A8 shudder/ fluid flush

sinlinson · 08-03-2022, 09:03 AM

Brought my new to me, SS to the local dealer for the dreaded A8 transmission shudder. The car drives fine at highway speed, but shudders around 20-35 mph. I printed the service bulletin (which I know they love to see), and spoke with the service manager. She said it may be covered under my certified used car warranty, but wasn't sure. Which means it's not covered. Said it would be $695 for the fluid flush if I had to pay. Got a call at the end of the day saying they didn't do the flush because 3 of my wheels are bent. I know anything is possible, but how could I have 3 bent rims and the car drive perfectly at 80 mph? They want $160/ wheel to straighten, then they will diagnose the transmission. Sound reasonable? I took the car home untouched.
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ckt227 · 08-03-2022, 09:21 AM

Not reasonable at all. Why did they even look at the wheels when you told them about the shudder, makes no sense. Find another dealer or independent mechanic. $600 plus for a fluid flush is BS!

I had the shudder in my 2015 C7. It was so bad they had to swap out the torque converter as well as replace fluid(s). Lucky for me it was covered under the original warranty. Can't imagine that finalized bill. Good luck.

jamala00 · 08-03-2022, 10:08 AM

Sounds like they are trying to royally screw you over. I'd take it to another dealer.

arpad_m · 08-03-2022, 10:32 AM

If wheels were bent, especially 3 of the 4, you'd clearly feel vibration at various speeds, ie the car may feel fine at 80 mph but then vibrate at 45 or 50 mph. Guess what they're trying to tell (sell) you is that what you thought was shudder is shudder plus problematic wheels.

This isn't impossible, assuming that you aren't 100% sure what the symptoms of trans shudder are, but I would definitely have these claims verified by another shop or dealership, without sharing this info beforehand of course.

raptor5244 · 08-03-2022, 10:58 AM

FWIW, my 2016 2SS shudder was only noticeable on the highway as it would switch between V4 and V8 mode.

ctrlz · 08-03-2022, 11:08 AM

Do you have the service write-up? How did they determine wheels were "bent?" Visual inspection, spin balance???
A small nick in a wheel does not mean it's bent.
And what exactly is this straightening process they are proposing?

plus1zero · 08-03-2022, 11:51 AM

The A8 shudder ain't no joke. Every GM I've had with an 8 speed has had it at one point or another

dmcmahan60 · 08-03-2022, 01:52 PM

Find another dealership to go to!

FlukeSS · 08-03-2022, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinlinson

Brought my new to me, 16 SS to the local dealer for the dreaded A8 transmission shudder. The car drives fine at highway speed, but shudders around 20-35 mph. I printed the service bulletin (which I know they love to see), and spoke with the service manager. She said it may be covered under my certified used car warranty, but wasn't sure. Which means it's not covered. Said it would be $695 for the fluid flush if I had to pay. Got a call at the end of the day saying they didn't do the flush because 3 of my wheels are bent. I know anything is possible, but the car has 11,000 miles and is in mint condition. How could I have 3 bent rims and the car drive perfectly at 80 mph? They want $160/ wheel to straighten, then they will diagnose the transmission. Sound reasonable? I took the car home untouched.
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The shudder if I remember the bulletin correctly exists between 30-80 mph. And it would be noticeable vibration on light acceleration, and you will feel it in the gas pedal as well.

It also always occurs at the same speeds relative from one person to the next.

In my case on my 2016 it happened at 50mph and 70mph.

Hotwheeltat · 08-03-2022, 03:39 PM

Why don't you think the wheels could be bent? Just cause it's shiny doesn't mean the previous owner knew how to drive. I would be looking to the selling dealer for some help if you bought it certified depending on how long you have had it in your possession.

ckt227 · 08-03-2022, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raptor5244

FWIW, my 2016 2SS shudder was only noticeable on the highway as it would switch between V4 and V8 mode.

