Seeking a transmission recommendation.

[celticwarlock]

Greetings.

I have a 2001 SC2 that will need a clutch eventually. While the transmission is out, I'd like to have the differential modified or replaced to avoid having it self-destruct somewhere down the road.

The transmission has no shifting issues or problems of any kind. It has nearly 300,000 miles on it, though, so I'd like to address this one failure point at the very least. Although I could probably deal with it on my own, I will not be doing this myself, as I have other projects that need my immediate attention.

Can anyone recommend a competent shop in eastern PA or anywhere in NJ who can install a limited slip, upgrade the pin, otherwise address the inherent differential issue?

[TomM96]

I'm on Long Island. I never did any Trans work on my saturns.

A guy in my area once offered to do a trans rebuild on my TAAT.

I could maybe contact him (I'm in Bay Shore; Islip area, 1 hr offpeak
driving from NYC). tbhpmciAThotmailDOTcom

[fetchitfido]

Cheaper to just not spin the tires on pavement than rebuild the transmission

If you want to rebuild anything, upgrade/rebuild the shift cables to use heim joints (McMaster 6072K31 on trans end and 6072K154 on the shifter),

I know a few members have documented rebuilding them on here, Waiex191 is the only one I'm thinking of right now. '99 SL2 and a '98 SC2, not sure where in the threads the transmission rebuild comes up but I believe its in one of those 2.

[Waiex191]

Post 174 and on:
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/sho...=230898&page=9

Not sure how common the failure is. Ours was fine at 204K. Probably not worth it unless you are a nut. You don't have to remove the transmission to change the clutch.

[celticwarlock]

Originally Posted by fetchitfido

Cheaper to just not spin the tires on pavement than rebuild the transmission

If you want to rebuild anything, upgrade/rebuild the shift cables to use heim joints (McMaster 6072K31 on trans end and 6072K154 on the shifter),

I know a few members have documented rebuilding them on here, Waiex191 is the only one I'm thinking of right now. '99 SL2 and a '98 SC2, not sure where in the threads the transmission rebuild comes up but I believe its in one of those 2.

I have long known about this, and I've been careful to avoid spinning the tires. I don't drive it hard, but I'd like to be able to get into it now and then without having to worry. This car is semi-retired and garage kept more often than not. I'd like to get it painted and upgrade a few things over time, and this seemed like a sensible modification to make.

At the very least, I'd like to put a new upgraded pin in there. I saw several threads on this subject, but I've yet to see a part number for the beefier pin. Does anyone have one?

Also, I suppose I can just move the transmission back far enough into the wheel well to gain access to the clutch? Will there be enough room to remove the flywheel as well?

[Waiex191]

Originally Posted by celticwarlock

At the very least, I'd like to put a new upgraded pin in there. I saw several threads on this subject, but I've yet to see a part number for the beefier pin. Does anyone have one?

Here you go:
https://sites.google.com/site/hunt4s...n/transmission

You can search for user hunt4steve but I think the pictures on Saturnfans are gone - but the link above works.

Originally Posted by Hunt4Steve

I choose to upgrade the Roll-Pin with a McMaster-Carr Coiled Roll-Pin; part number: 95755A331
This particular part number is an "Extra Strength - Steel" Coiled Roll-Pin. If you live in cold climates, it has been suggested that you not select the "Type 420 Stainless Steel", due to the very hard metal possibly becoming brittle in the cold weather. Thus, I went with the "Steel", which is pretty darn hard, and will server my commuter purposes just fine.

Also, I suppose I can just move the transmission back far enough into the wheel well to gain access to the clutch? Will there be enough room to remove the flywheel as well?

Yep

[celticwarlock]

Excellent!

[ultravioletnk]

Originally Posted by celticwarlock

While the transmission is out, I'd like to have the differential modified or replaced to avoid having it self-destruct somewhere down the road.

for my cars i just bought a pack of 25 replacement roll pins off mcmaster-carr, part no. 91612A241, as per the late oldnuc's advice. the problem with the oem pins is that they're just the "c" shaped spring pins and are made of excessively brittle metal. i like to spin the tires quite a lot and have had no issues with the replacement pins... unfortunately i did throw a diff pin on the transmission that was in phoebe, which i hadn't yet swapped the pin on. i think there is merit to the suggestions of enlarging the hole and putting a larger pin in, but i also don't think it's necessary. the pin fails due to being brittle and breaking into multiple pieces, which can't happen with the coiled spring pins.

as for replacing it, once you take the transmission apart enough to get to the diff, it's dead simple. drive the old one out, marvel that it was still holding while in multiple pieces (every single one i've replaced was) and then drive the new one in.

[celticwarlock]

It is good to hear that this is, essentially, a permanent solution. When the time comes, this is definitely the route I'll be taking, unless I acquire a limited slip unit in the interim.

I had no idea OldNuc passed away. It seems he's passed into legend. His posts will be sought out and quoted for a great many years to come, so long as people drive Saturns.

[ultravioletnk]

Originally Posted by celticwarlock

I had no idea OldNuc passed away. It seems he's passed into legend. His posts will be sought out and quoted for a great many years to come, so long as people drive Saturns.

it is truly a shame, but well, i suppose his username wasn't youngnuc. his advice truly is legend on this forum.

[cgg17]

I will warn that the upgraded pin is not a definite solution, and the same goes for welding the diff pin.
I have blown a trans with a beefed up pin, it lasted maybe a few months of abuse on the turbo car, and I know of a person that has done the same with a trans with a welded pin.

The best solution is to spend the extra coin on a limited slip diff. Ever since I got mine it has been no worries and I never have to think about blowing the trans.

[Waiex191]

Originally Posted by ultravioletnk

i think there is merit to the suggestions of enlarging the hole and putting a larger pin in, but i also don't think it's necessary. the pin fails due to being brittle and breaking into multiple pieces, which can't happen with the coiled spring pins.

What I like about the larger pin in the Hunt4Steve procedure is that it is snug both in the differential housing and in the shaft for the spider gears. Stock, I think it was loose in one or the other, so it can whack back and forth a little bit. With the pin I put in, there is no whacking as it is a nice snug fit on both parts. I actually bought Hunt4Steve's leftover pins and his special drill bit, which I used for the shaft. The special drill bit was too short for the housing but that was soft cast iron so I just used a regular long drill and it drilled nicely.

When I replace the gearbox in my '98 I'll do the diff pin mod.

[cgg17]

Originally Posted by ultravioletnk

which can't happen with the coiled spring pins.

This is not necessarily true, it depends on the hardness of the pin. Generally, the harder the metal, the more brittle it is. Nothing to do with whether or not it is a coil format.