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

[brian y]

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]

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.


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[brian y]

They had both 4l60e or a 6l80 depending on options. 4l60 being the standard I believe

 

[DOORMAN]

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]

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]

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!

 

[Matt81]

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]

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]

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.

 

[Matt81]

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!

 

[1BADI5]

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

What a shop pays for parts is vastly different then what the customer pays.

My good friend owns a shop, so he has accounts with vendors. Here is a clear example. A set of Kooks long tube headers and catted y pipe from your favorite online vendor is about $2500 then tax and shipping. My buddies cost as a shop was only 1225 through his vendor.......less then half price.

Dealer are in a remove and replace business. More money to be made that way. Once the techs have the process done, they beat book time Everytime and that also means the service department makes more money

 

[91RS]

Haha. Do you even understand what a business is? They’re not there to service your needs while losing money. Markup happens EVERYWHERE. Do you think Walmart doesn’t markup their goods? The dealership isn’t some special place that “rips you off” any more than Walmart or Publix. And as far as beating book time, once you do something for 30 years and get good at it do you charge less for it because you can do it faster? Or expect to make less money because you can do the job better/faster than the guy in the next cubical who’s been at it 6 months? Do you realize how dumb that sounds? Does the best CPA in town charge you less to do your taxes because they’re damn good at it? No. They don’t.

 

[Floep]

I agree with 91RS been in business myself and he is right!! specifically on the " done it so often can do it with my eyes closed, in shorter time" that is expensive experience and NEEDS to be rewarded financially

 

[trailblazer]

“It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own self-interest. “
-Adam Smith

Remans are available in the low $2k range. I watched that Gary Ferraro video in entirety and during the disassembly he pointed out how many of the clutches were in good condition. It would be my best guess that the assembly-line rebuilders only replace the components that are actually worn and keep the other wear items if they are still serviceable. I wouldn’t doubt that a reputable and local trans shop would tell you exactly what they do which might explain a higher price. I’m actually interested in overhauling a 6L80E now. I see cores for a couple hundred bucks. It would be a nice winter project. But I find that sort of stuff interesting...


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[wjburken]

I completely agree. Knowledge and experience has value. A lot of it. Here is a little story that has a lot of truth to it.

There was an engineer who had an exceptional gift for fixing all things mechanical. After serving his company loyally for over 30 years, he happily retired. Several years later the company contacted him regarding a seemingly impossible problem they were having with one of their multi-million dollar machines. They had tried everything and everyone else to get the machine to work but to no avail.

In desperation, they called on the retired engineer who had solved so many of their problems in the past. The engineer reluctantly took the challenge. He spent a day studying the huge machine. Finally, at the end of the day, he marked a small “x” in chalk on a particular component of the machine and said, “This is where your problem is.” The part was replaced and the machine worked perfectly again. The company received a bill for $50,000 from the engineer for his service. They demanded an itemized accounting of his charges.

The engineer responded briefly: One chalk mark $1; Knowing where to put it $49,999.

It was paid in full and the engineer retired again in peace.

 

[swathdiver]

They had both 4l60e or a 6l80 depending on options. 4l60 being the standard I believe

The 4-Speeds were gone by 2010. In 2009 they were only behind the LY2.

 

[swathdiver]

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.

Is there any part of an automobile more mysterious than the transmission? We endeavor to know exactly why our car pulls to the left or right, to pinpoint precisely what that noise is on the undercarriage but when it comes to the transmission, superfluff communications seems to be the order of the day.

As evidenced from the pages of this here forum, quite often all these transmissions need is for their solenoids to be rebuilt. Most able bodied men can do this for for about $90 plus fluid on their kitchen table without removing the transmission from the vehicle.

A proper scan tool can tell you exactly what is wrong with the transmission AND allow you to run dealer level tests which often gets a stuck trans going again. Spending $350 on the Tech-2 would save a man thousands just in this instance.

 

[tjoyce81]

Wow. After reading all the replies - it amazes me that a 'noise' in the tranny warrants replacing the entire unit. First off, is it a 4l60e / 4l65e or a 6l80e?
Second, a "noise" could be anything. Does is shift strange, or slip? Is it low on fluid? It may not be the transmission at all!!

If you can't definitely answer what type of transmission you have - it is impossible for anyone to give ANY suggestion on what to do. Assuming what type of tranny is in this unit is irresponsible.

I would take it to a local mechanic and have them tell you what transmission you have, and what they think the 'noise' could be....

Answer those questions and check back. You will get better advice then...Happy New Year...

 

[tjoyce81]

Is there any part of an automobile more mysterious than the transmission? We endeavor to know exactly why our car pulls to the left or right, to pinpoint precisely what that noise is on the undercarriage but when it comes to the transmission, superfluff communications seems to be the order of the day.

As evidenced from the pages of this her forum, quite often all these transmissions need is for their solenoids to be rebuilt. Most able bodied men can do this for for about $90 plus fluid on their kitchen table without removing the transmission from the vehicle.

A proper scan tool can tell you exactly what is wrong with the transmission AND allow you to run dealer level tests which often gets a stuck trans going again. Spending $350 on the Tech-2 would save a man thousands just in this instance.

VERY VERY good advice. Many times, the vehicle has on board diagnosis features that will actually tell you what is wrong.. Investing in a full service manual (FSM) for your vehicle WILL save a lot of wondering....

 

[Matt81]

Called first transmission shop. They have good reviews. Spoke to the guy. Very nice. He couldn’t give me a price cause he wants to confirm the transmission due to it being a 2011. I drop it off Friday. Hopefully he reasonable !