The 6T75 transmission is a 6 speed automatic that General Motors introduced for the 2007 model year. It was actually the result of a joint venture with Ford, where the two automotive giants split the development cost. Although the Ford 6F and GM 6T share the same basic architecture, the tuning and many of the internal components are bespoke to each company.
What Transmission Do I Have?
What cars come with 6T75 transmission?
2013 – 2019 Cadillac XTS
2007 – 2009 Buick enclave
2008 – 2009 Chevrolet equinox
2008 – 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
2009 Chevrolet traverse
2007 – 2009 GMC Acadia
2007 – 2009 Pontiac G6
2008 – 2009 Pontiac torrent
2007 – 2009 Saturn Aura
2007 – 2009 Saturn Outlook
2008 – 2009 Saturn Vue
Common 6T75 Problems
One of the most common 6T75E transmission problems is overheating. This happens when the moving parts inside the transmission are creating more friction heat than the ATF can remove. The most common cause of this condition is towing heavy loads, driving in stop/go traffic, or on mountain roads where the transmission has to shift a lot.
Overfilling the transmission with too much ATF can also cause 6T75E transmission overheating, which can lead to ruptured seals, and damaged torque converters, valve bodies, bands, and clutches. An auxiliary transmission cooler can do a lot to help keep the temperature down.
Another common issue with the GM 6T75E transmission is broken wave plates. These metal disks help to lock gears together during a shift. If they break, the metal fragments will get hurled through the gearbox, causing catastrophic damage to other internal components. There isn’t a lot that you can do to prevent this problem, but a remanufactured GMC Acadia transmission can ensure that it won’t happen again.
Click here for a more in-depth look at 6T75 TSBs/technical service bulletins, 6T75 DTCs/diagnostic trouble codes and more.
What to do when 6T75 transmission problems can’t be easily repaired
Buy a Used 6T75 Transmission
If you wanted to save some money, you could go down to the local junkyard and buy a used 6T75 transmission. But keep in mind, it’s coming out of a wrecked otherwise totaled vehicle. This means you don’t know how it was maintained, if it was abused or what the condition of the internal components really are. So you have no way of knowing if you are going to get 30 miles or 30,000 miles out of it. And that replacement warranty you get from the junkyard isn’t going to cover the labor cost that you’ll have to pay a mechanic to install a replacement transmission if the first used 6T75 breaks.
Buy a Rebuilt 6T75 Transmission
If you don’t want to risk future problems from a used transmission, then you might consider buying a rebuilt 6T75 transmission from a mechanic or transmission shop. In this scenario, they basically take your existing transmission and replace all of the main seals clutches and other “wear parts”. A rebuilt 6T75 transmission is obviously better than a used one. However, most mechanics and repair shops don’t have the experience and equipment to inspect every single component for signs of damage, warping and any other condition that might cause the parts to fall below the original manufacturer’s specifications. Plus that rebuilt transmission warranty may only be honored by a few local transmission shops.
Buy a Remanufactured 6T75 Transmission
Unlike a rebuilt 6T75 transmission, a remanufactured 6T75 transmission has been completely disassembled and then re-engineered on an assembly line. Each component is inspected, cleaned, and reconditioned by a technician that specializes in that particular stage of the process. All of the critical elements including the case, gears, valve body, shafts, pumps, and the torque converter are tested to ensure that they meet original equipment (OE) tolerances and standards. And any part that doesn’t meet the original specifications is either machined until it does or replaced with a brand new part.
Once all of the components meet specification, they’re sent down an assembly line and the transmission is reassembled. The reman 6T75 transmission is then put on a dyno machine which simulates real-world driving through a software program called C.A.R.S. This allows any leaks and imperfections to be discovered and dealt with before the transmission leaves the factory.
Another benefit of a remanufactured transmission are the updates and upgrades it receives. Once a certain vehicle model has been in production for a few years, small issues with the design are discovered and solutions are implemented. It may be more robust friction materials, stronger seals, stiffer springs, or number of other things. These changes are immediately applied to the new models still in production, and Technical Service Bulletins (TSB’s) are sent to dealers so they know how to deal with problems that may arise. Transmission remanufacturing companies like Street Smart Transmission also get these TSB’s, and implement the changes on their assembly line as well.
Warranty
We’ve already touched on it above, but given the complexity of this gearbox, it is extremely important that you consider what kind of 6T75 transmission warranty you’re going to get. Fixing a transmission is an extremely expensive affair, and should be treated like an investment. So let’s recap the ways that your investment will be protected:
Buy a used 6T75 transmission: This option has the lowest upfront cost, but it typically only comes with a 30 day – 6 month replacement warranty, which may or may not cover the labor charges if a mechanic has to remove and replace the transmission.
Buy a rebuilt 6T75 transmission: Depending on the competency of the mechanic rebuilding the transmission, this may be a more sensible option. However, a rebuilt transmission warranty is usually honored by just the repair shop/franchise that rebuilt it. So if you’re traveling far from home and suddenly have transmission problems, you might have to pay to fix your transmission yet again.
Buy a remanufactured 6T75 transmission: If you’re serious about keeping your vehicle on the road, then investing in a remanufactured 6T75 transmission is the way to go. If you buy one from Street Smart Transmission, then your investment will be protected with a 3-year/unlimited mile warranty. It covers all parts and labor, and can be used at any licensed repair shop in the continental United States. It’s also transferable should you decide to sell the vehicle. So if you don’t want to worry about unexpected transmission repair bills sneaking up on you again, this is definitely the way to go.
What Transmission Do I Have?
