Problems with the manual gearboxes in the VE Commodores

hows an issue with the manual box gears supposed to show up on the computer? just curious....

 

I realise mine is a different box (T56 vs the Aisin unit in the V6s) but my gearbox(es) kept chewing synchros, giving me the symptoms you're talking about. My understanding is that dealerships do not open up the gearboxes when there is an issue under warranty, they send it back and fit you with a new one (takes about a week normally to get the box in - I'm on my 5th and this one has lasted me longer than the others, so fingers crossed). A fault like that won't show up on the tech 2 - my suggestion is to take to another dealership and see if they will (a) give you the time of day and (b) see if they can replicate the issue. Also, take a tech, or preferably the foreman, for a drive and show them what's happening. But it would be a good idea to try and suss out exactly what situations cause the box to stick (ie does it happen cold, at running temp, stop-start driving, harder acceleration, etc). That will give you your best chance at being able to replicate the issue for the service team. Also, if you need a decent stretch of road for the issue to raise it's head, do a bit of research and find the appropriate road near the dealership BEFORE taking the car in. The more assertive (not aggressive) that you come across, the more likely they are to take notice.

Did the dealership you've been taking it to even drive it or just plug the tech 2 in? I understand that they will have difficulty diagnosing anything if they can't replicate the issue, but locking out of gears on the V8 models is quite common - haven't heard so many issues happening with the Aisin box though.

 

LOL @ Computer not having any codes. That right there is a good reason to take it to another dealer.

Is it under warranty? How many kilometers has it done?

 

How many km's has your car done. I had a similar issue with mine for the first 1000km. I'm now at 1700km and it feels like it is getting better. Could possibly be due to me getting used to driving a manual again.

 

I'd recomend sticking a tube of PTFE treatment in it. ( NULON geabox, diff and transmission treatment. I bet it would make a huge difference
Only cost you 16 bucks for a 125ml tube. or around 25 bucks for a 250ml tube

 

I think it's just the way it's made, Mine is like that, if your at the right speed it goes into second alot easier, same as when your changing back down. It's worse trying to stick it into first if your going too fast, like if it's a safety feature for people accidentally putting it into first at high speeds.

For example if I'm 50 meters from my driveway and in 3rd I just put the clutch in but it's near impossible to put into first until you get down to a low speed. Even though I'm not going to let the clutch out and rev the crap out of it

 

REALLY, PTFE treatment. Try it.
If you ignore this then I'l keep reminding you till you do.
I'm curious to see the Synchro's from one.

I've just rebuilt the T5 for my Auto to manual conversion and the T5 uses brass Synchro's only on the tapered cone side instead of them being brass they have the fibre layer jike you would find on a wet clutch, auto trans.
Gm service manual makes it clear to use ATF fluid and not geabox oil but it must have the PTFE / then called LUBRIZOL additive.
I haven't seen inside the T56 but I cant imagine they would "re-invent the wheel"
Even if they are now using a gear oil then still I would put the treatment in.
I added the treatment and fluid to the T5 before putting it in the car As I have a spare yolk to plug the tail shaft seal.
Before the treatment it was quite sticky and hard to change. I added the treatment and used a drill to turn the gearbox shaft and take it through the gears for a good mix in time and could now change without the force it took
prior. + reverse became acheivable at first try.
(this was without the gear stick bolted to it) with bench testing.
All and any gear tooth noise and bearing noise completely vanish.
(not that the bearings were bad, they just got even better.)

 

Where do you get it from? I'll try it. Something else I can stuff around with on the car lol

 

It should be at any car spares store. NULON G70 MANUAL GEARBOX&DIFF TREATMENT.
Read the fine print and they say good for auto trans/ or when using trans fluid!
and also safe for LSD diffs. It would eliminate any of the friction in the diff to.
Obviously diffs have gear oil in them to lube but this stuff blends in with it real nice.
I tried a drop of this with a teaspoon ful amount of grease to add to the gears in a reduction drive starter motor. Before and after difference is amazing.
Runs smooth as silk on a bench test too. Better than a new one from the box.

By the way there's no profit in it for me. (no commision )
I'm just trying to help out. So the proof is in the pudding as they say. Its a cheap test that cant hurt!

 

So is this for only automatic transmission ? Not manual ?

 

Both any and all and diff.
I'm coming up with extra usages for it all the time. But as I texted above. "NULON G70 GEARBOX& DIFF TREATMENT" is on the tube you buy
with more info in small writing. Manual gearbox, auto transmission, differencial, anything with gears, bearings, wet clutches, moving parts that have to put up with metel to metal contact and friction that you dont want.
I can take a PIC of the tube I have in front of me if you want. Is there any rules against doing that? (wouldn't want to let people think I was adv. it)
It's only to help you out.

 

Miss12TAME,
i have a series 2 SV6 ute and was having problems some times crunching the gears.
I decided to replace/bleed the clutch hydraulic system and when bleeding the clutch slave cylinder a lot of air bubbles came out (i:e , there was air in the system)
After doing this the clutch now disengages higher up in the pedal stroke ( clutch operating as it should)
It now changes gears with the best of them (Jap cars)
It should do, its a Japanese made gearbox they use in Lexus

 

Comment moved to correct thread. Apologies.

 

That's alright I can probably find it, don't want you getting in trouble for putting pictures up ha ha.

So where does it go? Straight into gear box? Less is better ?

 

had exactly the same prob when I had an Omega manual years ago. Same rubbery box. V8 box is much better. Unfortunately not much you can do

 

YEP, additive goes straight into gearbox. take out the side plug and fill.
If thats a pest to get to for you.
take off the gearstick selector. and pour in through there. then put the selector back on. Be hard to drive without it
Take for a spin and do it after the car has been warmed up.

 

Would it be better to open up the gearbox and put it right on in there? Or will it flow through everything anyway, is that nulon stuff a paste or liquid ? I'll try it today

 

Its a liquid. The thickness of engine oil.
I use a small bottle and mix it with the oil that I'm going to put in.
You may need to drain off some of the gear oil in there. If the oil comes out red its trans fluid.
Again I haven't done a T56. I'd be surprised if it had gear oil instead of trans fluid. (I will make it clear that I know it is a manual gearbox)
Would pay to check up what's used for the T56 from the service manual. The oil will make all the difference too if they have put the wrong stuff in.
I know it should be right if it's done by the dealer BUT, is it a qualified mechanic working on the car when its serviced or an apprentice?
However if your gonna take it for a spin straight up it would be fine to squeeze the tube straight in.