GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Vibe Gurus...a question for you

Backgound - 229000 miles - no problems other than replacing the belt tensioner/belt, and Cat Conv.
2003 base, with 5spd. I have had this since it had 115,000 on it, and it has been a great car. Still in VGC overall.

It just started making a growling noise 2 days ago, that seems to be getting louder. No load condition - no noise, accelerating or steady load is when this noise occurs. I plan on staying with a 5spd, as I drive ~350 miles a week. 6spd is not an option.

Am I correct in that the same unit was used from 2003 - 2008, with a change point in the bearing assembly happening after 2006?

I am looking at a 56,000 mile 5spd from a 2007, and am willing to spend the money if this one will work, and not be facing the same type of failure due to a design issue.

Thanks in advance!

Jon

03/04 C59 (5-speeds) are the bad ones. 05-08 should be fine. However, the C60 (6-speed) is cheaper and more reliable. Maybe more readily available, too.

Congrats on getting that much mileage out of the original 5-speed. Did you do any transmission fluid changes since you owned it to prolong it's life. I'll assume since you've been on this site some 8 years that you were aware of this day coming. Let us know of the progress and what tranny you end up getting. Here's to another 200K+ miles on the next tranny

Thanks for the replies. I changed the gear oil out right after purchasing (regular GL5 75-90), and it was on my short list of items to do again. I thought I had dodged the early C59 bearing failure. The goal was 300,000 at least, but all things considered, I got my money's worth out of this unit.
Crazy pricing on the replacement, but it comes with a 1yr warranty and with the mileage being <60,000, and being from the south(not subjected to snow & salt). Still cheaper to do this than replace the car(which I know the maint on), and I think that if I spend a few now, and get two more years out of it, its a cheaper route.
While the C60 is enticing, from a price point, I can't afford to give up the mileage difference, and don't care for the extra shifting.
I will update with how this turns out.
My main concern moving forward(pun intended), was that I get a replacement from the correct model year range, where I would not have any changes to deal with, and with the previously mentioned design change.
Any tips to prep vehicle for unit replacement? Trouble areas to be aware of?

Tranny fluid changes are every 80000km, BTW.

If the 07 is I good shape and isn't crazily priced, get it. Since good c60 6 speeds are like 6-800$, I wouldn't spend more than 10-1200 on a 5 speed

The interesting thing, and somewhat suprising to me, was I drained the gear oil out last night, just to see what type of debris I might find, and filtered it through a white paper towel...and found nothing. I expected some metal or plastic particles. Not sure if there is a magnet inside like the A/Ts have, but still shocked to see nothing other than normal colored gear oil. Put new oil in, and will drive until it gets dramatically worse, or the other trans arrives. Whichever comes first.

This 6-speed keeps the same gas saving top gear ratio:

http://www.monkeywrenchracing.com/produ ... ts_id=1665" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks for the link. I already ordered a 46000 mile 5spd from a 2007. Without having driven one of these modifed 6spds, I'd not like to get be stuck with something the wife, nor I like. We know the 5spd quite well Price on this unit is not bad though. I would have expected a higher price, for what it offers.

455SD wrote:Thanks for the replies. I changed the gear oil out right after purchasing (regular GL5 75-90), and it was on my short list of items to do again. I thought I had dodged the early C59 bearing failure. The goal was 300,000 at least, but all things considered, I got my money's worth out of this unit.

I think GL5 is a NO-NO of these transmissions.

Owners manual specifies either GL4 or GL5 for 2003. Thats what I based it from.

Update: I received the 5spd from a 2007 Vibe last Thursday - came from LKQ. Trans was very clean, and shipped in good condition. Started the install Friday night, and wrapped everything up Sunday night. Luckily, I did not end up breaking any studs, or rounding off any fasteners. Always a concern on a vehicle with 230,002 miles on it
My thanks to those who have posted up the link for the e-manual. This continues to be a very useful resource, as does this Forum.
Thanks genvibe!