[ALC]

Thurlow Nunn in MK were great for sales and when I took the car for warranty work (rear lights had water in them - replaced with no quibble, and courtesy car lent for an hour, so looks promising. The Service Manager there drove an Ampera and was very interested in talking About it. Planning to use for first service in around 6 weeks - see you there, Richard!

 

[Clive.S]

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!)

 

[Richard Gledhill]

Thanks both!

 

[Clive.S]

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)

 

[donald]

Is 3 bearings a record?! - (Not that I really want it)

Gm-volt forum indicates around 1 to 2% have multiple bearing failures.

Sorry.....

 

[dpeilow]

The advice I was given by the GM Volt crowd was if it fails a third time, demand a new factory made drive unit as it will be properly aligned.

 

[Clive.S]

Thanks Donald and dpeilow, I shall bear the info/advice in mind during my negotiations and use it as needed

 

[donald]

What mileages did people first experience this bearing problem?

I figured a high mileage Ampera could be a safer bet on the logical basis that if faults have not appeared at higher miles then something like a misaligned bearing would've shown up already.

 

[Lee Dalton]

As I understand it, most of these bearing problems happen at relatively low mileage. Which indicates a manufacturing error to me ....

 

[Clive.S]

My first one went at 48,000 miles

 

[donald]

My first one went at 48,000 miles

Ooooch... It is one of the possible things that worries me about this car.

That being said, folks on the US forum say the bearing swap is relatively straightforward. 'Hours'. So why are UK dealers making such a song-and-dance about it?

 

[Clive.S]

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.

 

[Russ]

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.

How is it that a large company like Vauxhall don't have a simple bearing in stock in the UK?
Having this problem after 48,000 miles is worrying as mine is an early one, doesn't have a lifetime warranty and has only covered 17,000 miles

 

[Clive.S]

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.

 

[dpeilow]

All the Ampera parts seem to be held in Germany. I had a charger failure early on and that came from there by overnight delivery too.

As for mileage, I think mine was at about 18,000. I'm double that now with no further issues.

 

[donald]

Here we go again! Just over a month since the second bearing was fitted and that one has now gone.

I've been researching yet further on this and a key point is a recommendation on GM-volt - make sure the dealer has the latest updates and copies of "Bulletin PIP5081".

Also, they are now recommended to perform a full flush of the gearbox after fitting, not just a refill.

There is also an indication that a first failed bearing should be followed with a replacement housing cover, and a second by a complete replacement box, but I am not sure if those are just things that have happened in some cases or if it is part of the protocol.

If I were you, I would cross examine the service manager on these points like a barrister in the High Court. Get him to show you the bulletin and the tools and how he will do the job.

 

[dpeilow]

When I got mine done I pointed both the dealer and Vauxhall in the direction of that bulletin. They weren't aware of it then but they have no excuses now.

 

[Clive.S]

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.

 

[Clive.S]

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.

 

[dpeilow]

Wow, they didn't insist on a Vauxhall hire car? That's new.