Non-Defective Tranny vs. Repaired Snap Ring Tranny

[Sig]

All other things being equal, is there any significant difference in the longevity and strength of the two transmissions?

Particularly interested in how a 'repaired snap-ring' tranny would stand up to a much higher torque load of forced induction versus a non-defective tranny.

 

[ChrisK]

I may not be the best person to answer this question, but my 92 snap ring was repaired correctly with a brand new tranmission case. From what I understand that is as good as new and will never have a snap ring problem again, so it should be exactly the same as a non snap ring transmission case.

 

[Larry Bastanza]

It will be as good as a new trans, however to say "NEVER" well.......

The repair will be as if your trans was out of range to begin with.

HTH,
LarryB

 

[drew]

Just would like to point out that the snap ring problem, is NOT a problem with the snap ring.

It is rather a problem with the transmission housing, specificially the seat in which the snap ring resides.

So, the transmission housing must be replaced to fix the "snap ring" problem. Replacing only the snap ring will do nothing useful.

The snap ring just keeps the main shaft in the correct position so it can be a part of the "system". Got nothing to do with applied torque/power, in other words---the strength of the transmissions would be exactly the same as long as the shafts are positioned properly.

Drew
/I think that is the answer you are looking for...

 

[nsx-tech]

the grove the snap ring goes into was made too large. that allowed the shaft to move weakening the snap ring and then it would brake. the case always must be replaced. I've never heard of one braking the second time. in most cases you have to cut the case to get it apart because of the snap ring failure. its a fun job.

 

[ScienceofSpeed]

There are a couple cases in which I could see a "snap-ring repaired" transmission being less reliable than a transmission that has not been repaired. The first is if the snap-ring broke due to the machining error, and the car was continued to be driven with the broken bits floating around in the trans fluid. These bits could damage the gears or bearings. If not replaced, this could cause problems down the road. The second way I could see is if the transmission was not rebuilt correctly. It's possible that one of the bearings could be damaged during the process if not pressed off or removed correctly. If the bearing was not replaced, or any of the other items that are in some way removed during the repair not installed correctly, this could cause a problem down the road.

However, if done correctly, a snap-ring repaired transmission should be a *better* transmisson than a from-factory transmission with some wear and tear since most techs doing the repair would recommend that bearings and syncros be replaced since the transmission is on the bench.

On a side note, keep in mind that many of the cars I have seen with transmissions that have been repaired do not have the cases marked in some way by the tech signifying that the transmission has been repaired for the snap ring TSB. Since the affected case half is not the one with the transmission number, if not marked, the next owner could be under the assumption that the trans has never been repaired w/o supporting service history.

take care,
-- Chris

 

[nsx-tech]

There are a couple cases in which I could see a "snap-ring repaired" transmission being less reliable than a transmission that has not been repaired. The first is if the snap-ring broke due to the machining error, and the car was continued to be driven with the broken bits floating around in the trans fluid. These bits could damage the gears or bearings. If not replaced, this could cause problems down the road. The second way I could see is if the transmission was not rebuilt correctly. It's possible that one of the bearings could be damaged during the process if not pressed off or removed correctly. If the bearing was not replaced, or any of the other items that are in some way removed during the repair not installed correctly, this could cause a problem down the road.

However, if done correctly, a snap-ring repaired transmission should be a *better* transmisson than a from-factory transmission with some wear and tear since most techs doing the repair would recommend that bearings and syncros be replaced since the transmission is on the bench.

On a side note, keep in mind that many of the cars I have seen with transmissions that have been repaired do not have the cases marked in some way by the tech signifying that the transmission has been repaired for the snap ring TSB. Since the affected case half is not the one with the transmission number, if not marked, the next owner could be under the assumption that the trans has never been repaired w/o supporting service history.

take care,
-- Chris

I agree with this. when I rebuild them I replace all the bearings in the transmission and any gears that have any marks on them. some people will just want it fixed as cheap as posible.

 

[nis350]

On a side note, keep in mind that many of the cars I have seen with transmissions that have been repaired do not have the cases marked in some way by the tech signifying that the transmission has been repaired for the snap ring TSB. Since the affected case half is not the one with the transmission number, if not marked, the next owner could be under the assumption that the trans has never been repaired w/o supporting service history.

take care,
-- Chris

Spoke with an acura tech. a few months ago, he said most of the snap ring issues occur before 40k miles and the more miles the cars have on the trans. without breaking, the likelihood is that the trans. is probably ok.

 

[nsxtasy]

Spoke with an acura tech. a few months ago, he said most of the snap ring issues occur before 40k miles and the more miles the cars have on the trans. without breaking, the likelihood is that the trans. is probably ok.

He's wrong. The snap ring can fail on the affected cars at any time. If you look at the reports tallied in the FAQ, you will see that half of them occurred at 50K miles or higher.

 

[ScienceofSpeed]

The problem being that the groove that is machined into affected cases vary from "almost within spec" to "very far from spec" which will cause mileage to vary.

-- Chris

 

[nsxexotic]

Correcto - at eighty something k my snap ring broke. Good timing because I need a new clutch anyhow. Basicly dished out another $750 for a new case.

 

[tomc92bb000059]

When your defective snap ring tranny is replaced with another defective snap ring tranny, they both lack longevity.... Grrrr ACR Motorsports.....
Did only the case and synchros in mine, as the tech said the actual gears had very little wear on them.