When I took my C7 in, they called me back within a few hours and said it was shuddering when it switched into AFM/V8 to 4 cylinder mode. I went back and saw they did not even drive it a full 1 mile. I had been using the same dealer for years so I knew most of the SA's. Talked to Doug and he had the shop foreman ride with me. We drove about 5 miles or so. After the first few miles he he gave me the oh sh!t look and stated to me, "That's not AFM kicking in. We need to go back."

After a little over a week, I had a new torque converter and fluids (transmission and differential) changed. The car only had about 500 miles or so. At least it was all covered by warranty. Never had another problem and eventually traded it in.

What sucks is GM knows its an issue and has been from the beginning and should have a recall or extended coverage on it.

raptor5244 · 08-03-2022, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckt227

When I took my C7 in, they called me back within a few hours and said it was shuddering when it switched into AFM/V8 to 4 cylinder mode. I went back and saw they did not even drive it a full 1 mile. I had been using the same dealer for years so I knew most of the SA's. Talked to Doug and he had the shop foreman ride with me. We drove about 5 miles or so. After the first few miles he he gave me the oh sh!t look and stated to me, "That's not AFM kicking in. We need to go back."

After a little over a week, I had a new torque converter and fluids (transmission and differential) changed. The car only had about 500 miles or so. At least it was all covered by warranty. Never had another problem and eventually traded it in.

What sucks is GM knows its an issue and has been from the beginning and should have a recall or extended coverage on it.

Yep, mine had it. Showed up at just 4800 miles. It was just easy to reproduce at highway speeds. I traded mine in 2017 as well and got the new Miata. now back in a 2021 ZL1 with the A10 and so far so good. The A10 is more refined and better programmed.

Spiritforce · 08-04-2022, 02:45 PM

Doesn't surprise me that you would get a quote like that on Long Island. I was going to have it done in CT by my dealer as a preventive measure on my 2017 2LT and the quote was $450. I then said I thought I felt some shuddering around 30 to 40mph and he did it for free under warranty.

Spaceme1117 · 08-04-2022, 03:50 PM

Should be easy to confirm or debunk if your wheels are bent. Take the car to a Tire Discounters or such and ask for them to re-balance the wheels and check if they are bent. Won't cost much and a re-balance of the tires/wheels is never a bad idea.

If not problems with the wheels, definitely find another dealership for the trans flush.

Or if you are able, do the flush yourself.

08-03-2022, 09:03 AM	#1
sinlinson 2016 2SS Convertible Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS convertible Join Date: May 2019 Location: NY Posts: 85 View My Garage	A8 shudder/ fluid flush Brought my new to me, SS to the local dealer for the dreaded A8 transmission shudder. The car drives fine at highway speed, but shudders around 20-35 mph. I printed the service bulletin (which I know they love to see), and spoke with the service manager. She said it may be covered under my certified used car warranty, but wasn't sure. Which means it's not covered. Said it would be $695 for the fluid flush if I had to pay. Got a call at the end of the day saying they didn't do the flush because 3 of my wheels are bent. I know anything is possible, but how could I have 3 bent rims and the car drive perfectly at 80 mph? They want $160/ wheel to straighten, then they will diagnose the transmission. Sound reasonable? I took the car home untouched. __________________ Last edited by sinlinson; 08-22-2022 at 01:46 PM.

08-03-2022, 10:32 AM	#4
arpad_m Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 11,573 View My Garage	If wheels were bent, especially 3 of the 4, you'd clearly feel vibration at various speeds, ie the car may feel fine at 80 mph but then vibrate at 45 or 50 mph. Guess what they're trying to tell (sell) you is that what you thought was shudder is shudder plus problematic wheels. This isn't impossible, assuming that you aren't 100% sure what the symptoms of trans shudder are, but I would definitely have these claims verified by another shop or dealership, without sharing this info beforehand of course. __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS — G7E MX0 NPP F55 IO6 735 rwhp \| 665 rwtq Magnuson TVS 2300 80mm pulley \| Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers \| JRE smooth idle terminator cam \| LT4 FS & injectors \| TSP forged pistons & rods JMS PowerMAX \| DSX flex fuel kit \| Roto-Fab CAI \| Soler 95mm LT5 TB \| 1LE wheels \| 1LE brakes \| BMR rear cradle lockout \| JRE custom tune 1100 - 1/30/18 \| 2000 - 1/31/18 3000 - 2/06/18 TPW 2/26/18 3400 - 2/19/18 \| 3800 - 2/26/18 4300 - 2/27/18 \| 4B00 - 3/01/18 4200 - 3/05/18 \| 4800 - 3/14/18 5000 - 3/16/18 \| 6000 - 3/19/18

