Jim Truett

It's a 1999 V6 Acura CL tranny. It's basically just like a constant mesh manual tranny with hydraulic clutch packs to select the gears. This transmission started slipping badly on a 2nd and 3rd shift. The 2nd gear clutches were worn down to the adhesive that bonds the friction material to the clutch plate. Normal thickness was .079", and these measured in at .050"-.055". The standard free play in the clutch packs is between .015"-.045". With six discs worn between .024"-.029", that combined for about .160" total free play, and made the shifts very harsh.

With the end cover removed:


With the mid case removed:


1/2 clutch drum with clutches removed:


Worn 2nd gear clutches:


Installation of new friction and steel:

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Dunno where you came from, but that is a great set of pics

AznX TL

wow holy shiz that looks complicated.

Jim Truett

I'm just another Honda/Acura guy that thought that these pics might be useful here.

If anyone wants to attempt this themselves, get the Helms shop manual.
Also this kit: Transmission Rebuild Kit

I also replaced all of the needle thrust bearings and the mainshaft case bearings. This car had 111,561 original one owner miles on it, and this wear was mostly caused by improper maintenance.

I put the trans back in my car last Thursday, and had a total of 7 miles on it before I had to rush my mom 40 miles to the Hospital, and I was very hard on the fresh clutches. I am at just over 300 miles now with no issues, it is only getting smoother.

The kit above contains quality Alto clutches and steels.

young03

nice job bro something that all automatic tranny owners should refer to.

Jtbecool

Thank you so much for taking these photos, my 2nd tranny is fine for now, but I think I may one day have to work on the tranny if I keep it for a few more years.

TexasHonda

Approximately how much time to perform this job? The manual procedures are somewhat intimidating, but I have a 97 Acura 2.5TL that I would like to overhaul. Trans shifts fine but the overdrive will not work at all, not a lockup solenoid issue.

regards

thanks

Jim Truett

It was about 2.5 hours for the removal, around 12 hours for the disassembly/clean/reassembly, and about another 2.5 for reinstallation. Just so you know I replaced all of the thrust needle bearings for peace of mind. One of them on the mainshaft was damaged beyond serviceability, and this is a fairly common problem when the shifts get harsh.

subbuzz

4th pic: those were the round things I was talkin about that my guy threw at me!!!!lol

welcome, you seem to know your stuff......

duluoz

^ I remember that
good link, Jim, thanks (they've got kits for lots of makes!)-- and nice pics.

AcAttAcK98

iTrader: (1)

I wish I was a little more mechanically inclined to take this job on myself.. Good Stuff Bro..

Alperovich

good stuff! this is the kind of threads I love to see!

if you don't mind me asking, whats under the tarp?

jfkhan

^^^^I second that...excellent pics.....this is the real stuff guys.....

Jim Truett

'63 Chevy Nova SS built 355/manual valvebody Turbo 350/3.89 geared Currie built Ford 9" weekend cruiser.

davzilla

moar pics of nova plz

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

DaInFaMMuS1

wow thats super helpful to you 3.0 guys! lol now i can see what malfunctions for you guys all the time

purple3.0haze

Sorry to bump this mad old thread, but it has really good pics. I was wondering if the rebuild kit was still available anywhere?

P0401

iTrader: (1)

looks like its still offered in the original link here http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/...-00078001g.htm

fliplyricist1

I'm really wondering how do-able this is for the common diy'er who's pretty mechanically inclined but nowhere near certified status.

rebuild kits are so damn affordable...but really...if tranny shops charge around 1.6-2k for a rebuild, and the time turnaround is about 12 hours, is that 1400-1800 labor cost really justified if it's that easy?

JDMCRX

Hey Guys

Im going to do a DIYer on this in a few weeks so hold on.

I just bought a 1998 acura 3.0CL and the typical slipping 3rd and 4th gear.

Im ordering up the Transmissionsusa parts as there only $198 vs acura at $545

Josh

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

awesome, can't wait to see that

khenglim89

I'm also thinking about doing this sometime soon (my tranny crapped out on me today). I'm getting an estimate of how much it would cost to be installed by a mechanic that is certified. I called one shop and asked how much was it to rebuild the transmission they said $800, then I asked how much would it be if I supplied the rebuild kit they said $800. WTF?

fliplyricist1

jdm: awesome brutha, can't wait myself. If you would be so kind as to provide some pics of the process that would be icing on the cake for innumerable 3.0er's on this forum.


kheng: 800 bucks...that sounds pretty darn cheap. Is that including removal/installation of the tranny or just dropping it off to them and picking it back up? The cheapest quote I got around town was 1500, and that was from a pretty 'sketchy' shop with quite a few bad testimonials...

purple3.0haze

This is timed just right, all us 3.0 guys with stock trans are starting to sweat. i'm at 137,000 n I'm hoping to get another 5-6 k (1 more summer). But I'm gonna ask for the rebuild kit for Christmas, Santa's got the discount parts hookup.

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

My friend has a 99 3.0 CL and the trannt died yesterday at 175k. I found Used tranny for 600$ from part out is it doable to do a tranny swap on a driveway? We got all tools but the problem is that we dont have a lift. What you guys think. We just wanna swap it and sell it.

JDMCRX

Tranny swap in the drive way should be pretty simple. Drop front cross piece axles and pull lines and selected cable and drop on ground with a floor Jack .