Snap Ring (Transmission) Broke Today - Advice Appreciated

[nsxexotic]

Snap Ring (Transmission) Broke Today - Advice Appreciated

91 NSX 80k+ Miles - Original Clutch

I parked the car to pick up some items at the bakery. As soon as I started the car up and took off I noticed almost immediatly that the clutch felt funny. (The snap ring must of broke on its own!!!)

The shift would move back and forth under load. It was terrible - I drove it home (under 10 miles) in high gear at low speeds and parked it in the garage. :-( - Student = NO $

Can anybody tell me what my options are? I plan on doing the clutch at the same time - anything other repairs/upgrades that you can recommend?

Does anybody else other than DALI sell the upper transmission case?

after doing research I estimate the cost will be:
7hr Book labor @ $600 + $650 Upper Trans Housing + $600 for the clutch. Keeping everything under $2000.00

Thanks in advance!

 

[DDozier]

Ouch, lots of miles. Do a search, there is alot of info here. Mine went at 38k, Honda will be no help. Order the parts from Dali and find a good tech to put them in.

Dave

 

[jlindy]

Under $2000 if you are very lucky. Hope that other damage did not happen in addition. FYI, the snap ring can be broken with no signs if you catch it early enough. I found out mine was broken when I had it inspected after purchase, and it showed no signs of failure yet.

 

[ScienceofSpeed]

My advice is too keep the miles off the car as the pieces of snap-ring floating around in the transmission can lead to expensive damage. You may wish to consider a transmission trade in for a rebuilt transmission with new bearings, syncros, etc. While the trans is out, it's a good idea to do the repair right. The transmission is a very complex unit and requires someone very knowledgeable and experienced. It's my personal opion that I would only trust Mark Basch for the repair on my car.

You may wish to consider looking at the life of your clutch, since the repacement adds no additional hours. Now's a great time to consider short gears and NSX-R final drive as well.

http://www.scienceofspeed.com/products/drivetrain_performance_products/NSX/gears_LSD.asp

Cheers,
-- Chris

 

[nsxexotic]

I found out mine was broken when I had it inspected after purchase, and it showed no signs of failure yet.

But I noticed the change (damage) instantly. Like night and day! Are you saying it gradually progressed? hopefully not, I don't have the money for a new trans :-(

 

[ajnsx]

so when i purchase my nsx next year, technically it already has 'short gears' as its in Japan, right?

 

[gheba_nsx]

Short gears is the way to go if you have to work on the snap ring! At least you will upgrade the car...

 

[hlweyl]

May be a stupid question but are you sure its not your clutch or hydraulic system?

 

[jlindy]

I am not saying that it gradually progresses, but in my case, it showed no signs of it breaking. As far as only Mark Basch working on the car is good advice, but not completely necessary in my opinion. BarnMan (a respected NSX mechanic on this forum) gave me some advice that set me at ease. He told me that the NSX manual tranny is just like other Honda transmissions, so as long as you have a mechanic that knows or has done a Honda transmission, it is an easy job to do. (obviously knowing a NSX would be even better)

As others have said, do not even waste your time with Acura as they will do nothing. Acura dealerships want little to do with rebuilds and push a whole new set up at 8000.

 

[MiamieNeSeX]

But I noticed the change (damage) instantly. Like night and day! Are you saying it gradually progressed? hopefully not, I don't have the money for a new trans :-(

Everything works until it breaks. The change can be minor or drastic. Speaking from experience, one day the tranny was fine, the next day the shifter was moving under load like it was possesed. I understand taking a $2000.00 unexpected hit is tough, but make sure you do your homework. Once the tranny is out you should consider short gears, r&p, lightweight flywheel and clutch. Good luck


Armando

 

[nsxtasy]

What you need is to take it to an NSX expert, someone who has opened up lots of NSX transmissions and is familiar with the problem and how to fix it without replacing the entire transmission (assuming it has not done so much damage that that is necessary). There aren't many such experts.

You are fortunate because you live only a hundred miles from the best NSX mechanic on the East Coast, Bernie at Davis Acura in Langhorne, Pennsylvania.

Have the car flat-bedded to Bernie.

:-( - Student = NO $

You have just discovered why advice is frequently given on NSXprime to those who can't afford an expensive repair, not to buy the car in the first place.

Can anybody tell me what my options are?

You can take it to someone with the expertise to recognize whether to replace the transmission case and snap ring. Or you can take it to someone who doesn't know anything other than replacing the entire transmission.

