Transmission input shaft wobble

[woytovich]

I am getting ready to put a used H55F into my 40. I'm not planning on rebuilding it but I do want to replace gaskets, seals and front/rear bearings (if necessary).
I pulled the top cover and it looks clean, shfts fine and doesn't seem to make any noise (spinning it by hand).

The input shaft - the shaft that goes from the transmission into the clutch and pilot bearing - has a good amount of wobble to it. I pulled the front bearing retainer and I can move the shaft off axis a good amount.... is this normal/acceptable? Should this shaft be tight? Is this just a matter of replacing the bearing there? If so can I replace it without pulling the shaft itself? I really don't want to tear the tranny apart..

Thanks,
Mark

 

[lehiguy]

I am getting ready to put a used H55F into my 40. I'm not planning on rebuilding it but I do want to replace gaskets, seals and front/rear bearings (if necessary).
I pulled the top cover and it looks clean, shfts fine and doesn't seem to make any noise (spinning it by hand).

The input shaft - the shaft that goes from the transmission into the clutch and pilot bearing - has a good amount of wobble to it. I pulled the front bearing retainer and I can move the shaft off axis a good amount.... is this normal/acceptable? Should this shaft be tight? Is this just a matter of replacing the bearing there? If so can I replace it without pulling the shaft itself? I really don't want to tear the tranny apart..

Thanks,
Mark

You need to replace that bearing. If you don't, you will pop out of first gear, and incur tremendous wear on other parts because of the misalignment. If that bearing is pooped it's pants, you may want to consider checking the rest of them too.

 

[John Smith]

That movement is not normal and because of it I would tear the transmission apart now and go through it before it is in the truck. I would rather rebuild it once than install only to have to pull it again.

 

[woytovich]

That movement is not normal and because of it I would tear the transmission apart now and go through it before it is in the truck. I would rather rebuild it once than install only to have to pull it again.

I have it on good authority that this is the same wobble that exists on a NEW H55F... my source (Cam at IronPig) actually checked 2 of them and they both have the 1/8" wobble...

He agreed that it was not what he expected to find but there it is...

 

[woytovich]

Other comments? Can others verify or disagree with these findings?

 

[grant5127]

The movement is normal....... I see it all the time..... the pilot bearing will maintain integrity in the operation........

 

[lehiguy]

Well, now that you have quantified it with a measurement and described it as "end play", that is a whole different story. It's a roller bearing and they will alway rock a little.

 

[woytovich]

Well, now that you have quantified it with a measurement and described it as "end play", that is a whole different story. It's a roller bearing and they will alway rock a little.

That's what I meant when I said "I can move the shaft off axis". I should have specified that the movement is at the outer end and not the bearing end (other that the movement in the bearing that allows the "end play")

Cool! No rebuild!

 

[kevinmrowland]

Yup, your fine Mark, they all do that, kinda surprising at first, but that is why you should always be sure to replace that little pilot bearing in the back of the crank, they actually do a job.