Saturn Overdrive Lockwasher & Snap Ring Install

Howdy,
I removed the Saturn to rebuild the D18 on Dorris. That is complete, now for the OD install.

I’m now installing the planetary gear into the t/c and have it torqued. I’ve spent the last 4 hours trying to install the special retaining washer and snap ring. No success. I can’t get the washer to seat correctly. Ive removed the planetary and have no problems getting the washer and snap ring in and out multiple times Once I remount the planetary I’m still unable seat the washer. I can’t get it to seat flat into the grove where the 1/2” drive was inserted.

is there a special trick to this I should know about? I’m at my whits end.

 

the snap ring that looks like a 4 sided star/square, or what not? I remember having to fiddle with it, using both a set of snap ring plies, and either a pick or some forceps, can't remember which I ended up using.

 

Look closely at the star pattern in the nut, and on the back of the retainer washer. That star pattern has to line up so the tab on the retainer fits into one of the recesses in the overdrive.
Once you get those lined up, put a little trans assembly grease on the back of the retainer to hold it in place once you get it in there. Then carefully install the snap ring, it should be able to turn once its in the groove.

 

It's a special kind of Jeep torture. I too spent hours on that minor task with guidance from a seasoned OWF member AND Herm.

 

Well…..I’m not sure if it was the simple act of me posting the question…..or adding the little bit of assembly grease behind the washer…..but as soon As I read ColoJeepGuy’s post, I slid back under Dorris, plopped that washer in, quickly aligned it with a socket extension bar as well as I could. Shoved that stupid snap ring and and it all just went together.

I was out from under the Jeep in 5 minutes.

I’d been messing with that annoying carp since yesterday. And 4 hours today.

well, thanks everyone. I’m sorry I asked such a stupid question……but……I was about to put a hole through my garage door.

Now to figure out why my front driveshaft is somehow too long all of a sudden (starts pulling hair out of head)

 

Yes. Fighting with a transmission on my chest for an hour while replacing one of many clutches...walk down to the store and get a beer...come back and it slips right in.

 

To those of us that have struggled with that task, not a stupid question at all.

 

AA's instruction sheet...not very helpful. This can be a frustrating task!

 

Oh believe me, I do lots of research before I ask a question here. I know how annoying it can be seeing and answer the same questions.

adding the dab of assembly lube I think is what did the trick. But I’m not sure how, as the washer still looked crooked and out of alignment until the snap ring was inserted.

 

Are you sure that the snap ring is fully seated in the groove?

 

X2
As Doug mentioned...be sure the snap ring can be turned within the groove to check that it is installed properly.
You will want to be obsessive / compulsive about checking this, I you have any doubt at all...check it again

 

X3^^^

 

Yep, I got a used overdrive once with a broken tooth on the bowl gear. It was dirty and the broken bowl gear rusty, but it was cheap so I bought it thinking there may be some salvageable parts. Turned out the bowl gear was all that was damaged, everything inside was like new. I am pretty sure the unit came loose from the shaft and that was what broke the tooth on the gear. They will come loose if that snap ring is not seated properly.

 

I've found if you torque it just a tad more the washer will seat properly.

 

Yep, those little bumps on the lock washer have to fit into the grooves of the barrel nut that holds the thing on. Just a little one way or the other and it is a no go.

Always tighten a bit more to align these whether it is the barrel nut in the overdrive, or aligning for the cotter pin on the castle nut on for the drive gear without an overdrive, never loosen to align.

Those weird lock washers can be a challenge to get seated even when all is aligned. I have fiddled with them for hours and then suddenly it will go right in.

 

I appreciate your concern gentleman.

I made damn sure it was all in. I was able to rotate the snap ring 90° in place. It’s seated in there. No doubt.

 

Good luck, and happy wheeling!

 

If you just re-greased it then there may be too much trapped in the splines and it will not compress all the way.

 

Check the vent hole in the slip yoke. If you look o the yoke under the U-join Mt there is a soft plug with a vent hole dead center. It’s common for that hood to get plugged up with dirt or congealed grease. Clean it out and any excess grease should slowly compress out of the hole. That’s not its purpose but should work.