I plan on doing the clutch at the same time - anything other repairs/upgrades that you can recommend?

Since you are strapped for cash, just replace the parts that are needed. (You can do a search for topics containing extensive discussion about the various gearing options if you like. However, since you are going to have trouble paying for a repair just to keep the car running, you have no business spending money on mods which have only a slight effect on your car's performance.)

Does anybody else other than DALI sell the upper transmission case?

You can buy one from any dealer of Acura parts.

However, some dealers, including Davis, will not install parts purchased elsewhere.

after doing research I estimate the cost will be:
7hr Book labor @ $600 + $650 Upper Trans Housing + $600 for the clutch.

Your estimates may very well be way off, compared with those of a professional who knows what he's doing. And I don't think anyone will know what the cost will be until the transmission is opened up. Let the person who will be doing the work give you an estimate that you can depend on.

Have the car flat-bedded to Bernie.

 

[nsxexotic]

However, some dealers, including Davis, will not install parts purchased elsewhere.

I am almost certain Acura parts are expensive at the dealer - I can't seem to find any way to get a discount. I want to get a clutch from SOS and perhaps a trans case from DALI. If Davis won't do it - can you recommend any other mechanic about 100 miles from philadelphia?

Thank you so much.

 

[nsxtasy]

As far as only Mark Basch working on the car is good advice, but not completely necessary in my opinion. BarnMan (a respected NSX mechanic on this forum) gave me some advice that set me at ease. He told me that the NSX manual tranny is just like other Honda transmissions, so as long as you have a mechanic that knows or has done a Honda transmission, it is an easy job to do.

I think this is BAD ADVICE. I would not take a transmission requiring a snap ring repair to anyone who is not extremely familiar with NSX transmissions. Only someone with this experience can evaluate the snap ring failure and whether the entire transmission needs to be replaced, vs simply the snap ring and case.

OTOH, Mark Basch is not the only NSX expert in the country, so there is no need to have a car shipped 2500 miles to him. There are top-notch NSX techs in other cities around the country, who are capable of properly diagnosing and performing this repair. I would not take it to any Acura dealer, but I would trust any mechanic with a lot of experience with NSX transmission internals. (Like Bernie.)

 

[nsxtasy]

I am almost certain Acura parts are expensive at the dealer - I can't seem to find any way to get a discount. I want to get a clutch from SOS and perhaps a trans case from DALI. If Davis won't do it - can you recommend any other mechanic about 100 miles from philadelphia?

Who is familiar with NSX transmission internals? No.

You seem to be fixated on saving a few hundred dollars on parts. You are being extremely foolish. If you take it to someone else, who doesn't have that expertise, you might save a few hundred dollars on parts - but that person could screw up the repair, and you might very well pay a lot more in labor, more than those few hundred dollars of parts savings. For example, YOU say that it only needs the transmission case - but you don't have any expertise at all. (For example - at a minimum, it needs the snap ring, too.) What are you going to do? Tell your mechanic, "I don't want you to diagnose what's wrong with it - just replace these parts." And then he'll tell you, "I'll replace those parts for you, but if that doesn't fix the problem, I'm not responsible for it. I'll only be responsible for it if I replace the whole transmission, because that's what the TSB says I should do." So you're risking having to pay for the labor twice, by insisting on taking it to someone who doesn't have the expertise to diagnose how much work really needs to be done, and to do the job once and do it right. Oh, and that person without the NSX expertise will almost certainly take a lot longer to do the repair than Bernie will, so you'll be paying for more hours of labor, too.

You'll spend a lot more overall if you insist on taking it to someone without the experience in NSX transmission internals. But hey, if you want to save a few hundred bucks by buying parts from Chris and Dali, go ahead. I think you'll learn an important lesson yourself if you take it somewhere else - something along the lines of "penny wise, pound foolish" (meaning, failure due to looking for savings in one particular area, and ignoring the overall picture). Try it, and let us know how it turns out.

P.S. Davis sells various clutch options for the NSX, so you are not limited to the stock clutch if you have the work done there. OTOH, since you are strapped for cash, I think the reliability of the stock clutch would make it the better selection for you.

 

[nsxtasy]

so when i purchase my nsx next year, technically it already has 'short gears' as its in Japan, right?

The ratios for the various gearing combinations sold in various years and markets are shown in the FAQ section on Technical - Gear Ratios. You can also read more in the FAQ section on Performance - Gears.

