crownovercoke

So my transmission just crapped out... What I was wondering is where is the recommended place to purchase a rebuild kit, and what kit should I buy... I own an 03 TL S. From what I tell an original transmission(No blue paint on bolts) 140K...I was accelerating normally from a dead stop, heard a pop then only grinding... No movement in any gear selection just grinding....

nb_exit9er

All the info we have about tranny swaps. It seems like it's too hard for people to hit the search button. Post like this will not get a response from members just to let you know.

crownovercoke

I did hit the search button.... I DONT WANT TO PAY FOR AN TRANNY SWAP. I WANT TO REBUILD MY TRANSMISSION. After reading countless threads my question remains unanswered... Please read my thread.

Nicks2001tl

I haven't heard of anybody rebuilding there own transmission on any forums or threads.., I'm assuming you are attempting to do it yourself. If you have that skill go for it. Somebody mentioned sonax parts.

Hope that helps. Good Luck!

Karanx7

iTrader: (2)

Well... IF YOU HAVE TO ASK WHERE TO BUY A REBUILD KIT, YOU PROBABLY SHOULDN'T DO IT YOURSELF. Good luck either way

Gil'sUA5

^^^^ this.

3.2TLc

Check with the local tranny rebuilders for their advice. Sonax is a choice to research.
Do ya have access to all the appropriate specialty tools necessary to take on this tedious task ?

Have ya checked the axles yet ? If not, check them !!!

Ya may want to consider dropping in an AV6 tranny, which would be much less labor intensive and not much more money than a complete rebuild kit. The AV6 could possibly outlast any rebuild attempt on our TL's original problematic trannys.

Yikes

There is a very skilled group of individuals who rebuild transmissions. If you want to rebuild it yourself... good luck.

Not sure about the cost of a kit but assuming you do it correctly there is another failure in your future. Rebuilding the transmission doesn't address the reason why it failed in the first place. (The actual reason it failed, simply put, is because it is a crappy design.) You're just building it back up to fail again.

You should honestly save yourself the money and headache and look into the av6 swap.

fsttyms1

Dont think of it as a swap, Its really not. Its not a swap like a 6 speed swap. Its a direct bolt on (other than changing a few sensors) Plus, It will cost about the same AND it will be FAR more reliable.

A few have rebuilt their trans (myself included). Sonax and OEM parts are what i have seen used by others.

TLer trash

Check your cv axles. Either one breaking would cause your symptoms. It happened to someone here less than a month ago.

crownovercoke

Wow... I did not know transmissions scared so many people... I have rebuilt transmissions before but not an acura. My questions were not that I dont know where to get one but if anyone had any preferred online shops... I have not seen so many "car enthusiasts" who feel a transmission rebuild is a daunting task...

3.2TLc

Unfortunately, many of us enthusiasts lack the precise level of skill and tools necessary to consider tackling such a complex chore of rebuilding our junk trannys, even if one so desired to attempt it.

This is especially true to most enthusiasts.....when a proven and simpler cost effective resolution is readily available with the better designed and more durable AV6 replacement being a viable option for our ailing TL trannys.

Consider yourself gifted..... in your situation basically it's all in your value of time and skill involved with the task, so.....good luck and maybe ya can possibly help enlighten some of us to help make sense of this truly daunting job. "thanks" !!! Keep us posted.

fsttyms1

We (well im not) arent saying its a daunting task, just that its a waste of money. It will fail again. They fail not because of faulty parts, but a faulty design internally. IF you do go about rebuilding it you will find that its much like their manual transmissions, a 3 shaft design.

victus1

EricTheCarGuy rebuilt the TL tranny himself. He had problems soon after installing it. Check out his youtube vid on this. If he can't do it right, not many can.

fsttyms1

Im sure he did it right, but the trans is just a bad design. Over the years here i have seen replacement trans die leaving the dealer lot. I did it right and it only lasted about 35k. Aamco did it and it only lasted 24k, Acura did it 3 (at least 2 were before extended warranty and were new units) times and they all lasted 30-70k.

ErickUa5

Here's your guy check out the Honda section to learn more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbVmrwD8QT8


Here's the updated parts from sonnax
http://www.sonnax.com/units/341-Honda-Acura-5-Speed


Heres another thread from another site and from here:
http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2506110
https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-problems-fixes-117/my-1st-attemp-diy-tranny-rebuild-846440/#post13588635




I was rebuilding my own but unfortunately my house caught fire recently so I only got to the teardown and never put it back together.
You must find the failure point and replace what's worn or broken.
Hope it helps and good luck.

ErickUa5

That's a really good video, but he never went into the valve body, That's where the culprit is.
He also shows one of the clutch packs and it didn't look worn out.

3.2TLc

So, have ya had time to check the drive axles yet ?

Yikes

I believe it was his Odyssey transmission that he replaced the clutch pack in.

Though, he said when he was working at the Acura dealer, he would replace 2-3 transmissions per day on the TLs when they were having their problems.

He said that at the dealer they never really cracked open the transmissions because it was faster and easier just to replace them.

Honda builds their automatic transmissions very similarly to their manuals. In fact, no other manufacturer builds an automatic transmission quite like Honda.