Gear lash noise under load + gear lever in 2nd moving backward under load pointed me to output shaft walking. Well, I was right......
Pulled motor/trans and first pulled side cover and diff. I caught it right in time as the R&P are still in perfect shape, but there was about 2 MM of for/aft axial play on output shaft. Further dissassembly showed why.
4 point bearing had axial play as well a trashed inner race (on the pinion side). The bearing retainer and pinion shims were beat to hell, and the roller bearing race was spun in the case.
The good news was that the rest of the trans was in great shape! All teeth present and accounted for! Plenty of friction material on synchro bands.
Out she comes! First time drop. Did it in just under 4 hrs by myself!
4 point bearing race
Shims beat to hell
Beat up retainier
This surface should be flat. Look at the trough that had been beat into the retainer by the bearing
Rest of the guts
