Second Gear Crunch on Tremec T56's

jfearh · 08-22-2019, 09:05 AM

Hey Guys,

On my 2018 Camaro LS with a 6 Speed (Tremec T56's), often when i get in to second gear from first, i get this crunching sound (not grinding). Sometimes it goes in to second really smooth but other times it gives me that feeling where the shift is not terribly hard but not so smooth either. It is hard to explain, it is not a pain in the ass to switch gear but i can tell its different than switching to any other gear specialty when it comes with that crunching sound. It has 2000 miles, not sure if i should take this to the dealer or test drive another one to see if thats a normal occurrence?

Peelam · 08-22-2019, 09:18 AM

Mine does the same thing in 2nd and sometimes 3rd. Never really found a solution. Dealer was not helpful besides if they were to replace the blocker rings they would use the OEM hybrid one that are already in there. From what I have researched and read its most likely due to the 2nd gear blocker rings.

I've heard changing the tranny fluid helps. I've used Amsoil Torque Drive in mine before. It was a bit better but needed some warranty work done and switched it back to the OEM fluid.

I would love to find an inexpensive solution to this issue now that mine has 54,000 miles. I have looked into the parts to rebuild the tranny with full carbon rings for gears 1-4 and bearings and what not. Runs about a grand for all the parts I was looking at. I included the syncro assemblies for 1-2 & 3-4. So just for blocker rings and bearings its about $700.

JT58 · 08-22-2019, 09:34 AM

Mine does not crunch at all going from 1st to 2nd. It's a 2016, just hitting 8K miles. The Camaro has a shorter throw clutch than some cars I have owned and driven. Have to make sure the clutch is all the way in before you shift. When I shift this way and do not rush the shifts, it shift quite nice.

jfearh · 08-22-2019, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JT58

Mine does not crunch at all going from 1st to 2nd. It's a 2016, just hitting 8K miles. The Camaro has a shorter throw clutch than some cars I have owned and driven. Have to make sure the clutch is all the way in before you shift. When I shift this way and do not rush the shifts, it shift quite nice.

oh yours doesnt crunch at all, i really have to ease it to second gear then the sound is less of a crunch. Should I have the dealership take a look in to it?

JT58 · 08-22-2019, 01:41 PM

It could just be tight. You are covered under warranty so you could drive it another few K miles and see if it loosens up. Mine does not crunch but seems to be getting smoother and easier with more miles. Or you could bring it in just to let them hear the noise though and have the visit documented if it gets any worse. I probably would bring it in just for peace of mind.

Peelam · 08-22-2019, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfearh

oh yours doesnt crunch at all, i really have to ease it to second gear then the sound is less of a crunch. Should I have the dealership take a look in to it?

I hope your experience at the dealer is better than mine. Took mine to 2 different dealers on 3 occasions and both said there was no problems found. Last visit they changed the tranny fluid for free just to get me to leave. If they do find and/or fix the issue I would love to know how they fixed it. I'm still under my powertrain warranty till 100k(Certified pre-owned).

If all they do is change the tranny fluid it will be fine for a day or two then the crunching will come back. That's been my experience with it.

DorkMissile · 08-22-2019, 03:12 PM

Two things you can do - switch to a better fluid than the OEM fluid. Some use Royal Purple Syncromax or Amsoil Signature Series. I have tried both and think the Amsoil is a little better.

Both fluids are very thin - its almost the thinner the better.

I would still give it time - my trans took until 10-11k miles to start feeling decent. As with any other Tremec - shift it deliberately. It will never be the kind of trans where they “fall into gear”

FYI - the trans that comes in these cars are Tremec TR6060. Pretty stout transmissions.

protovack · 08-23-2019, 01:53 AM

its a tremec 3160 in the V6 and turbo cars.
what rpm are you shifting into second at?
If its too low you can get a grinding or it just won't sync up.
Try a few shifts at 3-4k rpm and see if it still does it.

JT58 · 08-23-2019, 06:45 AM

Royal Purple and Amsoil are exceptional for all fluids and my experience with their transmission fluids is excellent. Shifting always improved no matter the transmission-in trucks, Jeep Wranglers my MazdaSpeed 3 and my 2011 Camaro SS.

jfearh · 08-23-2019, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by protovack

its a tremec 3160 in the V6 and turbo cars.
what rpm are you shifting into second at?
If its too low you can get a grinding or it just won't sync up.
Try a few shifts at 3-4k rpm and see if it still does it.

its the opposite, when i shift between 1k to 2k rpm, the shift is smooth. 2k and higher there is a crunch sound, not grinding.

c4racer · 08-23-2019, 09:10 AM

I am running the GM OEM fluid in both of my tremec's - one in the 2016 and a magnum in my 71. They both crunch a little when cold, but not once they get warmed up unless you shift too quickly. It's not a speed shift trans that is for sure.

my 2016 manual says to use PN 88861800, so that's what I put in at around 5K miles.

The dealer that sold me the magnum recommends royal purple or GM syncromesh so I used the GM fluid.
I assume you can also use that in our 6th gen Tremec's, but since I'm under warranty I stuck with what's in the manual for now.

jfearh · 08-23-2019, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c4racer

I am running the GM OEM fluid in both of my tremec's - one in the 2016 and a magnum in my 71. They both crunch a little when cold, but not once they get warmed up unless you shift too quickly. It's not a speed shift trans that is for sure.

my 2016 manual says to use PN 88861800, so that's what I put in at around 5K miles.

