Hi Dave, my bearing went on the way to work just before Christmas. I was told to stop driving immediately. However I have since heard that although the bearing makes a terrific noise you can continue to use the car but the noise gets even worse. Not sure how true this is but it may be worth checking with Vauxhall if you really need to use it. I flat bedded mine to the garage. I got it back within a week but now I have a wind down noise on de-accelerating - makes me feel I am driving a milk float! I will be checking it out with the dealer when it goes in for its service but I guess it may well be down to the change of bearing from plastic to metal. I'd be grateful if you would let us know how you get on.
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Being the guinea pig (!) can you tell me if your's had a whine when you slowed down (and sped up) after the fix? The noise I have now is nothing like the noise when the bearing went but is more like the noise when I drive my wife's Leaf.
That noise stopped some years ago!
More convinced now to have a word with the garage. Thanks dpeilow
The car was picked up again on Friday and Vauxhall confirmed today that the dealer had to strip the bearing out again and replace. They agreed that the wind down (and up) noise was the new bearing not correctly aligned. Let's hope they get it right the second time.
Got the car back from the dealer today after second bearing fix and all seems OK now. No more whines on accelerating or braking. It feels right this time.
Whilst I was there I took a look around the cars for sale and they had a new red Ampera there - colour suits it. If anyone is looking for one it is at Perrys, Canterbury (they are well experienced in fitting bearings!)
Whilst I was there I took a look around the cars for sale and they had a new red Ampera there - colour suits it. If anyone is looking for one it is at Perrys, Canterbury (they are well experienced in fitting bearings!)
Here we go again! Just over a month since the second bearing was fitted and that one has now gone. The dealer confirmed today that it's on its way out (whining on both accelerating and deceleration). They've been pretty quick both times before but I understand Vauxhall were reluctant to give the go ahead last time as they said the garage hadn't fully cleared the oil pipe lubricating the bearing properly which had made it run dry - the dealer denies this (?!)
I can see myself getting stuck in the middle between the manufacturer and the dealer.
Is 3 bearings a record?! - (Not that I really want it)
I can see myself getting stuck in the middle between the manufacturer and the dealer.
Is 3 bearings a record?! - (Not that I really want it)
Thanks Donald and dpeilow, I shall bear the info/advice in mind during my negotiations and use it as needed
My first one went at 48,000 miles
They took less than a day to fit it, most of the delay was getting Vauxhall's OK to do the work then three to four days to get the part from Germany.
Mine was one of the first Ampera's (April 2012) and from all I can gather most of the bearing problems seem to be with the early models.
Mine was one of the first Ampera's (April 2012) and from all I can gather most of the bearing problems seem to be with the early models.
Couldn't agree more about your reference to Vauxhall.
It really isn't all the early models that suffer from the problem so although it must be a concern, it's far from a certainty.
It really isn't all the early models that suffer from the problem so although it must be a concern, it's far from a certainty.
Again, many thanks for the info Donald. I shall certainly make sure the dealer is aware of the bulletin and put him through a serious cross questioning (especially the points on replacement bearing cover and complete new box). Fortunately I have known the workshop manager for more than 20 years as he used to look after my Toyotas when he was with them and we have a good rapport (I think we are going to need this!). I also have a lot of time for the Ampera mechanic who listens and doesn't just think he knows it all. I think my problem is going to be with Vauxhall who, despite chasing, still haven't responded regarding the steering lock problem which completely disabled the car.
Vauxhall have authorised the dealer to fit a third bearing which is going to take 4 to 5 days to come from Germany. I ran through the various points with the workshop manager that you raised Donald and one of his reactions was interesting - " we are well aware of the possible need to fit a complete box for multiple bearing failures". We went on to tacitly agree that the new bearing would be fitted (with complete gearbox oil change) but next time (!) the question of a replacement box would be addressed.
The dealer, via My Ampera, arranged for a loan car, an auto Mercedes B Class from Europcar.
The dealer, via My Ampera, arranged for a loan car, an auto Mercedes B Class from Europcar.
They told me that they had arranged a Mokka automatic, which turned out to be the Merc as Europcar don't do the Mokka.
Shame, isn't it!
My first time was a 5, the second a 4 and the third (a less than earth moving) 3 !!
BEARING LATEST (and last?)
I picked up the car this afternoon with the completely new transmission assembly now fitted. All seems fine.
To help others I can confirm that a correctly fitted and aligned bearing is virtually but not completely silent. There is still a slight whine on coming to a stop from about 15mph and again when starting off, but it is only slight and less than my wife's Leaf. It is very obvious when the bearing is on its way out and to be sure you need to slow down with the window open and a wall (or thick hedge) beside you to reflect the noise which is a distinct whine with an element of grating thrown in. I did the wall test on the way home and there was no noise that I could hear from the new bearing (T.A.) at all.
I asked the mechanic what he thought the cost of the repair would have been and his guess was somewhere in the region of £5,000 to £6,000 (although I seem to remember seeing somewhere that it was more like £4,500).
Whoever inherits the ownership of the car can at least relax over the question of dodgy bearings (my new(er) one comes next Tuesday).
I picked up the car this afternoon with the completely new transmission assembly now fitted. All seems fine.
To help others I can confirm that a correctly fitted and aligned bearing is virtually but not completely silent. There is still a slight whine on coming to a stop from about 15mph and again when starting off, but it is only slight and less than my wife's Leaf. It is very obvious when the bearing is on its way out and to be sure you need to slow down with the window open and a wall (or thick hedge) beside you to reflect the noise which is a distinct whine with an element of grating thrown in. I did the wall test on the way home and there was no noise that I could hear from the new bearing (T.A.) at all.
I asked the mechanic what he thought the cost of the repair would have been and his guess was somewhere in the region of £5,000 to £6,000 (although I seem to remember seeing somewhere that it was more like £4,500).
Whoever inherits the ownership of the car can at least relax over the question of dodgy bearings (my new(er) one comes next Tuesday).
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