Master overhaul kit for the GM 6T40E/6T45E six-speed with friction clutch plates, gaskets, seals and rings for LaCrosse, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and G6.
A 2008-2009 Pontiac G6 2.4L, a 2010-2011 Buick LaCrosse, a first-year Cruze or a 2011 Malibu or Equinox 2.4L that slips under load, engages late once warm, or comes back from a pan drop with dark fluid and friction material on the magnet is usually past the point of a fluid service. This master kit is built for that teardown on the first-generation GM 6T40E and 6T45E. It puts every friction plate and the full seal, gasket, sealing ring and o-ring set in one box, and it is priced for the builder who plans to reuse good steels rather than buy a pack of new ones.
Both units are transverse six-speeds that build every ratio by applying clutches with hydraulic pressure from the pump, routed through the control valve body and the TEHCM, GM's combined control module and solenoid assembly. Five clutch packs do the work, and each one only holds when two things are true: the friction lining is intact and the piston and drum seals keep apply pressure from bleeding away. On a high-mileage Gen 1 unit both fail together. Linings glaze and burn, and the rubber and Teflon rings harden, so a pack that is low on material is also being fed weak pressure. This kit renews both halves of that equation across the whole transmission.
Start with the fluid level, set hot through the check plug, since a low unit will slip and an overfilled one will vent fluid. Then pull the pan. Lining material and a dark varnish say the clutches are worn; steel slivers point to a broken 3-5-R waved plate, which GM Preliminary Information PI0780A ties to P0776 on 2008-2011 units built through early 2011. A single solenoid fault without debris may be a TEHCM issue instead, and our 6T40 shift solenoid guide walks through telling the two apart. For a late engagement only, read the 6T40 delayed engagement guide before committing to a full overhaul.
The listing covers 2008-2009 Pontiac G6 2.4L, 2010-2011 Buick LaCrosse 2.4L and 3.0L, 2010 Chevrolet Captiva Sport 2.4L, 2010-2011 Chevrolet Cruze 1.4L and 1.8L, 2011 Chevrolet Equinox 2.4L and 2011 Chevrolet Malibu 2.4L. All of those are Gen 1 designs, with the four-friction 4-5-6 clutch that GM revised for 2012. GM also made running changes inside these years, and the V6 LaCrosse should have its transmission RPO checked first, since GM's larger 6T70 family also sat behind V6 engines in this era. Lay your old clutch stack beside the kit before you start, or send us your year and VIN and we will confirm. Later units belong with the 2012 6T40 master rebuild kit, and every option is on the rebuild kit category page.
Steel plates are not in this box, so measure and inspect yours: a steel that is blued, warped or scored goes in the scrap bin, and a pack built with tired steels will not hold even with new frictions. Soak the frictions in Dexron VI before assembly, replace the pump and drum sealing rings, and set each pack clearance with the selective plates. Because GM's PI0780A calls for a new 3-5-R piston and waved plate any time the unit is apart, and the bonded pistons harden with age, plan on the 6T40/6T45 bonded piston set. A worn unit often has a tired pump too; the 6T45 pump is the replacement if the gears or bore are scored. Finish with a new pan filter and gasket, flush the cooler, fill with Dexron VI, set the level at operating temperature and run the adaptive learn with a scan tool. The 6T40 rebuild cost guide lists which hard parts most often add to the bill.
| Fits | GM 6T40E / 6T45E six-speed (FWD) |
| Applications | LaCrosse, Cruze, Captiva Sport, Equinox, Malibu, G6 |
| Year range | 2008-2011 |
| Includes | Friction plates, gaskets, seals, sealing rings, o-rings |
| Does not include | Steel plates, pump, bushings, hard parts |
| Ships | From the USA |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
No. It carries the friction plates plus the gaskets, seals, sealing rings and o-rings. Steels, the pump, bushings and hard parts are reused or bought separately, so inspect and measure your steels before reassembly. If you want steels in the box, look at our other 6T40/6T45 master kits.
The listing includes the 3.0L LaCrosse, but V6 GM cars of this era can also carry the larger 6T70. Check the transmission RPO code on the service parts label or send us your VIN before you order.
Often it is part of the fix. P0776 with no reverse on a 2008-2011 unit commonly traces to a broken 3-5-R waved plate. GM's PI0780A says to replace the 3-5-R piston and waved plate and to clean the unit fully, and drum splines can be damaged, so inspect the 3-5-R drum before you buy hard parts.
Dexron VI only. GM lists a fluid change capacity of roughly 4 to 6 liters, but a dry rebuild with a flushed cooler takes more, so fill, run it and set the final level hot through the check plug.
Yes. Clear the transmission adapts and run the service fast learn or an adaptive drive cycle so the TCM learns the fresh clutches. Without it, shifts can feel harsh or soft until it relearns.
