[1ssa_camaro]

Hey guys my car has had the A8 shudder for a while. I currently have long tube headers, e85, and intake with a tune. Will the dealer void my shudder fix? It doesn’t really bother me, but was wondering if it can be harmful to my transmission or if it can affect the cars performance? If it does, I’ll just take it to the dealer and get it fixed.

[Azerlazer26]

To be honest it really comes down to the dealership. I know of some who will straight up refuse any warranty work because you have a simple mod. In general, you should be ok and have 0 issues with getting a warranty claim.

As far as the shudder goes, it can cause damage to your torque converter. If it’s damaged enough the dealer will replace the TQ/Fluid. Most cases the fluid flush does the trick.

[Puddin]

Just get an aftermarket converter and be done with it.

[Memphis SS]

Converter alone will not fix the issue, the trans needs the correct fluid. Go by the dealer and just ask your service writer to check the issues and provide the service bulletin. Tell him you’re only approving warranty work to call if any additional repairs are needed and let them find the mods and see if they think it voids the warranty service.

[HCI2000SS]

You had the shudder before you did all the mods or after? I assume it's tuned as well?

[1ssa_camaro]

I’ve had it before the mods. It’s still the same. I’ve had it around 8k miles, I’m at 13k now, and It hasn’t felt worse. Feels the same. I’m only caring about it now because I want to know if it can affect the cars performance

[ctrlz]

Originally Posted by 1ssa_camaro

Hey guys my car has had the A8 shudder for a while. I currently have long tube headers, e85, and intake with a tune. Will the dealer void my shudder fix? It doesn’t really bother me, but was wondering if it can be harmful to my transmission or if it can affect the cars performance? If it does, I’ll just take it to the dealer and get it fixed.

There is a very specific procedure for the dealer to follow. I posted a link to it in another thread. You complain about the shudder, then they use special equipment to detect vibration at a specific frequency under road test conditions to confirm the TC is the source of the problem. Your mods should have no effect.
I would print out the TSB and show the dealer.
As others have reported, the shudder does not go away or get better. More likely it will permanently damage the clutches in your converter.
I think people get hung up on the idea that it is fluid that is defective, and therefore must not be a big deal.

[Trochoidal]

Originally Posted by 1ssa_camaro

Hey guys my car has had the A8 shudder for a while. I currently have long tube headers, e85, and intake with a tune. Will the dealer void my shudder fix? It doesn’t really bother me, but was wondering if it can be harmful to my transmission or if it can affect the cars performance? If it does, I’ll just take it to the dealer and get it fixed.

If they don’t honor the TSB under warranty because of mods, I’d suggest to pay for the service or change fluid yourself. It would probably take 3 fluid changes if you did it yourself. At $10 per quart, filter and gasket it might be cheaper for them to do the flush.

24 quarts of fluid (Mobil 1 124715 Synthetic LV ATF HP) @ $10 = $240
3 filters (TF922) @ $24 each = $72
3 gaskets (24260071) @ $27 each = $81

$393 total

[ItsChristianInHD]

It depends if you have a cool dealership or friends that work there. I have friends at dealerships and that’s how I got lucky.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by 1ssa_camaro

I’ve had it before the mods. It’s still the same. I’ve had it around 8k miles, I’m at 13k now, and It hasn’t felt worse. Feels the same. I’m only caring about it now because I want to know if it can affect the cars performance

Your strategy is going to backfire, once the shudder gets tangibly worse, most of the friction material will have eroded from your torque converter clutches and you'll have a harder time getting the converter replaced under warranty. Go get the flush done ASAP.

Originally Posted by ctrlz

There is a very specific procedure for the dealer to follow. I posted a link to it in another thread. You complain about the shudder, then they use special equipment to detect vibration at a specific frequency under road test conditions to confirm the TC is the source of the problem. Your mods should have no effect.
I would print out the TSB and show the dealer.
As others have reported, the shudder does not go away or get better. More likely it will permanently damage the clutches in your converter.
I think people get hung up on the idea that it is fluid that is defective, and therefore must not be a big deal.

+1

Here is the TSB: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...63890-9999.pdf. This latest edition specifically states that no validation beyond the customer complaint is required, ie the dealership should do it and be able to get reimbursed by GM because you say so.

One final note, the A8 without the shudder (and especially when tuned) is a fine transmission, it's worth the mild hassle of working with the service department or finding a good one.

[TP2SS]

Just to clarify some comments made here, look at the date breakpoint in the TSB. If your car was made AFTER that date, the dealer DOES have to do the validation testing. If made between SOP (start of production) and that date breakpoint, your word is all that’s required.

Just had mine done with 4K miles. Told the dealer it was doing it intermittently (it wasn’t). They said they had to test drive to verify. I pointed out the wording of the TSB. They did the TSB. It’s about $450 if you have to pay for the fluid swap yourself (dealer, not diy). You may have waited too long, damage may be done. Hopefully they’ll do the TSB despite the mods, and replace the TC too, if required.

[MANNAXMAN]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

Your strategy is going to backfire, once the shudder gets tangibly worse, most of the friction material will have eroded from your torque converter clutches and you'll have a harder time getting the converter replaced under warranty. Go get the flush done ASAP.



+1

Here is the TSB: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...63890-9999.pdf. This latest edition specifically states that no validation beyond the customer complaint is required, ie the dealership should do it and be able to get reimbursed by GM because you say so.

One final note, the A8 without the shudder (and especially when tuned) is a fine transmission, it's worth the mild hassle of working with the service department or finding a good one.

Despite what the TSB says about no diagnosis being required, YMMV depending on the dealership. I took mine to the two dealerships closest to me, and neither would perform the flush without first diagnosing it. I called GM Customer Service, and they sided with the dealerships.

[ctrlz]

Here is a link to the verification procedure performed by the dealer:
https://gm-techlink.com/?p=11127

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by MANNAXMAN

Despite what the TSB says about no diagnosis being required, YMMV depending on the dealership. I took mine to the two dealerships closest to me, and neither would perform the flush without first diagnosing it. I called GM Customer Service, and they sided with the dealerships.

Not much of a surprise, unfortunately. Dealerships that are actually in the business of customer retention are the only saving grace for GM on this issue.