I struck gold! (OK, brass), and it aint a good thing Options

[hmeeder]

I pulled my transaxle to replace the main shaft seal. While I was at it, I decided to swap fluid. Just as I drained most of it I shifted the case a bit to get the nooks and crannies emptied. Suddenly a stream of what looked like gold paint dribbled out, followed by some chunks of brass. Something got chewed up.

The bits look a little like they may come from a needle bearing cage? It's been more than 3 years since I had the thing apart and I haven't looked through my photos of the procedure yet. (or my PET disk or my manual, or Jame's rebuild article, that's next) The largest bit in the center is about .25 inch or so.

I'm going to get lazy and ask you guys first! Opinions?

I haven't cracked the case yet, so that's Sunday's project.

[Aaron Cox]

brass parts....

bearing cages....
speedo gear in tail cone...
shift forks....

[bondo]

Ouch! Could be the intermediate plate mainshaft bearing, the brass cages of those frequently fail.. but usually stay in there. Could also be from the case end bearing of either shaft. No matter what, it's bad. Did this trans have any symptoms? Check my classic thread for pics of most of the internals.

(I have many servicable used trans parts.. I'd probably be willing to trade what you need for some 1" wheel spacers..) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif)

[hmeeder]

I'm leaning toward one of these to roller cages. It would also explain the leaking at my main shaft (2 problems solved with one fix, sweet!) and the destruction of the pilot bearing. It would be the lower of the cages on this photo.

Thanks for the offer Royce. I have to dig through my boxes (I think I actually may have one somewhere!) but I'll get back to you.

[maf914]

Herb,

How many miles on that tranny? Just curious when the bearings start braking up, if that is the problem. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/idea.gif)

Good luck with the rebuild.

[bondo]

If it's the bearing I think it is, (upper intermediate plate) it usually dies from lack of lubrication. The other shaft support bearings are either under the fluid level or thoroughly splashed by the ring gear. The upper intermediate plate bearing has a gear on each side of it so it's somewhat blocked from any continuous oil supply. The pump and cooler that I'm adding to my V8 trans will dump the return oil right into the gap between the intermediate plate and second gear on the mainshaft.

[Dr Evil]

Awsome! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smilie_pokal.gif) Now you havea reason to buy the newer, better bearings (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif)

[rick 918-S]

Brad Mayeur stocks Billet Intermediate plates. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif)

[hmeeder]

Alrighty then;

panning for gold looks like this and I don't think it's what anyone wants to see.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/blog-1140927531.jpg)

I pulled some stuff out of a transmission box o' parts and and after some CSI:914 forensics I'm pretty sure that these chunks are not from the intermediate plate bearing cage, (broken bearing cage for comparison.)

I feel more strongly that it is going to be the input shaft roller bearing cage. The bits are the right size and thickness.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/blog-1140927551.jpg)

I have had recent problems with major leakage at the input shaft seal, the flywheel has been nicking the bell housing, the flywheel crush washer has an eccentric hole in the middle (see foto below) and the pilot bearing was so damaged that it had galled to the inside of the crankshaft and had to be chiseled out.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/blog-1140928203.jpg)

All these symptoms point to the main input shaft roller bearing, but I won't really know for sure until I dig a bit deeper tomorrow. Just a SWAG so far. I would be very stoked if it were indeed that bearing cage. That repair would be a breeze compared to anything else, especially as I have a spare laying around.

Mike you asked how many miles. Truth be told, it's a bit hard to tell. I'm on the second odometer and I have rebuilt this tranny once before about 3 years ago (but did not replace that particular bearing.) If I had to guess, the tranny case has about 250,000 miles on it, but these past several years have been hard ones for this trans. I'm not that gentle with it. and it now has to contend with a fairly hairy 2.4 liter motor. I may have also misaligned the input shaft when I re-installed after my newest engine build. I think that may have put some unusual stresses on those bearings and effed them up.

I'll learn more tomorrow!

[hmeeder]

Ok. it's the upper roller bearing cage (the one I wish it wasn't.) Basically have to take the entire gear stack apart to get at it.

Photo of the dicked up bearing. It apparently began to come apart and was pulverized by the ring and pinion.

The messed up bearing (note the end of the cage is missing, eaten by the pinion gear.)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/blog-1140991276.jpg)

What it should look like

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/blog-1140991295.jpg)

And thankfully, the ball cage at the IM plate is intact (synchros still look good too!)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/blog-1140991205.jpg)