 

[nsxexotic]

I understand where you are getting nsxtasy. I'm just looking for alternatives. Any NSX mech willing to do the job outside dealer?

My next question would be who here has done the upper transmission case b/c of snap ring NOT at the dealer??? Perhaps someone that has experience with NSX other than the dealer?

 

[Larry Bastanza]

nsxexotic,

Are you an NSXCA member? Typically 25% off is available. For a trans case and clutch that would save you a bunch. BTW, if you find a clutch for the NSX for $600 it will be 1/2 a clutch for sure, either used or cheap. Typical clutch prices are $1100- 1300 parts only.

For dealer prices, I think your labor is a little low too. I know that R&R for a clutch at Davis is $720 labor(last I checked), without the case swap. So, I think you will be at about $3000, not $2000.

Just reality IMO.

HTH,
LarryB

 

[nsxexotic]

You may wish to consider a transmission trade in for a rebuilt transmission with new bearings, syncros, etc.

How much does this cost? where to find the trade SOS? thanks.
______________
LarryB,

What is R&R?

also I est a clutch at $600 because SOS has rebuilt ones here
ScienceofSpeed product release for 2/12:" there's a new clutch in town!"

what do you think??? thanks!!!

 

[nsxtasy]

I understand where you are getting nsxtasy. I'm just looking for alternatives. Any NSX mech willing to do the job outside dealer?

My next question would be who here has done the upper transmission case b/c of snap ring NOT at the dealer??? Perhaps someone that has experience with NSX other than the dealer?

One other East Coast mechanic with NSX experience, whom I would trust with the car is our very own Larry Bastanza. However, he's further from you than Davis (he's in New York State, just over the border from the north end of New Jersey), almost 200 miles from you.

Wherever you go, DON'T DRIVE THE CAR; that could damage the transmission so that you would be forced to replace it, rather than just the snap ring and case. Have it flatbedded.

What is R&R?

Remove and replace (or, remove and re-install).

 

[Larry Bastanza]

R&R = remove and replace

I was not aware of the SoS clutch deal. I will investigate that

HTH,
LarryB

 

[docjohn]

Are you sure your car is in the snap ring range? If so then your symptoms may be that.I agree with the above,You are not going to have much satisfaction with the result if you try to save money by going to speed shop x for repair.The nsx is built to very strict and high tolerences and is not like repairing a civic trannie.Don't skimp,dealers have the added benefit of utilizing tech line and you have more recourse with a dealer to get it done right.I'm in Wilkes-Barre and my local dealer has rebiult my trannie and engine very nicely.My tech Brian is quite competent.I also second the adulation of our own Larry B. above.He has his own nsx shop xxx!

 

[nsxexotic]

I just taked to TIM @ the honda/acura dealer in NY and said it will be about 650 for the upper trans kit and 1050 for the clutch - but i was thinking of getting the clutch from SOS.

thanks Vytas for the info.

I also asked him if I can buy these parts and get them installed at DAVIS ACURA and he said "why not - these are geniune acura parts"."

I have one more question about the snap ring. since it broke and feel into the transmission - most likely it will be easy to remove the broken pieces right??? I don't want junk in the transmission after its fixed

 

[Larry Bastanza]

nsxexotic,

You really need to ask Davis Acura. Do not go by advice from another party. It's not only about the genuine nature of the parts.

HTH,
LarryB

 

[apapada]

Ken,

For my own info and for future reference, anyone in my area (South Carolina, GA, NC border) ?

Reason I'm asking is that my car *is also* in snap ring range and I'm right around there in mileage (82K miles). I was told however by the previous owner (a member of this forum) that in this case mine may be one of the lucky ones that were ok afterall, and that if it was a "bad" case one, the ring would already have snapped. The bad luck of our friend nsxotic proves to me what I initially thought (="yeah right") and would like to have my transmission checked next time I need a clutch...

thank you in advance

 

[chriswtx]

apapada

In the SC/GA aera call my friend at Acura of Augusta,GA. His name is Joe, he is the manager of the parts department and is on his second NSX. They have a good mech. and can also point you in the right direction to another dealer close to you. Also he gives a very good discount on parts to NSX owners(its where I order all my parts and he mails them to me in Texas) just ask for parts and for Joe. If Joe is not there ask for Jason(been my friend for 15 years and is assistant manager). If you cant locate the number PM, me I can get it for you.