Worn tranny input pilot bearing surface - easy fix or rebuild?

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Fort Knox

Fort Knox

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The following is on my '95 V6 4Runner w/ the R150F 5-speed w/ 194k miles.

I've got my transmission out to replace a stripped coupler and input gear on my t-case and figured I would replace the clutch while it's all apart. I noticed that the pilot bearing was a bit clicky when I spun it after pulling the flywheel, but didn't think much of it since I would be replacing it anyway. However, upon inspecting the transmission input shaft I noticed that the end of the shaft (where it goes into the pilot bearing) is worn down. I put the new pilot bearing on it and it's definitely not as snug a fit as it should be. So, I guess I should probably replace the tranny input shaft while I have the transmission out or else this could cause some problems down the road. Now for my question:

Can I simply unbolt the cover around the tranny input shaft (inside the bellhousing), pull out the input shaft, and pop in a new one? Or do I need to tear down the whole transmission to replace it, at which point I might as well do a complete rebuild? I'd rather avoid the rebuild since I don't drive the 4Runner much at all, only to 4wheeling events and on rare occasions around town, probably only between 1k and 2k miles per year and the transmission hasn't been exhibiting any problems really (no popping out of gear, no noticeable noise, etc.).

Thoughts? Ideas?
 
I have an R151F in my basement now, all torn apart, it is a very similar tranny inside (the FSM covers both trannys in the same section).

Removing that cover behind the clutch only gains you access to the input shaft seal, and it covers the main bearings on the two primary shafts in the tranny. You can't just yank out the input shaft. In order to remove that portion of the input shaft, the tranny has to come apart, the front half of the case must be removed from the intermediate plate. It looks like you will need to remove at least one shift fork and shaft, for the 3-4 gears. Then I think you can seperate them and remove just the front portion of the input shaft. There is a HUGE bearing pressed onto this shaft, with a snap ring hold it on.

Honestly, you can probably just find another tranny for less than it will cost to get that shaft replaced.

ps: Is this Allen? I believe we wheeled together at GSMTR in 2000.
 
KLF said:
I have an R151F in my basement now, all torn apart, it is a very similar tranny inside (the FSM covers both trannys in the same section).

Removing that cover behind the clutch only gains you access to the input shaft seal, and it covers the main bearings on the two primary shafts in the tranny. You can't just yank out the input shaft. In order to remove that portion of the input shaft, the tranny has to come apart, the front half of the case must be removed from the intermediate plate. It looks like you will need to remove at least one shift fork and shaft, for the 3-4 gears. Then I think you can seperate them and remove just the front portion of the input shaft. There is a HUGE bearing pressed onto this shaft, with a snap ring hold it on.

Honestly, you can probably just find another tranny for less than it will cost to get that shaft replaced.

ps: Is this Allen? I believe we wheeled together at GSMTR in 2000.
Click to expand...


Ken, right? Yep, this is Allen.

I was afraid of that. :censor:
 
2ndGenToyotaFan said:
If it's not causing a problem and you only drive 2k a year.... it'll probably be fine for the next decade or so... What kind of space are we talking about here? Could a sleeve lock compound help out maybe?
Click to expand...

I thought about that. I considered the possibility of just running it as is. I guess the main concern is that it might cause increased wear on the tranny bearings, but would this really be a concern on a vehicle that isn't driven so little?

Along the lines of your 2nd suggestion, I wonder if a machine shop could machine it down, then weld on a sleeve. Of course, they'd have to be able to do this without removing it from the tranny to make it a viable solution, so that might not be possible.....
 
Yeah, but at that point, I'd probably just replace it rather than go that route. Depending on how much the shaft costs, it might not be worth the trouble and paying for the machine shop time.
 
Hey Allen, why not call Marlin ?

He may have seen it before and know of an easy fix (like a speedi-sleeve or something).
 
A call to Marlin is definitely in my future. If there is no easy fix, I may be placing an order while I'm on the phone.
 
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