Hi all,

We often hear how the 4sp auto gearboxes fail due to the wave spring.

So I was thinking as a preventative measure, before the wave spring fails, can it be replaced with one that does not fail? Has anyone ever done it before? Is incredibly difficult and/or require specialist knowledge and/or tools?

Let the discussion flow!

Cheers,
TheKovac

Hi all,

We often hear how the pre-TL 4sp auto gearboxes fail due to the wave spring.

So I was thinking as a preventative measure, before the wave spring fails, can it be replaced with one that does not fail? Has anyone ever done it before? Is incredibly difficult and/or require specialist knowledge and/or tools?

Let the discussion flow!

Cheers,
TheKovac

ive been to 2 trans specialists in adelaide, both said it is a prick of a job as the whole box will need to be gutted apparently due to the spring being so far in the box, as for a replacement wavespring, both places use the wavespring from a 4cyl 2nd auto as apparently they were alot more stronger than the 3rd gen, im not sure im to accurate on the wavespring fro a 4cyl, but thats what they have done

There's a modified wave spring available. Without the proper tools and clean working environment, there is no way the average person can do this. Lining up the oil pump on reassembly is critical (as one example) to avoid problems. Best done when (or if) the spring actually breaks, rather than as a preventative measure, just based on the labour time and $$$ involved. As above, the box basically needs to be stripped down to individual components.


http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTfFgFwbMrwRuOOrJ9Au6JCbZsDvc-Yiwv0N1bNHwsV0CfM0mBZs70ztcPKYw

I think this is the old (upper) verus the replacement. (lower)

A better pic:

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/rc_maniac/trans2-08024temp.jpg

pics from http://www.club3g.com/forum/problem-reports/112355-transmission-most-likely-dead-need-help.html

Hi all,

We often hear how the pre-TL 4sp auto gearboxes fail due to the wave spring.




pre-TL? is that so? so my TW will be OK? I thought it was all of them, but I stand to be corrected

It lives under all the clutchpacks, not a DIY.

pre-TL? is that so? so my TW will be OK? I thought it was all of them, but I stand to be corrected

It's all autos TE-TW, 5 speeds also suffer the same failures.

It lives under all the clutchpacks, not a DIY.

I think we have established that already. Still, when the clutch plates wear out at some stage in the future, it will be a good time to change the little #%$ of a wave spring.

But the wave spring change in the TL-TW?

Someone whispered in my ear that it was revised in the TW....

But confirmation of this would be good.....

So it seems its far to difficult for your average enthusiastic DIY backyard mechanic to attempt to fix. What a shame! I suppose its just a lucky game of Russian roulette for most 4sp auto owners.

Thanks for the input everyone!

To confirm about the TL-TW 4sp autoboxes - from what I gather the wave spring issue was rectified and they are not prone to failure from the wave spring failing. I do know the 4sp box is slightly different from the TJ due to ratios in order to save fuel.

Those bloody wave washers are a time bomb waiting to happen. I've got a KJ AWD with the 5 speed invecs II auto and recently replaced the wave washer as it let go. The transmission specialist said that I was very fortunate that it didn't do any other damage. Apparently when these go and they wind up in the filter and pierce their way out, they do catastrophic damage to the box.

The broken pieces eventually get into the oil pump, that's when the show is over. And yes the wave washer was replaced with a better unit so it doesn't happen again. It cost me $1000 neat of which $800 alone was labour. but I guess it's better than the $3000 quote to rebuild the transmission I got as a second opinion.

It's all autos TE-TW, 5 speeds also suffer the same failures.

Not actually true, the TW boxes we have stripped here have so far ALL had the revised spring so the faulures in the TW boxes are not due to the wave spring

The TL boxes we have stripped all have the old 3 layer spring so seems to be a TW revision only.

Also another issue with these can be the oil bump bearing as well as the planetary gear set retaining nut coming loose

Another thing we have found is that most of the cars with a good cooler do nto seem to have these failures, I have a suspicion that most of these failures are heat related.

I think I'm gonna get that cooler done this year when I do my next service on the box around September/October ish.

Boosty

I think I'm gonna get that cooler done this year when I do my next service on the box around September/October ish.

Boosty

Wise move - will help with your piece of mind!

YEah I mean technically I dont fang it ever and I never tow so no reason for a cooler by any recommendation. But we here are more knowledgable and we know that lower temperatures in a transmission will prevent failure, its common sense. So yeah, gonna do it for sure to get as much life out of the box as I can.

I put a cooler in mine about 7-8 months prior to my drive accross Aus, and keeping it regularly flushed and serviced, I haven't had any issues at all with my auto.

Mines due for another flush in the next month or 2 as I'm planning another trip accross Aus around April.

I've just purchased a large capacity transmission oil cooler. I've also decided to do a tranny flush every 20000 kms & I only use the SP2 genuine mitsubishi fluid.

hmm, yeh i'm quite worried what i'll find when i remove the 'box from my motor to move it to my 6G75... my plans are (if the 'box is still fine) to run it with a transmission cooler (got one sitting in the laundry) and run it till it dies. but i may change that plan and drive the car (with the '75 and 'cooler) for a couple months while i save up to get the 'box reconditioned

it's also time for it to be flushed actually- not sure about the previous owners, but i plan to flush the transmission every 20,000km

Hojo, best thing to do when it's time to change the fluid is to get the mechanic to put a telescopic magnetic probe and see if it fishes out any thin curved chunks of metal from the fluid pan. That's how we found out that the wave washer was gone.

Not fool proof but certainly better than simply guessing or wondering ;)

After you guys fit a cooler, and replace your oil every 20k, Give it to me, It will be good for another 25k easy, those coolers add a lot of life to the oil....

After you guys fit a cooler, and replace your oil every 20k, Give it to me, It will be good for another 25k easy, those coolers add a lot of life to the oil....

You can have my Tranny oil mate, it'll still be cooked :P

Not actually true, the TW boxes we have stripped here have so far ALL had the revised spring so the faulures in the TW boxes are not due to the wave spring

The TL boxes we have stripped all have the old 3 layer spring so seems to be a TW revision only.

Good to know, must have been a TL I saw one of the guys drain pieces of wave spring out of during a fluid change!

Have you stripped any TW 5 speeds down or just 4 speeds?

Cheers

I have a TL and have had the Wave Spring Replaced..... But now have a New Problem (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93762) :(

My TW 5sp wave spring failed.