The dealer that sold me the magnum recommends royal purple or GM syncromesh so I used the GM fluid.
I assume you can also use that in our 6th gen Tremec's, but since I'm under warranty I stuck with what's in the manual for now.

so is it ok for it to crunch when shifting quick? it happens to me only if i shift quick or shifting in high rpm. Is it causing any damage?

c4racer · 08-23-2019, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfearh

so is it ok for it to crunch when shifting quick? it happens to me only if i shift quick or shifting in high rpm. Is it causing any damage?

that doesn't cause damage that I know of. Even the TKO does that too.
I had a TKO500 for 8 years in a 3rd gen Camaro and did the same thing, it's a Pretty common tremec trait in my experience.

jfearh · 08-23-2019, 12:12 PM

at 0.36 you will hear the sound, usually when i shift fast,its louder than this

08-22-2019, 09:05 AM	#1
jfearh Drives: 2018 Camaro LS / 2018 Equinox LS Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: GA Posts: 64	Second Gear Crunch on Tremec T56's Hey Guys, On my 2018 Camaro LS with a 6 Speed (Tremec T56's), often when i get in to second gear from first, i get this crunching sound (not grinding). Sometimes it goes in to second really smooth but other times it gives me that feeling where the shift is not terribly hard but not so smooth either. It is hard to explain, it is not a pain in the ass to switch gear but i can tell its different than switching to any other gear specialty when it comes with that crunching sound. It has 2000 miles, not sure if i should take this to the dealer or test drive another one to see if thats a normal occurrence?

08-22-2019, 09:18 AM	#2
Peelam Drives: 2016 Camaro 1SS, Jet Black, M6 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Port St Lucie, Florida Posts: 61	Mine does the same thing in 2nd and sometimes 3rd. Never really found a solution. Dealer was not helpful besides if they were to replace the blocker rings they would use the OEM hybrid one that are already in there. From what I have researched and read its most likely due to the 2nd gear blocker rings. I've heard changing the tranny fluid helps. I've used Amsoil Torque Drive in mine before. It was a bit better but needed some warranty work done and switched it back to the OEM fluid. I would love to find an inexpensive solution to this issue now that mine has 54,000 miles. I have looked into the parts to rebuild the tranny with full carbon rings for gears 1-4 and bearings and what not. Runs about a grand for all the parts I was looking at. I included the syncro assemblies for 1-2 & 3-4. So just for blocker rings and bearings its about $700. __________________ 2016 Camaro 1SS \| M6 \| Jet Black \| Roto-Fab Dry w/SND Tube Delete \| AWE Touring Cat-Back Exhaust

08-22-2019, 09:34 AM	#3
JT58 Drives: Former 2016 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 760	Mine does not crunch at all going from 1st to 2nd. It's a 2016, just hitting 8K miles. The Camaro has a shorter throw clutch than some cars I have owned and driven. Have to make sure the clutch is all the way in before you shift. When I shift this way and do not rush the shifts, it shift quite nice. __________________ 2006 C6 Corvette Manual, 2019 Silverado, 1997 Jeep Wrangler

08-22-2019, 01:41 PM	#5
JT58 Drives: Former 2016 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 760	It could just be tight. You are covered under warranty so you could drive it another few K miles and see if it loosens up. Mine does not crunch but seems to be getting smoother and easier with more miles. Or you could bring it in just to let them hear the noise though and have the visit documented if it gets any worse. I probably would bring it in just for peace of mind. __________________ 2006 C6 Corvette Manual, 2019 Silverado, 1997 Jeep Wrangler

08-22-2019, 03:12 PM	#7
DorkMissile Drives: 18 1SS 1LE HyperBlue Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 612	Two things you can do - switch to a better fluid than the OEM fluid. Some use Royal Purple Syncromax or Amsoil Signature Series. I have tried both and think the Amsoil is a little better. Both fluids are very thin - its almost the thinner the better. I would still give it time - my trans took until 10-11k miles to start feeling decent. As with any other Tremec - shift it deliberately. It will never be the kind of trans where they “fall into gear” FYI - the trans that comes in these cars are Tremec TR6060. Pretty stout transmissions. __________________ 2018 1SS 1LE / HBM - ECS Novi 1500 S/C Tuned by Carl @ CJ Tunes

08-23-2019, 01:53 AM	#8
protovack Drives: 2019 2LT 2.0T M6 Riverside Blue Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: WA Posts: 847	its a tremec 3160 in the V6 and turbo cars. what rpm are you shifting into second at? If its too low you can get a grinding or it just won't sync up. Try a few shifts at 3-4k rpm and see if it still does it.

08-23-2019, 06:45 AM	#9
JT58 Drives: Former 2016 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 760	Royal Purple and Amsoil are exceptional for all fluids and my experience with their transmission fluids is excellent. Shifting always improved no matter the transmission-in trucks, Jeep Wranglers my MazdaSpeed 3 and my 2011 Camaro SS. __________________ 2006 C6 Corvette Manual, 2019 Silverado, 1997 Jeep Wrangler

08-23-2019, 09:10 AM	#11
c4racer Drives: 2016 SS Convertible Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: California Posts: 1,108	I am running the GM OEM fluid in both of my tremec's - one in the 2016 and a magnum in my 71. They both crunch a little when cold, but not once they get warmed up unless you shift too quickly. It's not a speed shift trans that is for sure. my 2016 manual says to use PN 88861800, so that's what I put in at around 5K miles. The dealer that sold me the magnum recommends royal purple or GM syncromesh so I used the GM fluid. I assume you can also use that in our 6th gen Tremec's, but since I'm under warranty I stuck with what's in the manual for now.

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