2011 Yukon..Transmission shot... worth replacing?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

brian y

TYF Newbie
Joined
Oct 22, 2019
Posts
5
Reaction score
9
Replace it with a junkyard trans. They are dime a dozen the 4l60e is extremely common used in the Tahoe suburban Sierra and Silverado. It’s also surprisingly easy to change yourself. Other than being heavy it’s a simple job.

When I was in college I blew my Subaru trans. I had no job no money. So I tore it apart replaced second gear and put it back together. It cost me $200 vs 3k to replace it. Learn to wrench save yourself money for the rest of your life.
 

Da90

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2009
Posts
736
Reaction score
815
Location
Tulsa, OK
Replace it with a junkyard trans. They are dime a dozen the 4l60e is extremely common used in the Tahoe suburban Sierra and Silverado. It’s also surprisingly easy to change yourself. Other than being heavy it’s a simple job.

When I was in college I blew my Subaru trans. I had no job no money. So I tore it apart replaced second gear and put it back together. It cost me $200 vs 3k to replace it. Learn to wrench save yourself money for the rest of your life.

Being a 2011 pretty sure it’s a 6 speed not a 4L60E.

I had a 6 speed rebuilt for a little less than $2,500. Did the oil pan gasket and rear main seal at this time. With yours having 170k I would replace those and also the oil pump pick up tube while you had the trans out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 

brian y

TYF Newbie
Joined
Oct 22, 2019
Posts
5
Reaction score
9
They had both 4l60e or a 6l80 depending on options. 4l60 being the standard I believe
 

DOORMAN

TYF Newbie
Joined
Dec 30, 2019
Posts
4
Reaction score
0
So here’s my story... purchased a 2011 Yukon 3 years ago. I have a balance of $8,000 left on the loan. Recently the transmission started making some noise and had it checked out at the local dealership. They told me it’s shot and given the age and mileage of the car it’s not worth replacing. The estimate was 5300 to replace tranny.

my car now has 170,000 miles and I never had an issue until now. Even though it’s got 170,000 miles, the car still rides like a champ...(until my tranny situation)

so I’ve been shopping for cars lately. I checked out a new base Yukon that isn’t nearly as loaded as mine and I’m looking at 900 dollar a month payments and to be honest, I’m not looking to spend that much money on a car per month that I’m not going to own.

So I’ve been shopping for cars and to be honest, there is nothing out there that excites me like my Yukon.

so my question is, so you think it’s worth replacing the transmission on a car with 170,000 miles that I still owe 8 grand on? If I can get at least 3 more years out of this car after replacing tranny I think I will be fine. But then in the back of my mind I find myself wondering if I’m crazy for considering spending so much money on a car that has 170,000 miles.

I’m no car expert but just wondering what the thoughts of the community are on my situation. Especially the thoughts of some mechanics. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

thanks,

matt
SHOP AROUND 5300 SOUNDS REALLY HI, SHOULD BE HALF THAT, IF YOU DONT FIX YOUR YUKON IS WORTH NOTHING
 

91RS

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2009
Posts
2,587
Reaction score
2,033
Location
GA
Dealer says not with fixing.... Sells you a new car at $900/mo, gives you $500 for your non running trade, installs reman tranny for 1k and sells it for 9k on their lot. Win win for them, lose lose for you.
How much do you pay per mo on your 8k loan?

Lol. Tell me where I can get a new transmission for $1000.
 

Bill Barnes

Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2016
Posts
66
Reaction score
82
Location
Catlett, VA
So here’s my story... purchased a 2011 Yukon 3 years ago. I have a balance of $8,000 left on the loan. Recently the transmission started making some noise and had it checked out at the local dealership. They told me it’s shot and given the age and mileage of the car it’s not worth replacing. The estimate was 5300 to replace tranny.

my car now has 170,000 miles and I never had an issue until now. Even though it’s got 170,000 miles, the car still rides like a champ...(until my tranny situation)

so I’ve been shopping for cars lately. I checked out a new base Yukon that isn’t nearly as loaded as mine and I’m looking at 900 dollar a month payments and to be honest, I’m not looking to spend that much money on a car per month that I’m not going to own.

So I’ve been shopping for cars and to be honest, there is nothing out there that excites me like my Yukon.

so my question is, so you think it’s worth replacing the transmission on a car with 170,000 miles that I still owe 8 grand on? If I can get at least 3 more years out of this car after replacing tranny I think I will be fine. But then in the back of my mind I find myself wondering if I’m crazy for considering spending so much money on a car that has 170,000 miles.

