Hi guys Im just doing a gearbox flush and dropped the sump bolt and 2 thin pieces of metal were stuck on . is this a major problem ? the box runs fine but this worries me please help . one was about 5cm and other 2 cm long and 2-3 mm wide thanks Greg.

Sounds like wave spring. Search it up and you'll probably be able to identify if it is.

Its a chunk of wave spring. Very very bad but very common

My opinion only, but if it was me I'd immediately source a replacement transmission IF the metal parts are identified as parts of the wave spring ....otherwise very soon you may be left stranded and have to pay through the nose for a replacement/towing/etc. This is my big hassle with Magnas....and in all honesty I don't really think I'd have gone down the Magna path if I'd known. (sorry to believers)

My opinion only, but if it was me I'd immediately source a replacement transmission IF the metal parts are identified as parts of the wave spring ....otherwise very soon you may be left stranded and have to pay through the nose for a replacement/towing/etc. This is my big hassle with Magnas....and in all honesty I don't really think I'd have gone down the Magna path if I'd known. (sorry to believers)

Sad but true. They are awful to replace. You need a new box asap. Just make sure it is a wave spring first. There is nothing else I can think of that it could be unless you shoved something down there with your dipstick

purely out of curiosity, what year is it and how many k's has it done?

My opinion only, but if it was me I'd immediately source a replacement transmission IF the metal parts are identified as parts of the wave spring ....otherwise very soon you may be left stranded and have to pay through the nose for a replacement/towing/etc. This is my big hassle with Magnas....and in all honesty I don't really think I'd have gone down the Magna path if I'd known. (sorry to believers)

Stop worrying, will ya? No machine is perfect, gear boxes break/self destruct all the time, just about every make and model of car ever made, it is not unique to Magnas. There is a whole business empire built on towing broken down cars and reconditioning gearboxes. If an owner finds bits of wave spring in the oil, he has several options - continue driving until it stuffs up properly, or check out reconditioners who can do an rebuilt exchange box on a DIY or drive in-drive out basis.
I would chance it and keep driving.
I used to worry about my car breaking down - now I carry my mobile phone and enough cash to cover a tow truck fee, and now i don't worry so much.
Cars cost money - end of story.

Amen max. Anything could happen at any time.

tj 2 12/2002 165ks

Thanks for the tips, i new it was the wave spring but was hoping something else, its about 1/3 of it . I will drive till it breaks , i just dont know how the thing is still going with it broken like it is . If anyone knows someone in Sydney with a cheap 5 speed auto Im interested I have a wrecked tl but has 4 sp maybe i will keep going and surprise me its still very smooth, fingers crossed and yes i always have enough cash for a tow thanks mate.