Possible snap ring failure warning????

[4AU4LIFE]

92 w/73K miles.
OEM clutch replace @49K
trans is in snap ring range
most of the time upon slowing down and down shifting it is a bit difficult to take it out of 3rd gear. If I push the clutch in and rev it up just a bit, it comes out of 3rd easily but if I don't think it wants to 'hang up'. The RPM's will drop down to ~1500 and hang up for a moment or two before settling at idle.
No problems at all up shifting. And no, I don't speed shift or rev match or anything like that.
Could this be a precursor to a snap ring failure?
TIA

 

[Osiris_x11]

mebbe' another thing. . .

I'm no hardcore mech'/tech' guy regarding the NSX, but I wouldn't rule-out worn 3rd gear synchro's as well, which does afflict our 5spd's gradually over time. The signs/symptoms as-described sound somewhat similar to such a situation.

(just thinkin' out-loud)

Maurice, try givin' Nabil a call perhaps & keep the NSX on 'ice till then!

 

[DutchBlackNsx]

If any signs of snapring trouble, you will get a moving shifter when accel/de-accel.
Seems more like a clutch issue to me.
Had same trouble in 1st gear ages ago, was gone when clutch was replaced.

my 0.01 Eurocents

 

[4AU4LIFE]

If any signs of snapring trouble, you will get a moving shifter when accel/de-accel.
Seems more like a clutch issue to me.
Had same trouble in 1st gear ages ago, was gone when clutch was replaced.

my 0.01 Eurocents

Shifter definitely doesn't move when accel or decel.
I do have some clutch chatter at times. Could the two issues be related?

 

[warren1205]

chatter is normal for upgraded clutches like the exedy kit. Sometimes you might get very minimal chatter in the stock.

 

[sca037]

Shifter definitely doesn't move when accel or decel.
I do have some clutch chatter at times. Could the two issues be related?

Flush and bleed your clutch master / slave, and see if that takes care of the problem.

My .02 USD suggestion,
Brian

 

[Doc308]

Rather than guess, inspect the snap ring directly. The inspection cap is located to the left of the driver side axel on the upper part of the tranny case . If I recall, use a 1/2" drive ratchet handle ( the square part where sockets snap on) to unscrew it. Jack the car up as high as you can on the driver's side so to minimize tranny fluid loss when you remove the inspection cap . You will lose very little that way. Once the cap is off you can see the snap ring.

In my case, 3 years ago, I found 3 pieces of my snap ring lying in the inspection hole recess! Ironically, I had no symptoms of a broken snap ring at all. Apparently, the amount of the ring which remained in the grove was still sufficiently doing its job.Needless to say, I was very glad that I decided to inspect it.

 

[4AU4LIFE]

Rather than guess, inspect the snap ring directly. The inspection cap is located near where the the driver side axel is bolted to the tranny. If I recall, use a 1/2" drive ratchet handle ( the square part where sockets snap on) to unscrew it. Jack the car up as high as you can on the driver's side so to minimize tranny fluid loss when you remove the inspection cap . You will lose very little that way. Once the cap is off you can see the snap ring.

In my case, 3 years ago, I found 3 pieces of my snap ring lying in the inspection hole recess! Ironically, I had no symptoms of a broken snap ring at all. Apparently, the amount of the ring which remained in the grove was still sufficiently doing its job.Needless to say, I was very glad that I decided to inspect it.

Ironically enough, I was getting ready to change my tranny fluid back to the Honda MTF. Is the hole you are talking about the same one the fluid drains out of?

 

[Doc308]

No, they are different plugs. The drain plug accepts a 3/8" ratchet. The snap ring inspection plug is actually easier to get at. Once you have the car jacked up and the wheel off, look to the left of the axel shaft and you'll see the plug. It's located on a part of the upper tranny housing which juts out. It's situated closer to the wheel well than the drain plug . It's a flat plug which is flush with the tranny case and it has a square indent in the middle of it . The indent on this plug accepts a 1/2 " ratchet .

 

[4AU4LIFE]

So, if I'm going to change the fluid and want to check in this hole, I should check the snap ring first that way it doesn't matter if any fluid leaks out then?
Should the shifter have kindof a clunk sound when changing gears? I have a short shifter kit also installed so I don't know if that has an affect on anything.
I'm hoping the new fluid with smooth out the shifts.
The shifting has never been as quiet or smooth as the one in my Integra.

 

[4AU4LIFE]

All is good in snap ring area.
I opened it up and the ring is there and appears nice and tight.
Drained fluid and replaced with the new Honda MTF. Will take a drive in it tomorrow and see if I can tell a difference.
Man does it help to have air tools to use.

 

[Doc308]

I'm glad to hear that your snap ring was OK !

 

[omega2]

When my transmission had snap ring failure, the shifter was super loose. If you are shifting from 2nd to 5th or worse 5th to 2nd, then it may be possible snap ring failure. Glad to hear it worked out for you.

 

[4AU4LIFE]

Doc and omega,
Thanks for the well wishes. I was really beginning to get worried.
The clutch master and slave just went out on my 150k mile Integra so it isn't drivable right now so I would be in trouble in the NSX broke before I got the Integra fixed.
I feel SOO much better now having seen the ring and it shows to be in good shape.

 

[DutchBlackNsx]

Doc and omega,
Thanks for the well wishes. I was really beginning to get worried.
The clutch master and slave just went out on my 150k mile Integra so it isn't drivable right now so I would be in trouble in the NSX broke before I got the Integra fixed.
I feel SOO much better now having seen the ring and it shows to be in good shape.

Yeah, i went in tears when mine broke, however, when replacing the tranny case, i also did the shortgears. In the end i was glad the snapring went.

 

[4AU4LIFE]

Yeah, i went in tears when mine broke, however, when replacing the tranny case, i also did the shortgears. In the end i was glad the snapring went.

I was thinking the exact same thing. If I were going into it I was going to go ahead and change gears....luckily, it doesn't appear that will have to happen.