicle. I find it repulsive that a 40k truck built by a company claiming they are "professional grade" and "Rembrandts" is having the issue and that the service department thinks throwing their hands up is acceptable. Frustrating because I have owned a lot GMCs and my friends and family know me as the GMC guy.

 

If you start to notice this, you're not alone.