2003 SSEi transmission questions

[rynmcdonald]

First question:
The bottom bolt hole on the back of the transmission where the mount is, the threads are reemed out. Will a heli coil hold well enough or should I take a tap and thread it for a bigger bolt?

Second question:
I think my spider gears are loose because when I make a left turn, it makes it feel like the tire has raised spots on it making an up-n-down feeling. And upon acceleration it feels wobbly for a moment and goes away. I know it can't be my CV axles as they're new.

All input is appreciated. Thank you

[Sirius]

Personally I would use a Heli-coil. That way you're retaining the same size bolt. When installed properly, a Heli-coil might even be stronger than threading directly in aluminum.

[FiendScurro]

Per your second question, I also get that when turning and accelerating. One aftermarket, one original transaxle. Interested to see what you find.

[rynmcdonald]

My driver side is precision from Oreilly auto parts. Other side is a master pro (which has been discontinued). I hear Master Pro products are junk

[crash93ssei]

Nothing in your transmission will give you any sort of up and down feeling like a tire has raised spots on it. If it feels like the tire has raised spots on it then inspect the tire for raised spots / broken belt.

[rynmcdonald]

Oh? I had it inspected at a tire shop. Rim is not bent and the tire has no pits or raised areas. My brother hit a dead deer and it never did that wobble until after that happened. I think them being loose IS the cause.

[crash93ssei]

Then buy a differential and throw it in, when you're all done and have it back together make sure to come back and tell us how much it didn't fix the problem for you.

There is two possible things going on here in general. #1 your description is not accurate as to what is happening and your spider gears are loose #2 your description is accurate and your spider gears are fine.

Spider gears are inside the differential inside the transmission mounted to the subframe which is mounted to the body. No way in any stretch of the imagination can loose spider gears cause a raising up and lowering down movement while turning or going straight. Loose spider gears will either bind and make awful popping noises or make no noise at all and you won't even know there is a problem.

[MattStrike]

Spider gears in the differential are not going to cause what you're describing. Spider gears being worn out are only going to cause excessive backlash in the differential, a clunk when you start from stop or switch between drive and reverse. If one of the spider gears is cracked or broken, it's going to bind up and cause a momentary skid or "clunk clunk clunk" noise while turning.
I think you would also be one of the only people to have ever had a spider gear issue like this.

If you hit a deer, causing the wobble, you probably broke the bushings in the LCA or broke the LCA, or other mounting point or suspension part. Easy way to check is to put the front end on jack stands, idle it in gear, and turn the wheel to see what's moving that shouldn't be.


Second concern, is how did you strip the threads in the trans mount bolt boss?

[rynmcdonald]

LCAs were replaced. Front bushings on both old arms were loose. For all I know it could be a POS CV axle made by master pro on the passenger side causing this feeling. Have a precision axle on the way. And I know where the spider years are in this transmission as I have rebuilt mine. It could also be that where the shaft is inserted into the transmission, the sleeve could be wallored out. It happened on the last one I replaced.

[00Beast]

So, you're asking us questions, and then telling us that the answer we gave you isn't what you want to hear/what the problem actually is, and giving your own self-diagnostic to the question you asked? What was the point of making this post in the first place?

[rynmcdonald]

So, you're asking us questions, and then telling us that the answer we gave you isn't what you want to hear/what the problem actually is, and giving your own self-diagnostic to the question you asked? What was the point of making this post in the first place?

How do you explain the looseness where the splines go into the passenger side of the transmission? THAT is what I WOULD like to know

[haro1225]

You said you had the tire inspected, but did you swap them side to side and see if the issue moves to the other side?

[MattStrike]

How do you explain the looseness where the splines go into the passenger side of the transmission? THAT is what I WOULD like to know

Because the aftermarket replacement "new" axles have the splined end cut instead of rolled and they don't fit properly. And some of the rebuilds have the same issue, they run it through a spline cutter to 'clean up' the spline which makes them not fit as tightly. The axle fits directly into the differential, it's completely supported by the differential housing, the only other thing that touches it is the seal.

[rynmcdonald]

How do you explain the looseness where the splines go into the passenger side of the transmission? THAT is what I WOULD like to know

Because the aftermarket replacement "new" axles have the splined end cut instead of rolled and they don't fit properly. And some of the rebuilds have the same issue, they run it through a spline cutter to 'clean up' the spline which makes them not fit as tightly. The axle fits directly into the differential, it's completely supported by the differential housing, the only other thing that touches it is the seal.

THANK YOU. What brand is recommended so I don't feel this wobble? I have a precision on order.... I hope it fits snugly. Tired of feeling like a wheel is out of balance, especially on LOOOOONG trips.

[MattStrike]

The only axle that's going to fit correctly is a used/rebuilt OE axle that has the original untouched spline on it, or a new AC Delco axle. The cheap autoparts store axles are just a pile of crap. You're better off contacting Andrew here to get a used OE replacement, or if you have the old axle still put new boots on it and put it back in..

I still don't think the aftermarket axle being loose fitting is causing any of your issues, however there may be some long-term wear to the differential spline. The issue you have, based on the description, is a direct result of the deer hit.