Does anyone know what the wave springs look like. I believe old (original and useless) one is basically 2 strand of spring steel similar in diameter to coat hanger wire and that the improved version is about 3 by about mm.

Which 3rd gens can one buy with the knowledge that the new improved spring is what is supplied in the transmission ex factory. I am in the market for a Magna or Verada, but don't want the wave spring issue again.

John

Looking at MMAL manual I see that there is more than one wave spring. I was considering getting the reverse/first gear wave spring done for $1000 (box not removed from car). But any one of the wave springs could be the one that is broken. I found 2 pieces about 35mm long of wave spring (about 1 by 3mm) when draining AFT. I would not have found the 2 pieces under normal circumstances. I had drained the oil and it was just dripping out of the sump. I refitted drain plug with old washer and after a while (10 minutes) decided that I should fit a new washer. When I removed the drain plug again, about 50 to 100 ml of ATF drained out, together with the 2 pieces of wave spring. I then checked the oil that had first drained out (5litres) and there were no pieces in there. Go figure.

If the wave spring's function is to cushion going into revers or first, how smooth can it be once spring breaks? Had 2 pieces each about 3cm long come out of sump and yet transmission is smooth as. Transmission was rebuilt some years ago at 45000km. Is it possible the pieces were not removed back then and have been in the sump since then. Currently at 250 000km.