I’m no car expert but just wondering what the thoughts of the community are on my situation. Especially the thoughts of some mechanics. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

thanks,

matt
So here’s my story... purchased a 2011 Yukon 3 years ago. I have a balance of $8,000 left on the loan. Recently the transmission started making some noise and had it checked out at the local dealership. They told me it’s shot and given the age and mileage of the car it’s not worth replacing. The estimate was 5300 to replace tranny.

my car now has 170,000 miles and I never had an issue until now. Even though it’s got 170,000 miles, the car still rides like a champ...(until my tranny situation)

so I’ve been shopping for cars lately. I checked out a new base Yukon that isn’t nearly as loaded as mine and I’m looking at 900 dollar a month payments and to be honest, I’m not looking to spend that much money on a car per month that I’m not going to own.

So I’ve been shopping for cars and to be honest, there is nothing out there that excites me like my Yukon.

so my question is, so you think it’s worth replacing the transmission on a car with 170,000 miles that I still owe 8 grand on? If I can get at least 3 more years out of this car after replacing tranny I think I will be fine. But then in the back of my mind I find myself wondering if I’m crazy for considering spending so much money on a car that has 170,000 miles.

I’m no car expert but just wondering what the thoughts of the community are on my situation. Especially the thoughts of some mechanics. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

thanks,

matt
So here’s my story... purchased a 2011 Yukon 3 years ago. I have a balance of $8,000 left on the loan. Recently the transmission started making some noise and had it checked out at the local dealership. They told me it’s shot and given the age and mileage of the car it’s not worth replacing. The estimate was 5300 to replace tranny.

my car now has 170,000 miles and I never had an issue until now. Even though it’s got 170,000 miles, the car still rides like a champ...(until my tranny situation)

so I’ve been shopping for cars lately. I checked out a new base Yukon that isn’t nearly as loaded as mine and I’m looking at 900 dollar a month payments and to be honest, I’m not looking to spend that much money on a car per month that I’m not going to own.

So I’ve been shopping for cars and to be honest, there is nothing out there that excites me like my Yukon.

so my question is, so you think it’s worth replacing the transmission on a car with 170,000 miles that I still owe 8 grand on? If I can get at least 3 more years out of this car after replacing tranny I think I will be fine. But then in the back of my mind I find myself wondering if I’m crazy for considering spending so much money on a car that has 170,000 miles.

I’m no car expert but just wondering what the thoughts of the community are on my situation. Especially the thoughts of some mechanics. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

thanks,

matt
I have a 2005 Yukon XL with the 5.3 Z code engine and 4WD with the 4L60E trans. It showed a fair amount of metallic material in the pan at 82K miles on a fluid change. The dealer recommended a rebuild, in-shop, with a 90-day warranty for 3K$, or a GM Reman trans with a 36-month warranty for 3600$. Also gave in writing that if I ever had a problem regardless of age or mileage, they would repair it at no charge. At 150K miles, 3rd and 4th gear went out. They made good on the repair, and gave me a high-optined Honda Accord loaner at no charge! Koons Buick-GMC-Honda in Manassas, VA. Not an ad, just saying they honored their word. I'm at 182K now, with no further problems with the transmission. If that were only the case with the instrument cluster and the Auto environment system!
 
OP
OP
Matt81

Matt81

TYF Newbie
Joined
Mar 20, 2018
Posts
15
Reaction score
24
Dealer says not with fixing.... Sells you a new car at $900/mo, gives you $500 for your non running trade, installs reman tranny for 1k and sells it for 9k on their lot. Win win for them, lose lose for you.
How much do you pay per mo on your 8k loan?

360.00 and it’s loaded. It’s got everything .. 4wd leather , heated seats, dvd.

mist been a depressing ride home. Passed 2 Tahoe’s, a Denali , and an Escalade..really miss driving my Yukon.. this sucks
 

wjburken

Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2017
Posts
9,915
Reaction score
27,377
Location
Eastern Iowa
360.00 and it’s loaded. It’s got everything .. 4wd leather , heated seats, dvd.

mist been a depressing ride home. Passed 2 Tahoe’s, a Denali , and an Escalade..really miss driving my Yukon.. this sucks
A $540 difference in payment has you money ahead on a rebuilt or replacement transmission in 6 months. Add in the hit you’d take on trading your rig in and all the other stuff and your money ahead almost instantly.
 

LRD_V8R

TYF Newbie
Joined
May 9, 2019
Posts
13
Reaction score
22
Do what everyone else suggests and replace it. I just bought my tahoe in april and ended up doing almost a complete motor rebuild. Don't regret it one bit. One thing that will bite you in the ass more than you realize is depreciation on something newer. That will cost you more than replacing the transmission no matter how you actually replace it (rebuild, replace, etc.). That insane car note will get old real quick and will cost you more in the long run.
 
OP
OP
Matt81

Matt81

TYF Newbie
Joined
Mar 20, 2018
Posts
15
Reaction score
24
After everyone’s input, I feel more comfortable moving forward with replacing the transmission. I’m going to call 2 shops tomorrow to see what prices I’m looking at. I appreciate everyone’s input. I’ll keep you updated and let you know what happens. Thanks again!
 

Forum statistics

Threads
131,991
Posts
1,860,503
Members
96,385
Latest member
BigBee44
Top