08-03-2022, 10:58 AM	#5
raptor5244 Drives: 2022 CT4-V Blackwing Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 2,723	FWIW, my 2016 2SS shudder was only noticeable on the highway as it would switch between V4 and V8 mode. __________________ 2002 Corvette Z06 - Black - Sold 2013 Camaro SS 1LE - Black - M6 - Sold 2016 Camaro SS - Mosaic Black - A8 - Sold 2017 C7 Stingray - M7 Coupe - Sold 2019 C7 Grand Sport M7 Vert - Sold 2021 Camaro ZL1 - Black - A10 - Sold 2019 Tesla Model 3 2022 CT4-V Blackwing - M6

08-03-2022, 09:21 AM	#2
ckt227 Drives: CHEVROLET CORVETTE Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: SWFL Posts: 513	Not reasonable at all. Why did they even look at the wheels when you told them about the shudder, makes no sense. Find another dealer or independent mechanic. $600 plus for a fluid flush is BS! I had the shudder in my 2015 C7. It was so bad they had to swap out the torque converter as well as replace fluid(s). Lucky for me it was covered under the original warranty. Can't imagine that finalized bill. Good luck.

08-03-2022, 10:08 AM	#3
jamala00 Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS Hyper Blue Metallic Join Date: May 2020 Location: WI Posts: 2,451	Sounds like they are trying to royally screw you over. I'd take it to another dealer.

08-03-2022, 11:08 AM	#6
ctrlz Drives: 2017 2SS, 50th pkg, M6, MRC, NPP Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Ocean City, NJ Posts: 3,172	Do you have the service write-up? How did they determine wheels were "bent?" Visual inspection, spin balance??? A small nick in a wheel does not mean it's bent. And what exactly is this straightening process they are proposing?

08-03-2022, 11:51 AM	#7
plus1zero Don't tread on me Drives: 23 Sierra X31, Past 2017 Fifty 2SS Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: United States Posts: 845	The A8 shudder ain't no joke. Every GM I've had with an 8 speed has had it at one point or another

08-03-2022, 01:52 PM	#8
dmcmahan60 Drives: 2017 SS Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Arab, AL Posts: 755 View My Garage	Find another dealership to go to!

08-03-2022, 03:39 PM	#10
Hotwheeltat Drives: 2020 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Florida Posts: 107	Why don't you think the wheels could be bent? Just cause it's shiny doesn't mean the previous owner knew how to drive. I would be looking to the selling dealer for some help if you bought it certified depending on how long you have had it in your possession.

08-04-2022, 02:45 PM	#13
Spiritforce Drives: Chevrolet Camaro 2017 2LT RS Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: CT Posts: 4	Doesn't surprise me that you would get a quote like that on Long Island. I was going to have it done in CT by my dealer as a preventive measure on my 2017 2LT and the quote was $450. I then said I thought I felt some shuddering around 30 to 40mph and he did it for free under warranty.

08-04-2022, 03:50 PM	#14
Spaceme1117 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS, 2011 Corvette GS Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Erlanger, Kentucky 41018 Posts: 814	Should be easy to confirm or debunk if your wheels are bent. Take the car to a Tire Discounters or such and ask for them to re-balance the wheels and check if they are bent. Won't cost much and a re-balance of the tires/wheels is never a bad idea. If not problems with the wheels, definitely find another dealership for the trans flush. Or if you are able, do the flush yourself.

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