Who likes their 8 Speed?

jetfixer737 · March 28, 2017

GM's 8L90 speed was designed during their bankruptcy panic and needing a bailout, and I think the product's performance shows...

I'd love to be a fly on the wall in the offices of the 8L90 team to see if the engineers think they did a wonderful job on it, or are ashamed to be associated with it. Based on my own career experiences, I would be willing to bet they know there are problems with it, and the hardware guys are blaming the software guys, and the software guys are blaming the hardware guys. Software is always used to patch hardware, because its cheaper.

The last time I had my truck in service at the selling dealership I had a conversation with both the lead trans tech, and my favorite service writer. They both agreed with all the problems they've seen with the 8L90, clearly GM didn't take the time to fully sort this transmission out and instead rushed it into production to "let the consumers test it for them. "

I had mistakenly assumed GM adapted the Corvette 8 speed to bolt up to the engine at one end and accept a transfer case at the other, but the trans tech informed me that actually it has the same internals as the Vette 8 speed, but it's an entirely new case.

As for the Hardware vs Software debate, they told me despite the MANY service visits they've had for the 8L90, so far only ONE transmission has been replaced. (At that dealership) Over time they've discovered the mechanicals are actually pretty robust. It's the software side of the house that dropped the ball on this one.

Oh, and by the way, in my first entry in this topic I said my 1-2 clunk had improved... Disregard. It's getting worse again.

mookdoc6 · March 28, 2017

The last time I had my truck in service at the selling dealership I had a conversation with both the lead trans tech, and my favorite service writer. They both agreed with all the problems they've seen with the 8L90, clearly GM didn't take the time to fully sort this transmission out and instead rushed it into production to "let the consumers test it for them. "

I had mistakenly assumed GM adapted the Corvette 8 speed to bolt up to the engine at one end and accept a transfer case at the other, but the trans tech informed me that actually it has the same internals as the Vette 8 speed, but it's an entirely new case.

As for the Hardware vs Software debate, they told me despite the MANY service visits they've had for the 8L90, so far only ONE transmission has been replaced. (At that dealership) Over time they've discovered the mechanicals are actually pretty robust. It's the software side of the house that dropped the ball on this one.

Yes, you are correct the Housing are different for obvious reasons and internals are same. The 8L90 is EXTREMELY ROBOUST crazy your not going to break it! The programming is another story.....The guy working next to me has a brand new RAM 8speed......he hates it! never gets in 8th and can never decide what gear to be in.........I also drove a 8speed 300C in the mountains/ steep grades....guess what it sucked the 5-6-7-8 was freaking joke!

Oh, and by the way, in my first entry in this topic I said my 1-2 clunk had improved... Disregard. It's getting worse again.

Bikemobile · March 30, 2017

My 17' 5.3 8 speed is working great at 6000 miles. It has an occasional wierd clunk between 1-5 mph when turning.

Otherwise it is great.

muhsfink07 · March 30, 2017

after my most recent software update it is def better but i still think im feeling the TC issue. I'm just sick and tired of dinking around with this... on a seperate and totally unrelated note i installed bilsteins 5100's on all 4 corners and it handles like a dream now!

mookdoc6 · March 30, 2017

after my most recent software update it is def better but i still think im feeling the TC issue. I'm just sick and tired of dinking around with this... on a seperate and totally unrelated note i installed bilsteins 5100's on all 4 corners and it handles like a dream now!

Did you do anything I told you too? Be honest....Also, I am looking at 5100's for all 4 too and do you think it's harsh, firm softer etc. would you recommend 5100's. Thanks!

muhsfink07 · March 30, 2017

mook its honestly 95% better so I never took it to the other dealer. i dont have that much time in my day. Im taking off for a whole week in mid april over good friday so i might meander my way into the other dealer then to take a look at it. as far as the bilsteins they are firmer but also not firmer. its tough to explain. hitting speed bumps the truck doesn't bottom out like it used to which would make it seem like it is softer however you feel more minor road imperfections which would make you think that they are firmer, its not harsh at all. very little body roll compared to the stock ranchos and almost zero squat or dive. honestly it drives like a 50K truck should have from the factory. money well spent in my opinion.

mookdoc6 · March 30, 2017

mook its honestly 95% better so I never took it to the other dealer. i dont have that much time in my day. Im taking off for a whole week in mid april over good friday so i might meander my way into the other dealer then to take a look at it. as far as the bilsteins they are firmer but also not firmer. its tough to explain. hitting speed bumps the truck doesn't bottom out like it used to which would make it seem like it is softer however you feel more minor road imperfections which would make you think that they are firmer, its not harsh at all. very little body roll compared to the stock ranchos and almost zero squat or dive. honestly it drives like a 50K truck should have from the factory. money well spent in my opinion.

Great that's what I am looking for! Give the Tranny more time than you would like and do spend the couple hundred bucks and flush/fill it! Money well spent!

bgmspd · April 4, 2017

So I've been reading this since I got my 2016 1500 with the 6.2l and 8 speed. Has anyone had any luck with GM buying back their vehicle because of the transmission issue?

Mine has been in the shop a bunch of times now all for re-learns and updates with no resolution. Just trying to figure out my options.

Thanks.

JacobC1983 · April 4, 2017

I didn't get a buy back, my dealer worked for me with GM and I got trade assistance for my 2015 to a 2016 with the 5.3L and 6 speed transmission. The trade assistance made the new truck free.

bgmspd · April 5, 2017

Thanks for the reply. I don't know if that's gonna be an option for me, as I'll be honest, I don't plan on getting another chevy at this point. Mine is a lease and I'd be happy if they just took their vehicle back and called it a day.

Jtodd · April 7, 2017

So I've been reading this since I got my 2016 1500 with the 6.2l and 8 speed. Has anyone had any luck with GM buying back their vehicle because of the transmission issue?

Mine has been in the shop a bunch of times now all for re-learns and updates with no resolution. Just trying to figure out my options.

Thanks.

Jtodd · April 7, 2017

Check your local lemon law...I live in Texas and had many issues with my 6.2 liter 8 speed...don't know if you've read my posts but I went through hell the 1st year of ownership. 10 visits to dealership 2 new transmissions 4 new torque converters and TCM modules a total of 58 days in dealership for repairs. I never gave up and documented everything...I was able to get a check back from GMC for 8k....I hired a lemon law attorney 3 months after demand letter was sent to GMC...I had my check in the mail!!!GMC tried to low ball me and only offered 3k back but the lawyer was able to get it up to the 8k..I got to keep the truck the 8k I guess you could say was for all the trouble and headaches I endured that year..I have since traded it...no more GMC!!!!!!!

rtr16 · April 7, 2017

My 2016 5.3L 8 speed has been great so far.

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bgmspd · April 7, 2017

I was hoping to avoid that route. And as of now I've been told that replacing the transmission won't fix anything and that it's a program issue. But no one will put that in writing or take any additional steps to correct the problem. Just frustrating. This is the first Chevy in a long time for me, wife has had nothing but Tahoe's (with no problems) and I have to say it will be the last Chevy, probably for a long time. I've never had to take a vehicle in for warranty work ever in my life until this truck and I've been driving for almost 30 years.

Jtodd · April 8, 2017

Ohhhhhh....I forgot to mention that some engineer from GMC flew in to work on my truck on 2 separate accounts. And they still couldn't fix it!!!!!!!!!!!