Postby Workshop Help » 18 May 2014 12:43
The one bearing most susceptible to making noise as it wears out is the rear main shaft bearing. Being an open ball bearing protected only by the rear oil seal, road grit gets past the seal to destroy the balls and race. The rest of the internal bearings are protected from road grit but are damaged by the internal swarf that is pumped thru the main shaft by the oil pump.
First question; when was the last time you flushed the gearbox oil?
Second question; how often do you change the gearbox oil?
Third question; how many miles does the gearbox have on it?
Since pulling the LT77 is such a big deal, careful consideration and planning is needed. Removal of the LT77 rear extension is possible without pulling the gearbox off the car, but the working space is constricted. This would allow you to replace the rear main shaft bearing and oil seal as well as clean out the swarf . The oil pump will also be accessible for service.
The worst case scenario is the small front tapered roller main shaft bearing maybe failing. It is this bearing that is in the desperate need for oil being pumped thru the main shaft. Being shielded from the oil splash effect the rest of the much larger bearings receive, any blockage from swarf in the main shaft starves the front bearing causing it to quickly seize then break off the tip of the main shaft.
This is bad. This is expensive. This is the inconvenience one must endure for deferred maintenance. This will require pulling, overhauling, and reinstalling your transmission. It won't be a pretty sight. This is why your dear sweet, ol' Aunt Mildred has been known to severely berate all present to regularly change the engine and gearbox oil to prevent the damaging accumulation of swarf.
Mildred Hargis
