PIP#3932 - Sept.29, 2006 - Slipping clutches, Broken Axles

[my_bd]

Found this on the Cobalt forums:
(note that it is not a Techncal Service Bulletin)

Document ID# 1864872
Subject: Transmission fluid Leak Slipping Clutch Or Broken Axle Shaft - keywords crack housing shift slip #PIP3932 - (09/29/2006)

Models: 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt SS
2004-2007 Saturn Ion Redline

Equipped with a 5-Speed Manual Transmission (RPO MU3)

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern:
Some customers have commented about transmission oil in the clutch housing, slipping clutches or broken axle shafts on this model. An analysis of several of these failures has revealed that the problem is due to excessive front wheel hop during WOT acceleration events.

Excessive wheel hop transmits a torsional shock load into the transmission case. This causes the case to crack and transmission fluid to leak into the clutch housing. See photos below.

Recommendation/Instructions:
Stiffer axle shafts and hardware will change the system harmonics and help prevent wheel hop. These planned changes will not be available until the 2008 model year.

Note:: Be advised that failures of this nature are abuse. They are NOT defects in materials or workmanship for which General Motors would be responsible and should not be covered under the terms of the new vehicle warranty. Vehicles with this complaint should be inspected by the dealer and Area Vehicle Manager. A product report should be submitted on each.

[socalsilverRL]

sh-t my tranny is totally leaking...by the looks of this they are trying to keep me out of the service bay before i get there...

[nduchene]

great, they acknowledge the problem, and then say 'by the way, they're abusing their cars cause the wheel are hopping, so make sure you charge them for it'

[Sp00ner]

Originally Posted by nduchene

great, they acknowledge the problem, and then say 'by the way, they're abusing their cars cause the wheel are hopping, so make sure you charge them for it'

They're not acknowledging a problem, they're showing the techs how to diagnose abuse of the trany....

[XeroState]

Exactly, it isn't really a "problem", more of a warning of what certain complaints are from so they don't lose money on warranty work that wasn't a warranty issue to begin with.

And while daily driving my car normally I have never experienced wheel hop, so they in my opinion are right. [Now that is not saying I have never experienced wheel hop..lol]

[KSC]

if anyone needed another reason for Bwoody....

[Shabodah]

Although I do see this as a bit of a "heads-up" for the techs to look for signs of abuse, it does seem strange that it also includes details on future plans to fix the issue. That seems to be some acknowledgement, anyway. Many times the tech bulletins will be split, one with the parts about abuse, and one seemingly completely separate about the future fix.

[pclear9061]

man i love you ... thats what im going in for ... maybe i dont have to buy a new clutch then

[RL-2005]

this document is screwing you over pclear

[LSJ PUP]

Well, this could be the problem I am having. Clutch is slipping. If this is the problem:

""This causes the case to crack and transmission fluid to leak into the clutch housing.""

How much is a repair like this going to cost?