This is far to long, but if you are looking for a odd story, I'd like to know what you think. I know there have been a lot of conversations about the torque converters for various years, but I wanted to share my resent experience and see what the thoughts are here.
Prior experience with Chevy transmissions: The company I work for purchased 2 each 2017 Silverados and one of them was my vehicle to drive daily. From brand new I would feel a shutter when traveling around 35 mph to 45 mph at a consistent speed, but didn't think anything of it. 2 years later, the company purchased a 2019 Silverado for another employee to drive. Both of the 2017s had transmission failures before 100,000 miles and the 2019 has had the engine replaced as well as the transmission, in that order. In the 2017, that I specifically drove for 4 years before failure, the shutter ended up getting so bad the entire vehicle would shake and within 2 weeks the transmission went while driving down the interstate. No gears, only neutral.
Current personal vehicle background: I purchased this 2019 Tahoe Premier in November of 2022 with around 26,000 miles on it. With my prior experience I was cautious and tried to be very aware of what I felt while driving this vehicle. We drove it without changing anything until around June or so when I bought the Range AFM disabler. Prior to using the disabler I could feel the slight shutter (occasionally and only slightly) when in V4 at around 1100 RPMs driving consistently. If I accelerated it would change to V8 and shift out of the shutter. After using the Range AFM the vehicle has run great without the shutter at all.
Current situation: The vehicle now has 45,000 miles and the warranty for this vehicle is up within the next few months, so I bring it to the dealer to have a yearly inspection done and have them check the shutter situation so that if something needs to be done it is done under warranty.
First call from dealership: Yes we feel the shutter and the next step is to drop the pan to see if there are any metal shavings on the magnet and expect the torque converter needs to be replaced. They expected to see metal so they didn't want to drop the pan unless we could leave it there which we couldn't do as it's our only family vehicle. They then inform us to pick it up and bring it back once they have a loaner for us to use.
Second phone call back, same day: They tell me that the shuttering could be caused by the tires which are a little worn (but passed inspection fine) and it was in auto 4wd so that could have caused some of the vibration. I informed them that is not the problem and agree with their first assessment that the torque converter is most likely the issue. The person I'm speaking with agrees, but states he has to inform me of all the technician wrote down.
2 weeks later we call them about the loaner and their response was they were waiting on use to determine if we wanted to replace the tires, which we already told them we didn't. We then schedule to drop our vehicle off in a couple of days. The day after it is dropped off we get a phone call from the dealership saying their transmission guy drove it and says nothing is wrong. The vibration is from the engine and not from the transmission and only happens when it is going between V4 and V8 which is normal. An already too long of a story somewhat shorter, I tell them my experience with this shutter and after a long back and forth they agree to at least drop the pan and see if there is any debris.
The next day I get a picture of the pan and underside of the transmission with a message of everything looks normal, no metal, we are currently deciding what to do. A little while later I get a message they are going to replace the torque converter.
This all just seems odd to me, what did I miss here? if everything looked good, then why would they replace the TC? If the TC has to be replaced, should I then be concerned with the transmission or any other part associated with the transmission? Do dealerships typically replace it with the same original faulty TC or is there and updated TC now? This is something I plan to ask when we pick it up. I have posted the pictures they sent so you more knowledgeable individuals can chime in and educate me.
Prior experience with Chevy transmissions: The company I work for purchased 2 each 2017 Silverados and one of them was my vehicle to drive daily. From brand new I would feel a shutter when traveling around 35 mph to 45 mph at a consistent speed, but didn't think anything of it. 2 years later, the company purchased a 2019 Silverado for another employee to drive. Both of the 2017s had transmission failures before 100,000 miles and the 2019 has had the engine replaced as well as the transmission, in that order. In the 2017, that I specifically drove for 4 years before failure, the shutter ended up getting so bad the entire vehicle would shake and within 2 weeks the transmission went while driving down the interstate. No gears, only neutral.
Current personal vehicle background: I purchased this 2019 Tahoe Premier in November of 2022 with around 26,000 miles on it. With my prior experience I was cautious and tried to be very aware of what I felt while driving this vehicle. We drove it without changing anything until around June or so when I bought the Range AFM disabler. Prior to using the disabler I could feel the slight shutter (occasionally and only slightly) when in V4 at around 1100 RPMs driving consistently. If I accelerated it would change to V8 and shift out of the shutter. After using the Range AFM the vehicle has run great without the shutter at all.
Current situation: The vehicle now has 45,000 miles and the warranty for this vehicle is up within the next few months, so I bring it to the dealer to have a yearly inspection done and have them check the shutter situation so that if something needs to be done it is done under warranty.
First call from dealership: Yes we feel the shutter and the next step is to drop the pan to see if there are any metal shavings on the magnet and expect the torque converter needs to be replaced. They expected to see metal so they didn't want to drop the pan unless we could leave it there which we couldn't do as it's our only family vehicle. They then inform us to pick it up and bring it back once they have a loaner for us to use.
Second phone call back, same day: They tell me that the shuttering could be caused by the tires which are a little worn (but passed inspection fine) and it was in auto 4wd so that could have caused some of the vibration. I informed them that is not the problem and agree with their first assessment that the torque converter is most likely the issue. The person I'm speaking with agrees, but states he has to inform me of all the technician wrote down.
2 weeks later we call them about the loaner and their response was they were waiting on use to determine if we wanted to replace the tires, which we already told them we didn't. We then schedule to drop our vehicle off in a couple of days. The day after it is dropped off we get a phone call from the dealership saying their transmission guy drove it and says nothing is wrong. The vibration is from the engine and not from the transmission and only happens when it is going between V4 and V8 which is normal. An already too long of a story somewhat shorter, I tell them my experience with this shutter and after a long back and forth they agree to at least drop the pan and see if there is any debris.
The next day I get a picture of the pan and underside of the transmission with a message of everything looks normal, no metal, we are currently deciding what to do. A little while later I get a message they are going to replace the torque converter.
This all just seems odd to me, what did I miss here? if everything looked good, then why would they replace the TC? If the TC has to be replaced, should I then be concerned with the transmission or any other part associated with the transmission? Do dealerships typically replace it with the same original faulty TC or is there and updated TC now? This is something I plan to ask when we pick it up. I have posted the pictures they sent so you more knowledgeable individuals can chime in and educate me.
